Multilocus phylogeny of the widely distributed South American lizard clade Eulaemus (Liolaemini, Liolaemus). (15th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olave, Melisa; Avila, Luciano J.; Sites, Jack W.; Morando, Mariana
• Is Part Of: Zoologica scripta. Volume 43:Number 4(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 337
• Publication Date: 2014-04-15
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3256

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="zsc12053-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The lizard genus <italic>Liolaemus</italic> and different clades within it have been the focus of several recent phylogenetic studies mainly based on morphology and mtDNA. Although there is general consensus for recognizing two clades (subgenera) within the genus, [<italic>Liolaemus</italic> (<italic>sensu stricto</italic>) and <italic>Eulaemus</italic>], phylogenetic relationships within each subgenus remain difficult to elucidate, given incomplete taxonomic sampling and large discordance between published studies. Here, new phylogenetic relationships for the <italic>Eulaemus</italic> subgenus are proposed based on the largest molecular data set ever used for this clade, which includes 188 individuals and 14 loci representing different parts of the genome (mtDNA, anonymous nuclear loci and nuclear protein‐coding loci). This data set was analysed using two species tree approaches (*<sc>beast</sc> and MDC). Levels of discordance among methods were found, and with previously published studies, but results are robust enough to propose new phylogenetic hypotheses for the <italic>Eulaemus</italic> clade. Specifically well‐resolved and well‐supported novel hypotheses are provided within the <italic>lineomaculatus</italic> section, and we formally recognize the <italic>zullyae</italic> clade, the <italic>sarmientoi</italic> clade and the <italic>hatcheri</italic> group. We also resolve species relationships within the <italic>montanus</italic> section, and particularly within the <italic>melanops</italic> series. We found discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear trees and discussed alternative hypotheses for the <italic>lineomaculatus</italic> and <italic>montanus</italic> sections, as well as the challenge in resolving phylogenetic relationships for large clades in general.</p> </abstract>