Genetic Variation and Origin of Parthenogenesis in the Aspidoscelis cozumela Complex: Evidence from Mitochondrial Genes

摘要: Parthenogenesis is a form of clonal reproduction. Eggs develop in the absence sperm and offspring are genetically identical to their mother. Although common invertebrates, it occurs only few species squamate reptiles. Parthenogenetic reptiles have origin interspecific hybridization, populations exclusively female. Because its high mutation rate maternal inheritance, mitochondrial DNA sequence data can evaluate evolution all-female vertebrates. Partial sequences from two genes, Cytb ND4, were analyzed investigate questions about parthenogenesis Aspidoscelis cozumela complex, which includes A. cozumela, maslini rodecki. Low levels divergence detected among parthenogenetic species, between them angusticeps, confirming as parthenoforms. A gene tree was constructed using three angusticeps nine unisexual daughter species. The phylogeny suggests that independent hybridization events deppii formed One resulted rodecki other cozumela. has haplotype characteristic Puerto Morelos, considered be different based on karyological morphological characteristics geographical isolation.