The phylogeny of the Eremias velox complex of the Iranian Plateau and Central Asia (Reptilia, Lacertidae): Molecular evidence from ISSR-PCR fingerprints

Document Type : Research articles

Author

ESKANDAR RASTEGAR POUYANI

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tarbiat Moallem University of Sabzevar, P.O.Bax, 397, Iran

10.22067/ijab.2009.44234

Abstract

The rapid fringe-toed lizard, Eremias velox, is widely distributed in the Iranian plateau and Central Asia. Several local morphotypes have so far been reported from different parts of its range, representing this taxon as a species complex. In an attempt to reveal phylogenetic relationships among various populations of this complex group, 37 specimens from 13 geographically distant localities in Iran and central Asia, covering most parts of its range, were sampled. Using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat amplification (ISSR-PCR) as a molecular marker, whole the nuclear genome of all specimens was screened. Phylogenetic analysis of the prepared data set successfully recovered seven major clades within the E. velox complex. Relationships among the major clades were highly resolved with remarkable statistical supports and well correspond to the geographic distribution of the populations. The reconstructed phylogeny implies that the clade as a whole has been originated in the Iranian plateau and expanded into central Asia before uplifting the Kopet-Dagh Mountains. It has then undergone a rapid cladogenesis in the latter area and produced several morphotypes. Within the Iranian clades two main groups could be defined, the foothill and highland dwellers and the open plane and desert dweller populations. The phylogenetic tree together with the estimated amounts of genetic distances among the independent lineages, provide good grounds for a fundamental revision of the taxonomic status of the Eremias velox complex.

Keywords

Central Asia

Eremias velox

Iranian Plateau

ISSR-PCR

Phylogeny

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