Highlight Activities 2021: Phylogeography and ecological niche modeling reveal evolutionary history of Leiolepis ocellata (Squamata, Leiolepidae)

Phylogeography and ecological niche modeling reveal evolutionary history of Leiolepis ocellata (Squamata, Leiolepidae)

Jenjit Khudamrongsawat

A commonly found butterfly lizard has a long evolutionary history with dynamic distribution range related to ecology and environment in the past and present. Ancient river courses played a role in its pattern of diversity. Diversification of this species was further facilitated by climate during the Pleistocene that allowed range expansion and genetic admixture among populations of this species.

This research was financially supported by Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, and the British Herpetological Society. Field work was conducted in northern Thailand, and laboratory work was carried on at Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. We are grateful to Dr. Jesse Grismer and his colleagues for sharing their sequence information. We have received substantial assistance from DNP staff, local administrative staff, and our friends during field work. Knowledge obtained from this work is expected to promote local awareness, conservation, and natural resource managements.

Reference:

Promnun P, Tandavanitj N, Kongrit C., Kongsatree K, Kongpraphann P, Dongkumfu W, Kumsuan D, Khudamrongsawat J. 2021. Phylogeography and ecological niche modeling reveal evolutionary history of Leiolepis ocellata (Squamata, Leiolepidae). Ecology and Evolution 11 (5): 2221-2233.