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Issue: Vol. 2269 No. 1: 21 Oct. 2009
Type: Articles
Published: 2009-10-21
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2269.1.3
Page range: 43–52
Abstract views: 36
PDF downloaded: 1

High haplotype diversity in a microendemic Malagasy gecko species, Lygodactylus mirabilis (Pasteur, 1962)

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and YIBS-Molecular Systematics and Conservation Genetics Lab., Yale University, 21 Sachem St., New Haven, CT, 06520-8106 USA Present address: Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, CNRS-UMR n° 5554, CC 064, Université Montpellier 2, 2, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 MONTPELLIER cedex 5, France Corresponding author: Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, CNRS-UMR n° 5554, CC 064, Université Montpellier 2, 2, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 MONTPELLIER cedex 5, France
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/ José Gutierrez Abascal nº2, 28006, Madrid
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and YIBS-Molecular Systematics and Conservation Genetics Lab., Yale University, 21 Sachem St., New Haven, CT, 06520-8106 USA
Département de Biologie Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Division of Evolutionary Biology Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 8, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
Reptilia Madagascar Lygodactylus 16S rRNA Cytochrome b Mountain microendemism

Abstract

Among Malagasy montane reptiles, the diurnal gecko Lygodactylus mirabilis has one of the most restricted distribution ranges, occurring only on the Tsiafajavona mountain on the Ankaratra massif. Here we report data on the current distribution of this species and its genetic diversity. Mitochondrial data based on samples collected in the only previously known distribution area (the Tsiafajavona peak) showed numerous haplotypes at low frequencies, suggesting a past population expansion and a relatively high within-species genetic diversity in an extremely small distribution area. Our field survey also revealed that the range of the species is larger than previously thought, but still is extremely small and restricted to the Ankaratra massif.

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