Colonization of islands in the Mona Passage by endemic dwarf geckoes (genus Sphaerodactylus) reconstructed with mitochondrial phylogeny

Ecology and Evolution
Alondra M Díaz-LameiroJuan Carlos Martínez-Cruzado

Abstract

Little is known about the natural history of the Sphaerodactylus species endemic to the three islands located in the Mona Passage separating the Greater Antillean islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. In this study, parts of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA, were sequenced to determine the relationships between the sphaerodactylids that live in the Mona Passage and other Caribbean species from the same genus. While the main goal was to identify the biogeographical origin of these species, we also identified a genetically distinct type of dwarf gecko that warrants future evaluation as a possible new species. According to the reconstructed phylogenies, we propose a stepwise model of colonization wherein S. nicholsi from southwestern Puerto Rico or a very close ancestor gave rise through a founder event to Sphaerodactylus monensis on Mona Island. In a similar fashion, S. monensis or a very close ancestor on Mona Island gave rise to S. levinsi on Desecheo Island. This study also suggests that the most recent common ancestor between the species from the islands in the Mona Passage and Puerto Rico existed approximately 3 MYA.

References

Mar 1, 1971·The American Journal of Digestive Diseases·R SantiniN Maldonado
Apr 9, 1998·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·J A Coyne, H A Orr
May 20, 1999·Molecular Biology and Evolution·H J BandeltA Röhl
Mar 1, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S B HedgesL R Maxson
Aug 13, 2003·Bioinformatics·Fredrik Ronquist, John P Huelsenbeck
Mar 23, 2004·Nucleic Acids Research·Robert C Edgar
Apr 3, 2004·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·John J Wiens
Feb 10, 2006·Nature·Vincent SavolainenWilliam J Baker
Apr 21, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Robert Ricklefs, Eldredge Bermingham
Nov 13, 2007·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Alexei J Drummond, Andrew Rambaut
Dec 1, 2002·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Anthony P Russell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 13, 2019·The Journal of Heredity·Brendan J PintoTony Gamble
May 1, 2021·Genes·Sofiia KolchanovaTaras K Oleksyk

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
electrophoresis
PCR

Software Mentioned

Flexus
Chromas
Omiga
Network
MrBayes
DnaSP
TRACER
BEAST
PhyML

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
R Pérez-PerdomoE Suárez-Pérez
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
Yolanda FigueroaIván F González-Cancel
Boletín de la Asociación Médica de Puerto Rico
Pablo I AltieriMaría Crespo
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved