Liolaemus is an extremely species rich genus of iguanid lizards from southern South America. Most of the diversity though is found in the Andes Cordillera, between Argentina and Chile. Here we describe Liolaemus ubaghsi sp. nov., from El Teniente Mine, in the Andean mountains of the O'Higgins Region in Chile. This species presents scalation and pattern traits that belong to the leopardinus clade, a group of viviparous, high altitude lizards that inhabit the mountain ranges surrounding Santiago City. The species of this clade in turn belong to the Andean and Patagonian elongatus-kriegi complex. Liolaemus ubaghsi sp. nov. has been previously recognized as L. leopardinus and L. elongatus, nevertheless we present diagnostic traits that allow us to describe it as a new species. It mainly differs from the rest of the leopardinus clade (L. leopardinus, L. ramonensis, L. valdesianus and L. frassinettii) by having the following unique combination of traits: ochre background coloration, a wide dark occipital stripe, dark flanks, white dots dispersed on the dorsum, absence of leopard-like spots and enlarged infralabial scales.
Artículo de publicación ISIAim The Chilean long-tailed snake (Philodryas chamissonis) has a wide
distribution across different latitudes and ecosystems in Chile ranging from the
south of the Atacama Desert (26 S) to the extremely humid Valdivian temperate
rain forest (40 S). Throughout this vast distribution, which is isolated by the
Andes mountain range on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west, there are
biogeographical boundaries and large geographical barriers that must have played
an important role in the distribution of genetic diversity within this species. This
study aimed at elucidating the evolutionary history of P. chamissonis in Chile by
analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences.
Location Chile (29 41¢–38 23¢ S).
Methods We extracted DNA from 66 tissue samples collected across different
latitudes and amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial DNA control region and
the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene for phylogenetic and population
analysis.
Results Four distinct haplogroups were identified for P. chamissonis. These are
highly consistent with a latitudinal geographic pattern, different ecosystems and
the increase in topography towards central Chile. Three of the four haplogroups
are concentrated in central Chile (33 S latitude) where the highest herpetofaunal
diversity of the country is found. The Maipo River acts as historical geographical
barrier for the species influenced by Pleistocene glaciation cycles, leading to a
marked phylogeographical boundary. A strong population structure was found
for the species (Ust = 0.78, P < 0.0001), with a high haplotype diversity
(h = 0.97 ± 0.01) and nucleotide diversity (p = 0.0151 ± 0.0077).
Main conclusions At least three evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) were
designated for the species, and these should be taken into account for
conservation plans. Three of the four haplogroups found within P. chamissonis
are already threatened because their distribution along central Chile overlaps with
most of the largest cities in the country
Evolution of montane species may be strongly influenced by climate oscillations, particularly species distributed in isolated high-elevation areas (sky islands). Chilean topography is exemplified by montane environments including the Andesand CoastalMountains. To test hypotheses related to genetic divergence associated with sky islands, we explored population genetics and phylogenetic signatures in the montane lizard Liolaemus nigroviridis Müller and Hellmich 1932. We sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b for samples collected from six montane areas in central Chile. We found high genetic divergence among populations, congruent with well-supported clades from phylogeny reconstructions. The most recent common ancestor of all samples of L. nigroviridis was dated around the limit of Pliocene-Pleistocene (2.7 Mya), congruent with early vicariance of Andean and coastal populations. Deep lineage divergences suggest that allopatric populations accumulated high nucleotide differences and maintained long periods without gene exchange. We discuss potential taxonomic revisions considering relative genetic divergence.
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