Evolutionary relationships, species delimitation and biogeography of Eastern Afromontane horned chameleons (Chamaeleonidae: Trioceros)

摘要: Abstract The Eastern Afromontane Region (EAR) contains numerous endemic species, yet its reptile diversity remains relatively poorly understood. We used molecular data to examine species of the Sub-Saharan chameleon genus Trioceros. In particular, we focus on establishing boundaries for taxa with disjunct distributions across fragmented mountains EAR, including T. affinis, balebicornutus, deremensis, harennae, tempeli and werneri. applied three species-delimiting approaches, General Mixed Yule-Coalescent (GMYC), a Bayesian implementation GMYC, Bayes Factor Delimitation estimate diversity. Using dated phylogeny, also examined spatial temporal diversification patterns in found strong congruence between different delimitation all methods suggesting that is currently underestimated. werneri consists at least four candidate (i.e. awaiting description) some mountain ranges (Uluguru Udzungwa) having potentially more than one species. Most interspecific divergences extant Trioceros lineages are estimated be >5 Mya, consistent Pliocene origin montane fauna, as exhibited other taxonomic groups. Multiple, overlapping geographic events (climate and/or geomorphological changes) might account speciation given dating results.