Out of Arabia: A Complex Biogeographic History of Multiple Vicariance and Dispersal Events in the Gecko Genus Hemidactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

摘要: The geological history of the Arabian Peninsula has played a crucial role in shaping current diversity and distribution patterns many African faunal elements. gecko genus Hemidactylus is not an exception. In this study, we provide insight into phylogeny systematics 45 recognized species so-called Arid clade from Arabia, Horn Africa, Levant Iran. material comprises 358 specimens sequenced for up to two mitochondrial (12S rRNA, cytochrome b) four nuclear (mc1r, cmos, rag1, rag2) genes with 4766 bp concatenated alignment length. A robust calibrated reconstruction historical biogeography are inferred. We link major events that occurred region within last 30 million years. Two basal divergences correspond break-ups landmasses subsequent separation Socotra mainland, respectively, segregating by means vicariance. Formation Red Sea led isolation radiation Peninsula, which was followed multiple independent expansions: 13.1 Ma Iran; 9.8 NE Africa; 8.2 Archipelago; 7–7.3 colonizations Near East; 5.9 4.1 Socotra. Moreover, using genetic markers detected cryptic genus, particularly south-western Arabia Ethiopian highlands, confirmed existence at least seven new area. These findings highlight Africa as important hotspot.