Variability of the mc1r gene in melanic and non-melanic Podarcis lilfordi and Podarcis pityusensis from the Balearic archipelago.

ABSTRACT: The association between polymorphism at the mc1r locus and colour variation was studied in two wall lizard species (Podarcis lilfordi and P. pityusensis) from the Balearic archipelago. Podarcis lilfordi comprises several deep mitochondrial lineages, the oldest of which originated in the Pliocene, while much shallower mitochondrial lineages are found in P. pityusensis. Here, we examined whether specific substitutions were associated with the melanic colouration found in islet populations of these species. Homologous nuclear sequences covering most of the mc1r gene were obtained from 73 individuals from melanic and non-melanic Podarcis from different populations (the entire gene was also sequenced in six selected individuals). MtDNA gene trees were also constructed and used as a framework to

SUBMITTER: Buades JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3538740 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature