Biogeography of the genus Acanthodactylus Fitzinger, 1834

Abstract

Acanthodactylus lizards are among the most diverse, abundant and widespread reptiles in the arid areas of northern Africa to southwest Asia. It is the most species rich genus in the family Lacertidae, currently with over 40 recognized species. We sampled 302 individuals representing 36 species and most subspecies from across the distributional range of the genus. We sequenced all specimens for two mitochondrial (12S, Cytb) and three nuclear (MC1R, ACM4, c-mos) markers, reconstructing the first large scale calibrated molecular phylogeny of Acanthodactylus to gain insights into its historical biogeography. The onset of Acanthodactylus cladogenesis is estimated to have occurred due to vicariance and dispersal processes with the separation into three clades: the Western and the scutellatus clades mostly distributed in northern Africa, and the Eastern clade from the Middle-East, Arabia and southwestern Asia. Most Acanthodactylus species diverged during the Miocene corresponding to regional tectonic movements and climate change.