Hidden diversity within the lizard genus Liolaemus: genetic vs morphological divergence in the L. rothi complex (Squamata:Liolaeminae)

Currently, Liolaemus is the second most species-rich reptile genus in the world (257 species), and predictions of its real diversity suggest that it may be the most diverse genus. Originally, Liolaemus species were described as widely distributed and morphologically variable taxa, but extensive sampling in previously unexplored geographic areas, coupled with molecular and more extensive morphological studies, have discovered an unexpectedly high number of previously undetected species.

Here, we study the level of molecular vs. morphological divergence within the L. rothi complex, combining a total of 14 loci (2 mitochondrial and 12 nuclear loci) for 97 individuals, as well as morphological data (nine morphometric and 15 color pattern variables), that represent all six described species of the L. rothi complex, plus two candidate species. We use the multi-coalescent species delimitation program iBPP and resolve strong differences in molecular divergence; and each species is inferred a...

平鳍蜥属（Liolaemus）是全球物种丰富度第二高的爬行动物属（共计257种），针对其真实多样性的预测结果显示，该属或为全球物种多样性最高的爬行动物类群。最初，平鳍蜥属物种被归类为分布广泛、形态变异丰富的类群，但通过对此前未被勘探的地理区域开展大规模采样，并结合分子生物学研究与更全面的形态学分析，科研人员发现了数量远超预期的此前未被记录的新物种。

本研究针对罗氏平鳍蜥复合群（L. rothi complex）内的分子分化与形态分化水平展开探究，共纳入覆盖该复合群全部6个已描述物种及2个候选物种的97份个体样本，结合总计14个基因位点（2个线粒体位点与12个核基因位点）的序列数据，以及9个形态测量变量与15个体色图案变量的形态学数据。本研究使用多溯祖物种界定程序iBPP（multi-coalescent species delimitation program），解析出了显著的分子分化差异；且每个物种被推断为...