Phylogenetic systematics of Southeast Asian flying lizards (Iguania : Agamidae : Draco) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data

Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data using maximum pars imony, minimum evolution (of log-determinant distances), and maximum-likeli hood optimality criteria provided a robust estimate of Draco phylogenetic r elationships. Although the analyses based on alternative optimality criteri a were not entirely congruent, non parametric bootstrap analyses identified many well-supported clades that were common to the analyses under the thre e altrenative criteria. Relationships within the major clades are generally well resolved and strongly supported, although this is not the case for th e Philippine volans subclade. The hypothesis that a clade composed primaril y of Philippine species represents a rapid radiation could not be rejected. A revised taxonomy for Draco is provided. (C) 2001 The Linnean Society of London.