The complex colonization history of nocturnal geckos (Paroedura) in the Comoros Archipelago

摘要: Hawlitschek, O. & Glaw, F. (2012). The complex colonization history of nocturnal geckos (Paroedura) in the Comoros Archipelago. —Zoologica Scripta, 00, 000–000. Oceanic islands have attracted special attention from evolutionary biologists because their mostly species-poor, but highly endemic biota are exposed to selection regimes different those mainland relatives. While many groups oceanic worldwide been used as natural laboratories biology, few such studies performed on Archipelago Western Indian Ocean. We study Paroedura sanctijohannis Gunther 1879, a gecko this archipelago only species an otherwise Malagasy genus. According our phylogeny, P. sanctijohannis is not monophyletic, population geologically oldest island Mayotte clustering with related species. describe stellata sp.n. and provide morphological evidence distinguishing it other A molecular clock analysis shows that genetic divergence within youngest Grand Comoro higher than expected based its geological age. Additionally, paraphyletic respect older Anjouan, suggesting latter was colonized long after initial emergence, possibly extinction original population. Furthermore, we find P. stellata more similar each regarding adult coloration juvenile coloration. Because these two other’s closest relatives, discuss possible explanations for pattern suggest represents convergent adaptation relaxed insular regime.