Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group

摘要: Previous studies of color pattern, tongue pigmentation, and scale counts have been used to distinguish two species semiaquatic varanids in Africa, but these findings yet be tested with molecular data. The Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group is comprised the Nile monitor (V. niloticus) Ornate ornatus). Due high rate exploitation both for bushmeat, leather industry, pet trade, a clear understanding taxonomy genetic partitioning necessary effective management. Here we utilize multilocus approach, consisting mitochondrial nuclear markers, totaling 4251 bp, as well microsatellite loci assess taxonomic validity intraspecific evolutionary patterns within V. Group. By incorporating historical specimens from museum collections contemporary samples, obtained range-wide coverage across Africa. Concordant results various approaches all suggest that ornatus does not represent distinct monophyletic group. Our analyses recovered three clades niloticus, representing western, northern, southern lineages. western clade was found diverge first, around 7.7 mya (95% HPD: 4.6-11.0 mya) exhibits 8.4% 8.7% uncorrected sequence divergence between northern clades, respectively. This geographically separate lineage corresponds previous descriptions Tupinambis stellatusDaudin (1802). These only call revision this group, also shed light on biogeographic history Africa aid management planning other co-distributed African species.