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Phylogenetic systematics of the genus Gonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) in the Guayana region, with description of a new species from Venezuela

2010; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 8; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14772000.2010.504757

1478-0933

Walter E. Schargel, Gilson A. Rivas, Robert Makowsky, J. Celsa Señaris, Marco Natera, Tito R. Barros, César Molina, César L. Barrio‐Amorós,

Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries of the diurnal geckos of the genus Gonatodes in the Guayana region are examined. Seven species of Gonatodes are recognized for the region, six of which are endemic to this region and form a monophyletic group together with G. hasemani from the southern part of the Amazon Basin. Two of the six species in this group are new to science, one of which is endemic to Venezuela and it is described here. Taxonomic accounts are provided for all the Venezuelan species of Gonatodes that are endemic to the Guayana region. The phylogenetic relationships of Gonatodes suggest that the diversity of this genus in the Guayana region has resulted mostly from in situ diversification rather than multiple colonization events by different lineages. The phylogenetic analyses also support that G. antillensis, the only nocturnal species in the genus, is indeed nested within Gonatodes, indicating re-evolution of some traits associated with nocturnal life. Finally, we comment on a recently proposed framework of temporal diversification in Gonatodes and suggest that we are still a long way from attaining a complete understanding about the systematics of this genus. Key words: Gekkota Gonatodes GuayanaGuiananew speciesphylogenyReptiliaSquamatasystematicsVenezuela Acknowledgements This contribution would have not been possible without the help of all the colleagues who selflessly contributed tissues for our molecular dataset, namely: Santiago Castroviejo, Charles Cole, Maureen Donnelly, Tony Gamble, Philippe Geniez, Robert Henderson, Philippe Kok, Abraham Mijares, Aurelien Miralles, Brice Noonan, Robert Powell, Eric Smith and Laurie Vitt. Fieldwork in Venezuela was partly supported by a Phi Sigma Grant to WES that was generously matched by the Department of Biology and the College of Science at The University of Texas at Arlington. Fieldwork by GAR and TRB in the Puerto Ayacucho area was supported by grants to E. N. Smith from the National Science Foundation (DEB-0416160) and Instituto Bioclon, Mexico. We are also grateful to the Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Ambiente, Venezuela, for authorizing the use of tissue samples under the project 'Sistemática, filogenia y taxonomía de las lagartijas del genero Gonatodes (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)' submitted through Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales (Oficio No. 0053). The illustrations of the new species were prepared by O. Villareal. For comments and corrections on the manuscript we are grateful to Brian Fontenot, Christian Cox and Jesse Meik.