Phylogeographic analyses point to long-term survival on the spot in micro-endemic Lycian salamanders

Abstract

Lycian salamanders (genus Lyciasalamandra) constitute an exceptional case of microendemism of an amphibian species on the Asian Minor mainland. These viviparous salamanders are confined to karstic limestone formations along the southern Anatolian coast and some islands. We here study the genetic differentiation within and among 118 populations of all seven Lyciasalamandra species across the entire genus' distribution. Based on circa 900 base pairs of fragments of the mitochondrial 16SrDNA and ATPase genes, we analysed the spatial haplotype distribution as well as the genetic structure and demographic history of populations. We used 253 geo-referenced populations and CHELSA climate data to infer species distribution models which we projected on climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Within all but one species, distinct phyloclades were identified, which only in parts matched current taxonomy. Most haplotypes (78%) were private to single populations. Sometimes population genetic parameters showed contradicting results, although in several cases they indicated recent population expansion of phyloclades. Climatic suitability of localities currently inhabited by salamanders was significantly lower during the LGM compared to recent climate. All data indicated a strong degree of isolation among Lyciasalamandra populations, even within phyloclades. Given the sometimes high degree of haplotype differentiation between adjacent populations, they must have survived periods of deteriorated climates during the Quaternary on the spot. However, the alternative explanation of male biased dispersal combined with a pronounced female philopatry can only be excluded if independent nuclear data confirm this result.

More evidence of cryptic diversity in Anatololacerta species complex Arnold, Arribas and Carranza, 2007 (Squamata: Lacertidae) and re-evaluation of its current taxonomy

“…Rapid speciation has already been proposed for the entire family of Lacertidae (Fu, 2000;Pavlicev and Mayer, 2009;Mendes et al, 2016). A similar case was recently suggested for Lyciasalamandra that has a similar range of distribution and species/genetic diversity (Veith et al, 2016(Veith et al, , 2020. Recent and rapid radiation phenomena are often the reason of failure to recover a wellsupported phylogeny since little time exists for the evolved characters to sort to species.…”

Slow and steady wins the race: contrasted phylogeographic signatures in two Alpine amphibians

“…This runs against the classic prediction of stronger phylogeographic breaks in slow-moving habitat specialists (Peterson & Denno 1998;Carnaval 2002;Rodríguez et al 2015;Zamudio et al 2016). Moreover, old-world salamanders are usually prone to micro-endemism, for example, Salamandra salamandra in the Iberian Peninsula (9 subspecies, Vences et al 2014), Salamandra algira in the Maghreb (4 subspecies, Merabet et al 2016), Lyciasalamandra in southwestern Turkey (7 species along <300 km of coastline, Veith et al 2020). Even S. atra did evolve in isolation elsewhere (e.g.…”

“…2016), Lyciasalamandra in southwestern Turkey (7 species along <300 km of coastline, Veith et al . 2020). Even S. atra did evolve in isolation elsewhere (e.g.…”

Landscape Connectivity Limits the Predicted Impact of Fungal Pathogen Invasion

“…Extinction would be a function of extirpation at the population level, combined with successful pathogen transmission to neighboring host populations. The genus Lyciasalamandra is characterized by marked genetic differentiation even at a very small local scale [ 10 , 38 ]. Although a limited number of contact zones between some of these lineages do exist, the generally inhospitable landscape that shaped this genetic diversity can be expected to result in poor connectivity and marked landscape resistance against the Lyciasalamandra host dispersal.…”