The distribution and biogeography of slow worms (Anguis, Squamata) across the Western Palearctic, with an emphasis on secondary contact zones

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Daniel Jablonski ◽  
Neftalí Sillero ◽  
Oleksandra Oskyrko ◽  
Adriana Bellati ◽  
Andris Čeirāns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Grey Zone ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
Southern Balkans

Abstract The slow-worm lizards (Anguis) comprise five species occurring throughout most of the Western Palearctic. Although these species are relatively uniform morphologically – with the exception of A. cephallonica, which exhibits a quite unique morphology – they are genetically deeply divergent. Here, we provide detailed distribution maps for each species and discuss their biogeography and conservation based on updated genetic data and a robust distribution database. We pay particular attention to the so called ‘grey zone’, which typically represents secondary contact zones and in some cases confirmed or presumed hybrid zones. Four of the five species live in parapatry, while only two species, A. cephallonica and A. graeca from the southern Balkans occur in partial sympatry. Further research should focus on the eco-evolutionary interactions between species in contact, including their hybridization rates, to reveal deeper details of the slow-worm evolutionary and natural history.

scholarly journals The distributions of the six species constituting the smooth newt species complex (Lissotriton vulgaris sensu lato and L. montandoni) – an addition to the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Wielstra ◽  
Daniele Canestrelli ◽  
Milena Cvijanović ◽  
Mathieu Denoël ◽  
Anna Fijarczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Genomic Data ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Sister Species ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Smooth Newt ◽  
Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽  
Constituent Species ◽  
Distribution Ranges

Abstract The ‘smooth newt’, the taxon traditionally referred to as Lissotriton vulgaris, consists of multiple morphologically distinct taxa. Given the uncertainty concerning the validity and rank of these taxa, L. vulgaris sensu lato has often been treated as a single, polytypic species. A recent study, driven by genetic data, proposed to recognize five species, L. graecus, L. kosswigi, L. lantzi, L. schmidtleri and a more restricted L. vulgaris. The Carpathian newt L. montandoni was confirmed to be a closely related sister species. We propose to refer to this collective of six Lissotriton species as the smooth newt or Lissotriton vulgaris species complex. Guided by comprehensive genomic data from throughout the range of the smooth newt species complex we 1) delineate the distribution ranges, 2) provide a distribution database, and 3) produce distribution maps according to the format of the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe, for the six constituent species. This allows us to 4) highlight regions where more research is needed to determine the position of contact zones.

scholarly journals A revision of the green Anoles of Hispaniola with description of eight new species (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae)

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunther Köhler ◽  
S. Blair Hedges
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Zoological Nomenclature ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Dichotomous Key ◽  
Molecular Genetic Data

We revise the species of green anoles (i.e., the species related to Anolis aliniger, A. chlorocyanus, and A. coelestinus) occuring on Hispaniola. Based on our analyses of morphological and molecular genetic data we recognize 16 species of green anoles, eight of which we describe as new species (A. apletolepis sp. nov., A. chlorodius sp. nov., A. divius sp. nov., A. eladioi sp. nov., A. gonavensis sp. nov., A. leucodera sp. nov., A. prasinorius sp. nov. and A. viridius sp. nov.) and three of which are raised from subspecific to species level (A. cyanostictus, A. demissus and A. pecuarius) and one is resurrected from synonymy with A. chlorocyanus (A. peynadoi). Because the six syntypes of A. chlorocyanus (MNHN 785, 787, 2007.2066–09) are conspecific with the only available syntype of A. coelestinus (i.e., MCZ 3347), we have petitioned the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) to use its plenary power to set aside the type status of the syntypes of Anolis chlorocyanus and to allow the designation of a neotype in order to stabilize the current and long established usage of the names A. chlorocyanus and A. coelestinus. For each species we provide a standardized description of external morphology, color descriptions in life, color photographs in life, description and illustration of hemipenis morphology (if available), distribution maps based on the specimens examined, comments on the conservation status, and natural history notes. Finally, we provide a dichotomous key for the identification of the 16 species of green anoles occuring on Hispaniola.

scholarly journals A revision of the genus Audantia of Hispaniola with description of four new species (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae)

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunther Köhler ◽  
Caroline Zimmer ◽  
Kathleen McGrath ◽  
S. Blair Hedges
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
External Morphology ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Dichotomous Key

We revise the species of Audantia, a genus of dactyloid lizards endemic to Hispaniola. Based on our analyses of morphological and genetic data we recognize 14 species in this genus, four of which we describe as new species (A. aridius sp. nov., A. australis sp. nov., A. higuey sp. nov., and A. hispaniolae sp. nov.), and two are resurrected from the synonymy of A. cybotes (A. doris comb. nov., A. ravifaux comb. nov.). Also, we place Anolis citrinellus Cope, 1864 in the synonymy of Ctenonotus distichus (Cope, 1861); Anolis haetianus Garman, 1887 in the synonymy of Audantia cybotes (Cope, 1863); and Anolis whitemani Williams, 1963 in the synonymy of Audantia saxatilis (Mertens, 1938). Finally, we designate a lectotype for Anolis cybotes Cope, 1863, and for Anolis riisei Reinhardt & Lütken, 1863. Our main focus is on the populations of anoles formerly referred to as Audantia cybotes which we demonstrate to be a complex of seven distinct species. For these seven species we provide a standardized description of external morphology, color descriptions in life, color photographs in life, description and illustration of hemipenis morphology (if available), distribution maps based on the specimens examined, comments on the conservation status, and natural history notes. Finally, we provide a dichotomous key for the identification of the 14 species of the genus Audantia occuring on Hispaniola.

scholarly journals Landscape resistance constrains hybridization across contact zones in a reproductively and morphologically polymorphic salamander

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Velo-Antón ◽  
André Lourenço ◽  
Pedro Galán ◽  
Alfredo Nicieza ◽  
Pedro Tarroso
Keyword(s):  
Contact Zone ◽  
Environmental Heterogeneity ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Landscape Resistance ◽  
Phenotypic Differentiation ◽  
Contact Zones

AbstractExplicitly accounting for phenotypic differentiation together with environmental heterogeneity is crucial to understand the evolutionary dynamics in hybrid zones. Species showing intra-specific variation in phenotypic traits that meet across environmentally heterogeneous regions constitute excellent natural settings to study the role of phenotypic differentiation and environmental factors in shaping the spatial extent and patterns of admixture in hybrid zones. We studied three environmentally distinct contact zones where morphologically and reproductively divergent subspecies of Salamandra salamandra co-occur: the pueriparous S. s. bernardezi that is mostly parapatric to its three larviparous subspecies neighbours. We used a landscape genetics framework to: (i) characterise the spatial location and extent of each contact zone; (ii) assess patterns of introgression and hybridization between subspecies pairs; and (iii) examine the role of environmental heterogeneity in the evolutionary dynamics of hybrid zones. We found high levels of introgression between parity modes, and between distinct phenotypes, thus demonstrating the evolution to pueriparity alone or morphological differentiation do not lead to reproductive isolation between these highly divergent S. salamandra morphotypes. However, we detected substantial variation in patterns of hybridization across contact zones, being lower in the contact zone located on a topographically complex area. We highlight the importance of accounting for spatial environmental heterogeneity when studying evolutionary dynamics of hybrid zones.

scholarly journals What could be the fate of secondary contact zones between closely related plant species?

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina K. Schnitzler ◽  
Caroline Turchetto ◽  
Marcelo C. Teixeira ◽  
Loreta B. Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Related Plant

Romanian Species of Lucanids (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae) in the Collections of “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-184
Author(s):  
Melania Stan
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
National Museum ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Stag Beetles

Abstract The seven species of stag beetles of the Romanian fauna are present in the coleopteran collection of the Museum: Aesalus scarabaeoides scarabaeoides (Panzer), Ceruchus chrysomelinus (Hochenwarth), Sinodendron cylindricum (Linnaeus), Lucanus cervus cervus (Linnaeus), Platycerus caraboides caraboides (Linnaeus), Platycerus caprea (De Geer) and Dorcus parallelipipedus (Linnaeus). Information on the collecting data and distribution maps are given for each species. We present the male and female habitus for the two species of Platycerus.

Knowledge and Power: Rumphius’Ambonese HerbalandAmbonese Curiosity Cabinetas Colonial Contact Zones

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-470
Author(s):  
Esther Helena Arens ◽  
Charlotte Kießling
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Early Modern ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Scientific Content ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Aesthetic Form ◽  
Colonial Contact

The early modern books on Ambonese natural history by G.E. Rumphius have mostly been analysed for their aesthetic form and scientific content. However, with the concept of contact zones as introduced by M.L. Pratt, these texts can also be read as historical sources about colonialism and slavery in the late seventeenth-century Moluccas. This article explores the traces of colonialism and slavery in Rumphius’Ambonese Herbal(1740ff.) and theAmbonese Curiosity Cabinet(1705).

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