Multilocus phylogeography of the P atagonian lizard complex L iolaemus kriegi ( I guania: L iolaemini)

This study presents a detailed phylogeographical analysis of one of the most conspicuous groups of lizards in northwestern P atagonia, the L iolaemus kriegi complex. This region is geographically very complex as a result of A ndean orogeny and subsequent volcanism coupled with a long history of glaciations and climatic changes. For 247 individuals we sequenced one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome  b ) and for a subset we sequenced another mitochondrial gene [12 S ribosomal RNA (12 S )] and two nuclear fragments [kinesin family member 24 ( KIF 24) and BA 3 ribosomal RNA ( BA 3)]. We obtained gene trees and mitochondrial and nuclear haploytpe networks, and estimated genetic distances between the main lineages and basic molecular diversity indices. We also performed spatial analysis of molecular variance ( SAMOVA ) and B ayesian S kyline P lot ( BSP ) analyses, and concordant patterns from different lines of evidence permitted delimitation of seven lineages: two described species, L iolaemus buergeri and L iolaemus tregenzai ; four candidate species, L iolaemus sp. A , L iolaemus sp. B , L iolaemus sp. C, and L iolaemus sp. D ; and one lineage that includes all individuals from the geographical range of L iolaemus ceii and L . kriegi , referred to as L . kriegi   +   L . ceii . We discuss the evolutionary processes that may contribute to the origin of these lineages and their taxonomic and conservation implications. © 2014 T he L innean S ociety of L ondon, B iological J ournal of the L innean S ociety , 2014, 113 , 256–269.