Canary Island Lizards
Our research on the lizards of the
Canary islands has included the Lacertids (Gallotia), the geckos
(Tarentola) and the skinks (Chalcides). This work included
both inter-island evolution and within-island studies of phylogeography
and adaptation by natural selection.
Inter-island evolution.
This was based largely on the multi-gene molecular phylogeny and colonization
sequence of Gallotia (funded primarily by the British Research
Councils) (Thorpe et al, 1994 Evolution).
Within-island evolution
Work on within-island microevolution has involved the skinks, geckos
and lacertids of both Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Parallel evolution between
islands (Brown et al 1991 Nature) and the evolution of quantitative traits
in concert with north-south ecological zonation argue for adaptation by
natural selection being the primary determinant of variation in these characters,
even though molecular phylogeography indicates the existence of distinct
lineages within islands (e.g. Gubitz et al, 2005 Mol. Ecol., Thorpe &
Richard, 2001, PNAS).
Population Genetics and UV Markings
Population genetic work on Tenerife G. galloti , using
microsatellites, suggests a greater restriction of gene flow between
habitat types, with their distinctive UV sexual markings, than between
historical lineages which has implications for ecological speciation (Thorpe
& Richard, 2001, PNAS)
(funded by the EC). Subsequently, we have carried out behavioural
studies (funded by NERC) to investigate the role of sexual selection.
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