A taxonomic conundrum: Characterizing a cryptic radiation of Asian gracile skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Riopa) in Myanmar
A taxonomic conundrum: Characterizing a cryptic radiation of Asian gracile skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Riopa) in Myanmar
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DOI：
10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106754
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发表时间：
2020-05-01
影响因子：
4.1
通讯作者：
Siler, Cameron D.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Freitas, Elyse S.;Miller, Aryeh H.;Siler, Cameron D.
认识到物种水平的多样性对于研究跨生物学学科的进化模式非常重要，对保护工作也至关重要。然而，在划分物种水平的多样性方面仍然存在挑战，特别是在物种遗传分化但形态分化很小的隐辐射中。利用多位点分子数据、系统发育分析、物种划分分析和形态学数据，我们研究了缅甸里奥帕石龙子神秘辐射中的谱系多样化。根据形态学特征，目前在缅甸发现了4种Riopa石龙子，但其中3种（R. anguina、R. lineolata和R. popae）之间的界限尚不明确。我们在这三个物种中发现了高度的遗传多样性。我们的分析表明，它们可能包含多达12个独立进化的谱系，突出了该地区物种多样性被低估的程度。然而，数量性状数据表明，这些谱系在形态上没有分化，可能表明这种隐性辐射代表了非适应性进化，尽管需要额外的数据来证实这一点。
Recognizing species-level diversity is important for studying evolutionary patterns across biological disciplines and is critical for conservation efforts. However, challenges remain in delimiting species-level diversity, especially in cryptic radiations where species are genetically divergent but show little morphological differentiation. Using multilocus molecular data, phylogenetic analyses, species delimitation analyses, and morphological data, we examine lineage diversification in a cryptic radiation of Riopa skinks in Myanmar. Four species of Riopa skinks are currently recognized from Myanmar based on morphological traits, but the boundaries between three of these species, R. anguina, R. lineolata, and R. popae, are not well-defined. We find high levels of genetic diversity within these three species. Our analyses suggest that they may comprise as many as 12 independently evolving lineages, highlighting the extent to which species diversity in the region is underestimated. However, quantitative trait data suggest that these lineages have not differentiated morphologically, possibly indicating that this cryptic radiation represents non-adaptive evolution, although additional data is needed to corroborate this.