Molecules and morphology suggest cryptic species diversity and an overall complex taxonomy of fish scale geckos, genus G
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Molecules and morphology suggest cryptic species diversity and an overall complex taxonomy of fish scale geckos, genus Geckolepis Inga Lemme & Martina Erbacher & Nathalie Kaffenberger & Miguel Vences & Jörn Köhler
Received: 2 April 2012 / Accepted: 5 June 2012 / Published online: 26 June 2012 # Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik 2012
Abstract The current classification of the MalagasyComoroan geckos of the genus Geckolepis recognizes three valid species and is based on morphological differences only. Species allocation of individuals is difficult, mainly because of the insufficiently known degree of variation and the frequent partial loss of the integument in preserved specimens. Here we study Geckolepis specimens from almost their entire known range. We combine molecular and morphological data to estimate species richness in the genus, and to assess the taxonomic validity of the morphological differences proposed. Analyses of mitochondrial (12S, ND4) and nuclear (RAG1, CMOS) gene sequences support three major clades in addition to the morphologically distinct G. polylepis (included for 12S only), and the presence of various divergent lineages within these clades, some occurring in sympatry. Among lineages, the external I. Lemme : N. Kaffenberger : M. Vences Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany I. Lemme Alfred Wegener Institute, Am alten Hafen 26, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany N. Kaffenberger Senckenberg Natural History Collections, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109 Dresden, Germany M. Erbacher : N. Kaffenberger : J. Köhler (*) Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Friedensplatz 1, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany e-mail: [email protected]
morphology seems to be comparatively conservative, and differences are faint in many cases. For each major lineage, we summarize the most diagnostic morphological characters that distinguish it from other lineages. The combined molecular and morphological data strongly indicate the presence of highly divergent lineages, three of which are tentatively referred to the names Geckolepis maculata, G. polylepis and G. typica, whereas three other major lineages are considered Confirmed Candidate Species. Among the remaining lineages, differentiation is shallower, and these may qualify for Deep Conspecific Lineages. In conclusion, our analysis provides evidence for an underestimation of species richness in the genus and a complex evolutionary history, not reflected by current Geckolepis species-level taxonomy. Keywords Squamata . Gekkonidae . Geckolepis . Madagascar . Molecular genetics . Morphology . Systematics . Species diversity
Introduction Fish-scale geckos of the genus Geckolepis are endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros. These small to medium-sized nocturnal geckos are characterized by their large overlapping body scales and the ability to rapidly shed off these scales when touched or grasped, which can be interpreted as an efficient mechanism to escape from potential
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