Living with the genetic signature of Miocene induced change: Evidence from the phylogeographic structure of the endemic angulate tortoise Chersina angulata

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dc.contributor.authorDaniels S.R.
dc.contributor.authorHofmeyr M.D.
dc.contributor.authorHenen B.T.
dc.contributor.authorCrandall K.A.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:57:21Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:57:21Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractThe phylogeographic structure of the monotypic endemic southern African angulate tortoise Chersina angulata was investigated throughout its distribution with the use of partial sequences from three mtDNA loci (COI, cyt b and ND4). Phylogeographic and phylogenetic structuring obtained for the three mtDNA markers were highly congruent and suggested the presence of two genetically distinct, reciprocally monophyletic evolutionary lineages. Group one contained two subclades with haplotypes from the north-western Cape and south-western Cape, respectively, while haplotypes from the southern Cape comprised group two. The two major clades were separated by nine and eight mutational steps for COI and ND4, respectively. Of the three mtDNA gene regions examined, the ND4 partial sequence contained the most phylogenetic signal. Haplotype diversity was generally low and we recovered 34 haplotypes for the 125 animals sequenced for the ND4 subunit. Nested clade analyses performed on the variable ND4 partial sequences suggested the presence of two major refugial areas for this species. The demographic history of the taxon was characterised by range expansion and prolonged historical fragmentation. Divergence time estimates suggest that the temporal and spatial distribution of the taxon was sculpted by changes in temperature and rainfall patterns since the late Miocene. Corroborative evidence from other reptiles is also suggestive of a late Miocene divergence, indicating that this was a major epoch for cladogenesis in southern Africa. Apart from the genetic differences between the two major clades, we also note morphometric and behavioural differences, alluding to the presence of two putative taxa nested within C. angulata. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
dc.identifier.citation45
dc.identifier.citation3
dc.identifier.issn10557903
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.ympev.2007.08.010
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10349
dc.subjectcytochrome b
dc.subjectcytochrome c oxidase
dc.subjectmitochondrial DNA
dc.subjectreduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase
dc.subjectanimal
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectgenetics
dc.subjectgeography
dc.subjecthaplotype
dc.subjectphylogeny
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjecttime
dc.subjectturtle
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectCytochromes b
dc.subjectDNA, Mitochondrial
dc.subjectElectron Transport Complex IV
dc.subjectGeography
dc.subjectHaplotypes
dc.subjectNADH Dehydrogenase
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectTime Factors
dc.subjectTurtles
dc.subjectAnimalia
dc.subjectChersina angulata
dc.subjectReptilia
dc.titleLiving with the genetic signature of Miocene induced change: Evidence from the phylogeographic structure of the endemic angulate tortoise Chersina angulata
dc.typeArticle
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