Phylogeography and population genetic structure of the Ornate Dragon Lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus.

ABSTRACT: Species inhabiting ancient, geologically stable landscapes that have been impacted by agriculture and urbanisation are expected to have complex patterns of genetic subdivision due to the influence of both historical and contemporary gene flow. Here, we investigate genetic differences among populations of the granite outcrop-dwelling lizard Ctenophorus ornatus, a phenotypically variable species with a wide geographical distribution across the south-west of Western Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data revealed two distinct evolutionary lineages that have been isolated for more than four million years within the C. ornatus complex. This evolutionary split is associated with a change in dorsal colouration of the lizards from deep brown or black to reddish-pink. I

SUBMITTER: Levy E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3462208 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature