Progressive colonization and restricted gene flow shape island-dependent population structure in Galapagos marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) inhabit the coastlines of large and small islands throughout the Galápagos archipelago, providing a rich system to study the spatial and temporal factors influencing the phylogeographic distribution and population structure of a species. Here, we analyze the microevolution of marine iguanas using the complete mitochondrial control region (CR) as well as 13 microsatellite loci representing more than 1200 individuals from 13 islands.

Results

CR data show that marine iguanas occupy three general clades: one that is widely distributed across the northern archipelago, and likely spread from east to west by way of the South Equatorial current, a second that is found mostly on the older eastern and central islands, and a third tha

SUBMITTER: Steinfartz S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2807874 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature