3 research outputs found
Spatial, Ontogenetic, and Sexual Effects on the Diet of a Teiid Lizard in Arid South America
Genetic and ecological data reveal species boundaries between viviparous and oviparous lizard lineages
Identification of cryptic species is an essential aim for conservation biologists to avoid premature extinctions of âunrecognizedâ
species. Integrating different types of data can undoubtedly aid in resolving the issue of species delimitation. We studied here
two lineages of the common lizard Zootoca vivipara that display different reproductive mode (the viviparous Z. v. vivipara and the
oviparous Z. v. carniolica) and that overlap their distributional ranges in the European Alps. With the purpose of delimiting
speciesâ boundaries, we analyzed their ecological, genetic and natural history features. More than 300 samples were collected
and analyzed at cytochrome b and 11 microsatellites loci for investigating genetic variation, population structure, individual
relatedness and evolutionary histories of the two lineages. Additionally, we compared their ecological niches using eight
ecological variables. Genetic data showed contrasting patterns of genetic structure between the two lineages, different
demographic dynamics and no hybridization events. Also strong ecological differences (such as temperature) emerged between
the two lineages, and niche overlap was limited. Taken together, these results indicate that Z. v. vivipara and Z. v. carniolica
should be recognized as two separate species, and particular conservation consideration should be given to the oviparous lineage
that tends to live in areas threatened by increasing impact of human activities. However, recent and rapid climate warming
might determine an increasing risk for the persistence of the viviparous lineage, being adapted to cold environment