Repeated evolution of blanched coloration in a lizard across independent white‐sand habitats. Issue 12 (7th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laurentino, Telma G.; Dittmer, Drew E.; Grundler, Maggie R.; Pina‐Martins, Francisco; Haddock, Janey; Hibbitts, Toby J.; Rosenblum, Erica Bree
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 12:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-07
• Subjects: convergence -- evolution -- Holbrookia maculata -- lizard -- MC1R -- parallelism -- phenotype -- Salt Basin dunes -- White Sands; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: The White Sands lizards of New Mexico are a rare and classic example of convergent evolution where three species have evolved blanched coloration on the white gypsum dunes. Until now, no geological replicate of the pattern had been described. However, one of the White Sands species, the lesser earless lizard ( Holbrookia maculata ), has been discovered to also inhabit the Salt Basin Dunes of Texas, where it has also evolved a blanched morph. We here present a first phenotypic and genetic description of the Salt Basin Dunes population of H. maculata . Phylogenetic inference based on a housekeeping gene (ND4) and a classic candidate gene in the melanin‐synthesis pathway (Melanocortin 1 Receptor; Mc1r ) shows the newly discovered population as an independent lineage, with no evidence of genetic parallelism in the coding region of Mc1r . Initial morphological data suggest that while this population displays convergent evolution in blanched coloration, there are divergent patterns in limb length and habitat use behavior between the gypsum environments. Our findings present the White Sands/Salt Basin Dunes as an exceptionally promising comparative model for studies of adaptation and convergent evolution. Abstract : The White Sands lizards of New Mexico are a rare and classic example of convergent evolution where three species have evolved blanched coloration on the white gypsum dunes. We present a geological replicate where the lesser earless lizard ( Holbrookia maculata ) has also evolved a blanched morph. We present a first phenotypic and genetic description of the Salt Basin Dunes population of H. maculata . The population seems to constitute and independent genetic lineage and despite convergence in dorsal coloration, we find divergence in other traits.