Title

Phylogeographic structure and historical demography of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox): A perspective on North American desert biogeography

Authors

Authors

T. A. Castoe; C. L. Spencer;C. L. Parkinson

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.

Keywords

Crotalus atrox; Crotalus tortugensis; desert biogeography; mtDNA; phylogeography; pleistocene refugia; Western diamondback rattlesnake; MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA SEQUENCES; CALIFORNIA PENINSULAR DESERT; EREMICUS; SPECIES GROUP; PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS; MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS; MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD; HORNED LIZARDS; EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS; GEOGRAPHICAL-DISTRIBUTION; CRYPTIC VICARIANCE; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Evolutionary Biology; Genetics &; Heredity

Abstract

The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a prominent member of North American desert and semi-arid ecosystems, and its importance extends from its impact on the region's ecology and imagery, to its medical relevance as a large deadly venomous snake. We used mtDNA sequences to identify population genetic structure and historical demographic patterns across the range of this species, and relate these to broader patterns of historical biogeography of desert and semi-arid regions of the southwestern USA and adjacent Mexico. We inferred a Late Pliocene divergence between peninsular and continental lineages of Crotalus, followed by an Early Mid Pleistocene divergence across the continental divide within C atrox. Within desert regions (Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, Southern Plains, and Tamaulipan Plain) we observed population structure indicating isolation of populations in multiple Pleistocene refugia on either side of the continental divide, which we attempt to identify. Evidence of post-glacial population growth and range expansion was inferred, particularly in populations east of the continental divide. We observed clear evidence of (probably recent) gene flow across the continental divide and secondary contact of haplotype lineages. This recent gene flow appears to be particularly strong ill the West-to-East direction. Our results also suggest that Crotalus tortugensis (Tortuga Island rattlesnake) and a population of 'C atrox' inhabiting Santa Cruz Island (in the Gulf of California) previously suggested to be an unnamed species, are in fact deeply phylogenetically nested within continental lineages of C atrox. Accordingly, we suggest C tortugensis and 'C. atrox' from Santa Cruz Island be placed in the synonymy of C. atrox. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Volume

42

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Document Type

Review

Language

English

First Page

193

Last Page

212

WOS Identifier

WOS:000243644600014

ISSN

1055-7903

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