DNA TAXOPRINTS OF SOME LACERTIDAE LIZARDS - TAXONOMIC AND PHYLOGENETIC IMPLICATIONS

Genetic relatedness of a broad spectrum of lizard species of the Lacer ta genus inhabiting the Caucasus region and of some species from relat ed genera was studied by comparing the distribution of mutations in DN A repeats (the taxoprint method). Taxoprint patterns appeared to be po pulation-and species-specific, and shared some bands common to all spe cies of the genus. Statistical analysis of the band patterns by UPGMA and MP methods revealed that the cladograms and dendrograms obtained h ave similar topologies and in principle corresponded to morphology-and ecology-based ideas on the relatedness of these groups. Maximum simil arity of taxoprints was observed in the group of closely related rock lizards. The species of Sahara-Euroasiatic genera proved only distantl y related to the lizards studied. The taxonomic position of some group s was refined. The data obtained demonstrate that the taxoprint method may provide valuable information on the phylogenetic relatedness and taxonomic position of species.