Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade
We reassess the systematics of Hemidactylus scabriceps, a recently rediscovered and poorly known gecko, and elucidate its phylogenetic position using molecular data for the first time. Contrary to previous speculations prompted by its morphological resemblance to other terrestrial Hemidactylus, our...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
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| Online Access: | https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3964 |
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| author | Achyuthan N. Srikanthan Gandla Chethan Kumar Aishwarya J. Urs Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh |
| author_facet | Achyuthan N. Srikanthan Gandla Chethan Kumar Aishwarya J. Urs Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh |
| author_sort | Achyuthan N. Srikanthan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We reassess the systematics of Hemidactylus scabriceps, a recently rediscovered and poorly known gecko, and elucidate its phylogenetic position using molecular data for the first time. Contrary to previous speculations prompted by its morphological resemblance to other terrestrial Hemidactylus, our phylogenetic analyses recovered H. scabriceps to be a part of a clade consisting of the large-bodied, rock-dwelling Hemidactylus – the H. prashadi group. Hemidactylus scabriceps also shows high levels of intraspecific genetic divergence, indicative of cryptic diversity. We also confirm the synonymy of the monotypic genus Lophopholis (erected for H. scabriceps) with Hemidactylus. We elaborate on the morphology of the type specimen and other recent voucher specimens, and compare it with sister species and other ground-dwelling Hemidactylus in peninsular India. Species distribution of this ‘outlier’ clade member has been modeled using MaxEnt. These exercises confirm that it is primarily a smooth-scaled, plain-dwelling, terrestrial species unlike other members in its clade. This unexpected pattern of genetic alliance and contrasting body form plus habitat associations further underscores the unstudied complexity of peninsular India’s geological history. Historical denudation of rock formations could have driven evolution of some of these otherwise rupicolous, scansorial gekkonids into smaller terrestrial lizards. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:21:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d16650b8ab94abc8d62555bb9643a77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-7893 0974-7907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:21:06Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d16650b8ab94abc8d62555bb9643a772022-12-22T01:16:06ZengWildlife Information Liaison Development SocietyJournal of Threatened Taxa0974-78930974-79072018-08-01109121471216210.11609/jott.3964.10.9.12147-121623964Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous cladeAchyuthan N. Srikanthan0Gandla Chethan Kumar1Aishwarya J. UrsSumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh2Indian Institute of ScienceWildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India & Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box #18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, IndiaChennai Snake Park, Rajbhavan Post, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600022, IndiaWe reassess the systematics of Hemidactylus scabriceps, a recently rediscovered and poorly known gecko, and elucidate its phylogenetic position using molecular data for the first time. Contrary to previous speculations prompted by its morphological resemblance to other terrestrial Hemidactylus, our phylogenetic analyses recovered H. scabriceps to be a part of a clade consisting of the large-bodied, rock-dwelling Hemidactylus – the H. prashadi group. Hemidactylus scabriceps also shows high levels of intraspecific genetic divergence, indicative of cryptic diversity. We also confirm the synonymy of the monotypic genus Lophopholis (erected for H. scabriceps) with Hemidactylus. We elaborate on the morphology of the type specimen and other recent voucher specimens, and compare it with sister species and other ground-dwelling Hemidactylus in peninsular India. Species distribution of this ‘outlier’ clade member has been modeled using MaxEnt. These exercises confirm that it is primarily a smooth-scaled, plain-dwelling, terrestrial species unlike other members in its clade. This unexpected pattern of genetic alliance and contrasting body form plus habitat associations further underscores the unstudied complexity of peninsular India’s geological history. Historical denudation of rock formations could have driven evolution of some of these otherwise rupicolous, scansorial gekkonids into smaller terrestrial lizards.https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3964clade memberdistribution modelinghabitat associationsindian dry zonemorphologyphylogenetic positionrock dwelling. |
| spellingShingle | Achyuthan N. Srikanthan Gandla Chethan Kumar Aishwarya J. Urs Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade Journal of Threatened Taxa clade member distribution modeling habitat associations indian dry zone morphology phylogenetic position rock dwelling. |
| title | Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| title_full | Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| title_fullStr | Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| title_full_unstemmed | Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| title_short | Appearances are deceptive: molecular phylogeny recovers the Scaly Gecko Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| title_sort | appearances are deceptive molecular phylogeny recovers the scaly gecko hemidactylus scabriceps reptilia squamata gekkonidae as a member of a scansorial and rupicolous clade |
| topic | clade member distribution modeling habitat associations indian dry zone morphology phylogenetic position rock dwelling. |
| url | https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3964 |
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