The Origin and Evolution of Parthenogenesis in Heteronotia binoei (Gekkonidae): Reciprocal Origins and Diverse Mitochondrial DNA in Western Populations

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.Abstract.?Parthenogenetic lines of the Heteronotia binoei complex are genetically diverse, of hybrid origin, and geographically widespread, ranging from central Australia to the west coast. Analysis of the western populations revealed a class of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) approxi? mately 12% different from the mtDNAs found among parthenogens further east. Detailed analysis of mtDNAs from 59 western individuals revealed far greater diversity than previously reported for any parthenogenetic vertebrate. Phylogenetic comparisons with mtDNAs from the bisexual parental species identified the maternal parent(s) as coming from the SM6 species, most probably from west coast populations. This ancestry contrasts with that of the more eastern partheno? genetic lines, which had as parents females of the other bisexual parental species, CA6. The nucleotide diversity of mtDNA among the western parthenogens, although higher than usual (x = 0.38%), is low compared with the variation found within (2.1%) and among (3.9-7.8%) SM6 populations. This diversity illustrates the importance of rigorous sampling of related bisexual populations for interpreting variation among unisexuals. Despite the high mtDNA diversity, these parthenogens probably arose from a relatively small geographic area. The distinct geo? graphic ranges of parthenogens that have the two major classes of mtDNA suggest that the western populations arose separately and further to the west than did the other lines. If so, then the two groups of parthenogenetic lines should be regarded as separate species. [Genetic vari? ation; unisexual; lizards; RFLPs; biogeography.]

Combining Phylogeography with Distribution Modeling: Multiple Pleistocene Range Expansions in a Parthenogenetic Gecko from the Australian Arid Zone

“…Based on the mtDNA restriction profiles showing an affinity of 3N2 mtDNA with a clade of SM6 haplotypes from the extreme western part of their range along the northwest coast of Australia, Moritz and Heideman [27] concluded that the 3N2 mtDNA lineage had likely originated in the northwestern part of its range (see Figure 2 in 26). Under this scenario, 3N2 parthenogens then spread to the east and south to occupy their current range.…”

“…Heteronotia binoei is a complex of several diploid sexual chromosome races and two mitochondrially distinct lineages of triploid parthenogenetic clones that formed via hybridization between two of the sexual chromosome races [26]. The CA6 and SM6 sexual chromosome races were involved in reciprocal hybridization events giving rise to the 3N1 and 3N2 (so named because they are triploid) parthenogenetic mtDNA lineages [27]. A third sexual chromosome race, EA6, was not involved in the hybridization events but is geographically widespread and sympatric with 3N1 parthenogens in part of its range.…”

Phylogeography of competing sexual and parthenogenetic forms of a freshwater flatworm: patterns and explanations

“…Since mtDNA is maternally inherited, it is also a suitable tool to identify the maternal ancestors of hybrid parthenogens [16-20]. Both allow identification of the rate at which new parthenogenetic lineages arise, and to what extent the presence of sexual conspecifics is required.…”

The origin and evolution of parthenogenesis in theHeteronotia binoei complex: Synthesis

“…Subsequent surveys revealed that the parthenogens are very widely distributed in the central and western deserts, occurring over an area in excess of 1.5 X 106 km 2 (Fig. Genetic diversity in the parthenogens has now been analysed from several perspectives -chromosomes (Moritz, 1984;Moritz et al, 1989a), allozymes (Moritz et al 1989b), ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA, Hillis et al, 1991), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, Moritz, 1991;Moritz & Heideman, 1993) -revealing a rich panoply of variation (Table 1). Genetic diversity in the parthenogens has now been analysed from several perspectives -chromosomes (Moritz, 1984;Moritz et al, 1989a), allozymes (Moritz et al 1989b), ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA, Hillis et al, 1991), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, Moritz, 1991;Moritz & Heideman, 1993) -revealing a rich panoply of variation (Table 1).…”

“…Restriction analysis revealed two assemblages of mtDNAs from the parthenogens that differed by about 12% of sequence and which had largely discrete geographic distributions (Moritz, 1991;Moritz & Heideman, 1993). Restriction analysis revealed two assemblages of mtDNAs from the parthenogens that differed by about 12% of sequence and which had largely discrete geographic distributions (Moritz, 1991;Moritz & Heideman, 1993).…”