Diversification and cryptic diversity of Ophisops elegans (Sauria, Lacertidae). (28th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montgelard, Claudine; Behrooz, Roozbeh; Arnal, Véronique; Asadi, Atefeh; Geniez, Philippe; Kaboli, Mohammad
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoological systematics and evolutionary research. Volume 58:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 1276
• Page End: 1289
• Publication Date: 2020-02-28
• Subjects: biogeographical scenario -- candidate species -- mitochondrial COI -- nuclear genes -- phylogeography; Animals -- Classification -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 578.012
• DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12369
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-5745

Abstract

Abstract: Revealing cryptic diversity constitutes the backbone of the future identification and description of a new lineage. For the genus Ophisops (Lacertidae), previous studies indicated that this genus is characterized by cryptic diversity as three clades were obtained for O. elegans and O. occidentalis that do not fit the classical systematics. Notably, we were interested to delineate the distribution range of the two clades of O. elegans described in Iran. We sequenced 65 individuals of Ophisops mainly from northwestern Iran for one mitochondrial ( cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [ COI ]; 686 base pairs [bp]) and three nuclear genes ( R35, MC1R, and PKM2 ; 1, 857 bp). Phylogeographic analysis from mitochondrial and nuclear genes confirmed that Iranian samples belong to two major haplogroups (divergence of 13% for COI ) that are also split into several subclades (divergence of 6%–10% for COI ), revealing an unsuspected diversity within Iranian Ophisops . Divergence dating and biogeographical analysis indicated that most clades arose through vicariance and dispersal processes during the Mio‐Pliocene (between 7.2 and 1 Myr). However, a scenario of expansion/regression is also advocated for explaining the distribution and contact between three subclades in North Iran. We propose to recognize the three major clades as three potential candidate species. Moreover, we found some correspondence between several phylogenetic clades or subclades identified and six of the nine subspecies described for O. elegans . Both species and subspecies delimitation and identification would deserve additional investigations (including morphology, ecology, biogeography, and behavior) to fulfill the conditions of integrative taxonomy. Abstract : Cryptic diversity among the Saharo‐Arabian Snake‐eyed lizards (genus Ophisops ) was detected through sequencing of one mitochondrial ( cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ) and three nuclear ( R35, MC1R, and PKM2 ) genes. Notably, three main phylogeographic groups highly structured are observed among which two are found in western Iran. Based on these results, we propose to recognize the three major haplogroups as three potential candidate species. Moreover, some correspondence was evidenced between several phylogenetic clusters and six of the nine subspecies described for Ophisops elegans .