The potential for predicted climate shifts to impact genetic landscapes of lizards in the South African Cape Floristic Region

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dc.contributor.authorTolley K.A.
dc.contributor.authorMakokha J.S.
dc.contributor.authorHouniet D.T.
dc.contributor.authorSwart B.L.
dc.contributor.authorMatthee C.A.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:57:20Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:57:20Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractThe Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is well-known for its floral diversity, yet also contains a rich herpetofauna with >180 species, 28% of which are endemic. Recent studies conducted on CFR lizards indicated that phylogeographic patterns show some congruency, and that the western CFR shows higher overall diversity in the form of population and/or clade turnover. Here, we combine mitochondrial sequence data from two published (Bradypodion spp. and Agama atra) and one new dataset (Pedioplanis burchelli) to investigate whether geographic patterns of genetic diversity could be influenced by predicted climatic changes. We utilised Bayesian methodology and spatial genetic landscapes to establish broad-scale patterns and show that the western CFR is a contact zone for several clades in all three taxa, supporting the hypothesis of phylogeographic congruence. Current levels of gene flow are virtually zero between the western and eastern CFR. In the east, gene flow between populations is negligible at present but was probably stronger in the past given the present lack of strong genetic structure. Bioclimatic modelling predicted that climatically suitable areas within the CFR will decline for Bradypodion spp. and P. burchelli, with areas high in clade turnover loosing more climatically suitable areas than areas with low clade turnover. The models also predict that loss of climatic suitability may result in highly fragmented and patchy distributions, resulting in a greater loss of connectivity. In contrast, A. atra does not show significant climatic suitability losses overall, although it may experience localised losses (and gains). This species is not predicted to loose suitability in areas of high clade turnover. Thus, the incorporation of genetic data into climatic models has extended our knowledge on the vulnerability of these species given the predicted threat of landscape change. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
dc.identifier.citation51
dc.identifier.citation1
dc.identifier.issn10557903
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.017
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10339
dc.subjectmitochondrial DNA
dc.subjectAfrica
dc.subjectanimal
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectbiological model
dc.subjectclassification
dc.subjectclimate
dc.subjectDNA sequence
dc.subjectgene flow
dc.subjectgenetic variability
dc.subjectgenetics
dc.subjectgeography
dc.subjectlizard
dc.subjectmolecular evolution
dc.subjectphylogeny
dc.subjectpopulation genetics
dc.subjectAfrica, Southern
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectClimate
dc.subjectDNA, Mitochondrial
dc.subjectEvolution, Molecular
dc.subjectGene Flow
dc.subjectGenetic Variation
dc.subjectGenetics, Population
dc.subjectGeography
dc.subjectLizards
dc.subjectModels, Genetic
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectSequence Analysis, DNA
dc.subjectAgama
dc.subjectAgama atra
dc.subjectBradypodion
dc.subjectPedioplanis burchelli
dc.subjectSquamata
dc.titleThe potential for predicted climate shifts to impact genetic landscapes of lizards in the South African Cape Floristic Region
dc.typeArticle
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