engleski

Comparative phylogeography of the three widely codistributed endemic Western Balkans lacertid lizards (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

The rock climbing lizards Dalmatolacerta oxycephala and Dinarolacerta mosorensis and the ground‐dwelling lizard Podarcis melisellensis are Western Balkans endemics having largely overlapping distribution range. Comparative phylogeographic study of those species based on two mitochondrial genes revealed highly non‐concordant phylogeographic patterns regarding the number, age and geographic distribution of lineages. The existence of several possible microrefugia is implicated for all three species. While P. melisellensis and D. 12. HBK 60 12th CBC oxycephala survived the unfavourable Pleistocene climatic conditions in glacial refugia, for D. mosorensis, interglacial microrefugia appear more likely. Observed differences can be explained in the light of different responses to Pleistocene climatic oscillations due to specific ecological and habitat preferences as well as the impact of past geotectonic events but also the anthropogenic translocations. Within D. oxycephala, presently monotypic species, two deeply separated clades that diverged some 5 my ago were found. The genetic distances between them are comparable or even exceed those found between some closely related Lacertid lizards. Observed cryptic genetic diversity within D. oxycephala prompts a revision of its taxonomic and conservation status. Preliminary analyses of two nuclear molecular markers confirmed the existence of two clades within D. oxycephala, but also indicated the isolated hybridization events in the secondary contact zone.

comparative phylogeography; Western Balkan; Podarcis melisellensis;; Dalmatolacerta oxycephala; Dinarolacerta mosorensis

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