Molecular Ecology (2010) 19, 3250–3270 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04722.x
INVITED REVIEW Lizards as model organisms for linking phylogeographic and speciation studies
ARLEY CAMARGO,* BARRY SINERVO† and JACK W. SITES JR.* *Department of Biology and Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA, †Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Abstract Lizards have been model organisms for ecological and evolutionary studies from individual to community levels at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Here we highlight lizards as models for phylogeographic studies, review the published popula- tion genetics ⁄ phylogeography literature to summarize general patterns and trends and describe some studies that have contributed to conceptual advances. Our review includes 426 references and 452 case studies: this literature reflects a general trend of exponential growth associated with the theoretical and empirical expansions of the discipline. We describe recent lizard studies that have contributed to advances in understanding of several aspects of phylogeography, emphasize some linkages between phylogeography and speciation and suggest ways to expand phylogeographic studies to test alternative pattern-based modes of speciation. Allopatric speciation patterns can be tested by phylogeographic approaches if these are designed to discriminate among four alterna- tives based on the role of selection in driving divergence between populations, including: (i) passive divergence by genetic drift; (ii) adaptive divergence by natural selection (niche conservatism or ecological speciation); and (iii) socially-mediated speciation. Here we propose an expanded approach to compare patterns of variation in phylogeographic data sets that, when coupled with morphological and environmental data, can be used to discriminate among these alternative speciation patterns. [Correction made after online publication (28/07/2010): (minor deletion in the last line of the abstract)].
Keywords: adaptation, divergence, lizards, molecular markers, phylogeography, speciation Received 20 June 2009; revision accepted 10 May 2010
as families (Pough et al. 2004). Figure 1 depicts a phy- Introduction logenetic hypothesis from Townsend et al. (2004) that ‘Lizards’ are a paraphyletic group of non-avian reptiles summarizes relationships and distributions in these that, together with the odd ‘worm lizards’ (Amphisbae- major groups and while this arrangement has been nia) and the snakes (Serpentes), comprise the clade challenged (Lee et al. 2004; Vidal & Hedges 2005; Con- Squamata (Lee et al. 2004; Pough et al. 2004). The well- rad 2008), we present the hypothesis merely to acquaint supported clades Amphisbaenia and Serpentes are readers with some aspects of the evolutionary history of unambiguously nested within the Squamata but for the group. Lizards are widely distributed geographi- simplicity we refer to lizards as all squamates that do cally, occupy a wide range of habitats and are charac- not belong to these other clades. This group includes at terized by a striking range of morphologies, ecologies least 5354 species (The Reptile Database: http:// and body sizes (Pianka & Vitt 2003; Vitt & Caldwell www.reptile-database.org/ accessed on 15 February 2009). As a group, lizards show about 150 independent 2010) in about 25–26 crown clades usually recognized origins of lateral toe fringes (for sand running; Luke 1986), about 100 independent origins of viviparity (liz- Correspondence: Arley Camargo, Fax: +1 801 422 0090; ards + snakes; Blackburn 2006), multiple transitions to a E-mail: [email protected] snakelike body form with limb reduction (Greer 1991;