Biochemical Systematics and Evolution of the Eastern North American Newts, Genus Notophthalmus (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Allozyme data are used to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the three species of eastern North American newts. All three species are electrophoretically distinguishable with Notophthalmus perstriatus and N. meridionalis sharing the most recent common ancestor. Genetic variation in N. virides...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Herpetologica 1990-03, Vol.46 (1), p.51-59
Main Author: Reilly, Stephen M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibia. Reptilia
Biochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Biological taxonomies
Divergent evolution
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic loci
Genetic variation
Herpetology
Newts
Salamanders
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
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Summary:Allozyme data are used to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the three species of eastern North American newts. All three species are electrophoretically distinguishable with Notophthalmus perstriatus and N. meridionalis sharing the most recent common ancestor. Genetic variation in N. viridescens is lower than expected for such a wide-ranging species. A scenario for the evolution of the North American newts based on biochemical estimates of divergence times is presented that is consistent with the current understanding of the paleoecology of North America and the biogeography of the North American herpetofauna.
ISSN:0018-0831
1938-5099