Application of the evolutionary species concept to parthenogenetic entities: Comparison of postformational divergence in two clones of Aspidoscelis tesselata and between Aspidoscelis cozumela and Aspidoscelis maslini (Squamata: Teiidae)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2005
Abstract
Sumner Lake State Park, De Baca County, New Mexico, is the only known locality where three pattern classes of diploid, parthenogenetic Aspidoscetis tesselata (Sumner C, Sumner D, and Sumner E) coexist in syntopy. Reciprocal skin transplants confirmed that the pronounced phenotypic differences between Sumner C and Sumner E represent postformational genetic changes rather than separate hybridization origins. Sumner D is meristically indistinguishable from Sumner C and is considered to be a recent mutational derivative of the latter. In contrast, Sumner E is distinctly different from Sumner C in multivariate meristic characters and several important life-history characteristics. Discordant patterns of phenotypic variation characterize many geographically disjunct groups of A. tesselata classified as pattern class E, thus defying a cohesive diagnosis. Therefore, based on the evolutionary species concept (ESC), we consider Sumner C and Sumner E to be divergent clonal groups in the same species. We contrast this example with a parthenogenetic complex on the Yucatán Peninsula in which formal recognition of Aspidoscelis maslini and Aspidoscelis cozumela can be accommodated under the ESC. Copyright 2005 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Harry L.; Walker, James M.; Cordes, James E.; and Manning, Glenn J., "Application of the evolutionary species concept to parthenogenetic entities: Comparison of postformational divergence in two clones of Aspidoscelis tesselata and between Aspidoscelis cozumela and Aspidoscelis maslini (Squamata: Teiidae)" (2005). Regis University Faculty Publications (comprehensive list). 1143.
https://epublications.regis.edu/facultypubs/1143