Genetic divergence between and within two subspecies of Laudakia stellio on islands in the Greek Cyclades

Author: Brammah Martin   Hoffman Joseph I.   Amos William  

Publisher: British Herpetological Society

ISSN: 0268-0130

Source: The Herpetological Journal, Vol.20, Iss.2, 2010-04, pp. : 91-98

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Abstract

The study of genetic differentiation between allopatric island populations should ideally account for regional palaeogeography, as this can often help to explain current distribution patterns. Here we present a study of two subspecies of the lizard Laudakia stellio in the Greek Cyclades, an excellent model for studying vicariant speciation over a relatively short geological timescale: L. s. stellio on the islands of Mykonos and Delos; and L. s. daani on Paros and Naxos. Using AFLP techniques, we demonstrate a high degree of genetic differentiation both between and within the two subspecies, and relate this to the known palaeogeography of this region. Our results suggest that the genetic differences between the populations of the two subspecies can be explained by a more recent colonization of Paros and Naxos by L. s. daani, with L. s. stellio having been established in the Cyclades for a longer period of time.

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