A new gecko (Phyllodactylidae: Homonota whitii group) from the Diaguita highlands, Argentina, with an updated phylogeny for the genus

Zoologica Scripta, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract The South American Transition Zone (SATZ) connects the Neotropical and Andean regions, stretching from western Venezuela to northern Chile central‐western Argentina. In Argentina, northwestern Altoandina Cuyana province includes arid semi‐arid ecosystems, particularly Diaguita District, spanning Catamarca, La Rioja San Juan. This mountainous region, including Sierra de Famatina Cordillera Frontal los Andes, hosts species adapted extreme conditions. Despite its biodiversity, region's endemicity phylogenetic uniqueness remain poorly understood, especially as these ecosystems face growing climate threats, such heatwaves. Geckos (Order Gekkota) are one of oldest lizard clades, with divergences over 150 million years ago. Particularly, genus Homonota (Phyllodactylidae) is endemic southern cone America, primarily in also found Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia Uruguay. As part a broader investigation on geckos this advance their systematic study, we generated data two mitochondrial 12 autosomal loci across 14 species, along comprehensive morphological dataset meristic measurements scale counts. Detailed analyses were conducted within an integrative assessment framework. Consequently, describe new biogeographic district representing northernmost member H. whitii group. inhabits region known for micro‐endemism, further highlighting area important biodiversity hotspot dryland ecosystems. Additionally, provide updated molecular hypothesis genus, offering insights into evolutionary history SATZ.

Language: Английский

A straightforward workflow to explore species diversity using the Patagonian lizards of the Diplolaemus genus (Iguania: Leiosauridae) as a study case, with the description of a new species

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 108274 - 108274

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Language: Английский