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Title: Evidence for ephemeral ring species formation during the diversification history of western fence lizards ( Sceloporus occidentalis )
Abstract

Divergence is often ephemeral, and populations that diverge in response to regional topographic and climatic factors may not remain reproductively isolated when they come into secondary contact. We investigated the geographical structure and evolutionary history of population divergence withinSceloporus occidentalis(western fence lizard), a habitat generalist with a broad distribution that spans the major biogeographical regions of Western North America. We used double digest RAD sequencing to infer population structure, phylogeny and demography. Population genetic structure is hierarchical and geographically structured with evidence for gene flow between biogeographical regions. Consistent with the isolation–expansion model of divergence during Quaternary glacial–interglacial cycles, gene flow and secondary contact are supported as important processes explaining the demographic histories of populations. Although populations may have diverged as they spread northward in a ring‐like manner around the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Ranges, there is strong evidence for gene flow among populations at the northern terminus of the ring. We propose the concept of an “ephemeral ring species” and contrastS. occidentaliswith the classic North American ring species,Ensatina eschscholtzii. Contrary to expectations of lower genetic diversity at northern latitudes following post‐Quaternary‐glaciation expansion, the ephemeral nature of divergence inS. occidentalishas produced centres of high genetic diversity for different reasons in more » the south (long‐term stability) vs. the north (secondary contact).

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Authors:
 ;  ;  ;  ;  
Award ID(s):
2023723
Publication Date:
NSF-PAR ID:
10446483
Journal Name:
Molecular Ecology
Volume:
31
Issue:
2
Page Range or eLocation-ID:
p. 620-631
ISSN:
0962-1083
Publisher:
Wiley-Blackwell
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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