The genetic population structure of Buthus occitanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) across the Strait of Gibraltar: calibrating a molecular clock using nuclear allozyme variation

Gantenbein, Benjamin

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2003.00295.x

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…This is reflected in our data by fine structured genetic lineages of the sampled Buthus individuals. A similar pattern was observed for the same taxonomic group using various molecular markers such as allozymes, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA all of which showed significant genetic differentiation patterns even among local populations [24], [25]. Similar results were found for other organisms with low to moderate mobility [7].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Microallopatry Caused Strong Diversification in Buthus scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Atlas Mountains (NW Africa)

et al. 2012

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The immense biodiversity of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa might be the result of high rates of microallopatry caused by mountain barriers surpassing 4000 meters leading to patchy habitat distributions. We test the influence of geographic structures on the phylogenetic patterns among Buthus scorpions using mtDNA sequences. We sampled 91 individuals of the genus Buthus from 51 locations scattered around the Atlas Mountains (Antiatlas, High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Jebel Sahro). We sequenced 452 bp of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene which proved to be highly variable within and among Buthus species. Our phylogenetic analysis yielded 12 distinct genetic groups one of which comprised three subgroups mostly in accordance with the orographic structure of the mountain systems. Main clades overlap with each other, while subclades are distributed parapatrically. Geographic structures likely acted as long-term barriers among populations causing restriction of gene flow and allowing for strong genetic differentiation. Thus, genetic structure and geographical distribution of genetic (sub)clusters follow the classical theory of allopatric differentiation where distinct groups evolve without range overlap until reproductive isolation and ecological differentiation has built up. Philopatry and low dispersal ability of Buthus scorpions are the likely causes for the observed strong genetic differentiation at this small geographic scale.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Microallopatry Caused Strong Diversification in Buthus scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Atlas Mountains (NW Africa)

et al. 2012

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“…First, it can be assumed that scorpion populations inhabited the Mediterranean islands during the MSC and exchanged genes during the establishment of land bridges. Second, it is likely that the populations subsequently remained isolated, as scorpions show extremely low dispersal rates (annually 1-30 m; Polis et al 1985), and genetic data on allozymes and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences suggest a strong population structure with high F ST -estimates between subpopulations and low dispersal rates (Yamashita and Polis 1995;Gantenbein et al 2001;Gantenbein 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

Rates of Molecular Evolution in Nuclear Genes of East Mediterranean Scorpions

Gantenbein

Keightley

2004

Evolution

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Scorpions of the genus Mesobuthus represent a useful terrestrial model system for studying molecular evolution. They are distributed on several Aegean islands and the adjacent mainland, they are believed to have low rates of dispersal, and evolutionary divergence dates of taxa are available based on biogeographic events that separated islands from each other and the mainland. Here, we present data on polymorphism and synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous (Ka) substitution rates for nine nuclear protein-coding genes of two east Mediterranean scorpion species, Mesobuthus gibbosus and M. cyprius (Buthidae). Levels of polymorphism tend to be lower in populations from islands (mean nucleotide diversity pi = 0.0071 +/- 0.0028) than in mainland populations (mean pi = 0.0201 +/- 0.0085). By using linear regression of genetic divergence versus isolation time, we estimate Ks to be 3.17 +/- 1.54 per (site x 10(9) years), and Ka to be 0.39 +/- 0.94 per (site x 10(9) years). These estimates for both Ks and Ka are considerably lower than for many other invertebrates, such as Drosophila, and may be attributed to scorpions' mammal-like generation times (approximately 2 years) and low metabolic rates. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood revealed a phylogeny that is congruent with that expected based on biogeographic events and in which divergences at synonymous sites are proportional to the dates that the taxa are believed to have split. Tests of equality of branch lengths for the Cyprus and Crete lineages revealed that Ks-estimates are about the same in both lineages, as expected from the biogeographic events that separated the islands, but Ka was increased in the Cyprus lineage compared to the Cretan lineage.

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“…Th e female vulva was removed and muscle tissues were digested using a KOH (35%) solution before observation. Leg spination was recorded using the codifi cation method fully described in Arnedo and Ribera (1997 (Gantenbein 2004), beetles (Gómez-Zurita 2004) and newts (Carranza and Arnold 2003). A second data matrix was built to investigate phylogeographic patterns in D. shardana sp.…”

Section: Taxonomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematics and phylogeography of the Dysdera erythrina species complex (Araneae, Dysderidae) in Sardinia

Arnedo¹,

Gasparo²,

Opatová³

2009

808

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Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and, together with Corsica and nearby mainland areas, one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the region. Th e origin of Sardinia goes back to the opening of the western Mediterranean in the late Oligocene. Th is geological event and the subsequent Messinian Salinity Crisis and Pleistocene glacial cycles have had a major impact on local biodiversity. Th e Dysdera woodlouse hunter spiders are one of the most diverse ground-dweller groups in the Mediterranean. Here we describe the fi rst two species of this genus endemic to Sardinia: Dysdera jana sp. n. and Dysdera shardana sp. n. Th e two species show contrasting allopatric distribution: D. jana sp. n. is a narrow endemic while D. shardana sp. n. is distributed throughout most of the island. A multi-gene DNA sequence phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes supports the close relationships of the new species to the type species of the genus Dysdera erythrina. Age estimates reject an Oligocene origin of the new Dysdera species and identify the Messinian Salinity Crises as the most plausible period for the split between Sardinian endemics and their closest relatives. Phylogeographic analysis reveals deep genetic divergences and population structure in Dysdera shardana sp. n., suggesting that restriction to gene fl ow, probably due to environmental factors, could explain local speciation events.

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The genetic population structure of Buthus occitanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) across the Strait of Gibraltar: calibrating a molecular clock using nuclear allozyme variation

Cited by 18 publications

References 41 publications

Microallopatry Caused Strong Diversification in Buthus scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Atlas Mountains (NW Africa)

Microallopatry Caused Strong Diversification in Buthus scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Atlas Mountains (NW Africa)

Rates of Molecular Evolution in Nuclear Genes of East Mediterranean Scorpions

Systematics and phylogeography of the Dysdera erythrina species complex (Araneae, Dysderidae) in Sardinia

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