Association of Mc1r variants with ecologically relevant phenotypes in the European ocellated lizard, Lacerta lepida

摘要: A comprehensive knowledge on the genetic basis of coloration is crucial to understand how new colour phenotypes arise and they contribute emergence species. Variation in melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), a gene that has been reported as target for repeated evolution wide range vertebrate taxa, was assessed European ocellated lizards (Lacerta lepida) search associations with melanin-based phenotypes. Lacerta lepida subspecies’ distribution associated three major bio-climatic regions Iberian Peninsula. nonconserved derived substitution (T162I) L. l. nevadensis phenotype (prevalence brown scales). Another (S172C) presence black scales both iberica, but no mutations were found be higher proportion iberica. Extensive genotyping Mc1r along contact zone between revealed low flow (only two hybrids detected). The implications these findings are discussed context previous about evolutionary history lizards.