Mid-Pleistocene Transition as a trigger for diversification in the Irano-Anatolian region: Evidence revealed by phylogeography and distribution pattern of the eastern three-lined lizard

Somayeh Ghane-Ameleh; Milad Khosravi; Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz; Elham Ebrahimi; Marzieh Asadi Aghbolaghi; Faraham Ahmadzadeh

Global Ecology and Conservation (Nov 2021)

Mid-Pleistocene Transition as a trigger for diversification in the Irano-Anatolian region: Evidence revealed by phylogeography and distribution pattern of the eastern three-lined lizard

Somayeh Ghane-Ameleh,
Milad Khosravi,
Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz,
Elham Ebrahimi,
Marzieh Asadi Aghbolaghi,
Faraham Ahmadzadeh

Affiliations

Somayeh Ghane-Ameleh: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Milad Khosravi: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran; Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Elham Ebrahimi: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Marzieh Asadi Aghbolaghi: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Faraham Ahmadzadeh: Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 31
p. e01839

Abstract

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Past climatic events are one of the major drivers for divergence of species that could shape the present biodiversity and species dispersal patterns. Irano-Anatolian region is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. This region is predicted to serve various refugia during Quaternary glaciations. The eastern three-lined lizard (Lacerta media media) is a medium-sized lacertid species, which is originated from central Anatolian and is currently distributed almost across Irano-Anatolian region. In this study, the phylogeography, demographic history of the subspecies using mtDNA genes (cyt b, 12S and 16S) along with the species distribution models (SDMs) under past-present-future scenarios have been investigated. The results revealed that four distinct clades are well-established within the L. m. media which may intensely diverge during Pleistocene climatic fluctuations since the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT). The past climate oscillations may isolate the population in various refugia throughout the Irano-Anatolian region which has been led to this divergence. The results of SDMs also indicates several localities with suitable climate conditions for eastern three-lined lizard in the region since LGM (21 thousand years ago) until the current date. This suitability can be expanded under future climate scenarios considering the existence of various low and high altitude refugia. Some conservation implications arise from the results that emphasize the importance of the region and its multiple refugia in preserving biodiversity. It can be suggested that, future conservation practices should be focused on the obtained biogeographical units such as central Anatolia, west and northwestern Iran, which encompass high levels of diversity including distinct clades within the eastern three-lined lizard.

Published in Global Ecology and Conservation

ISSN: 2351-9894 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-ecology-and-conservation/

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