Very similar, but not identical: morphological taxonomic identification to improve the resolution of fine-scale distribution of Zootoca (vivipara) carniolica. Supplementary Materials
Ana Rodriguez-Prieto
Giovanni Giovine
Lorenzo Laddaga
Samuele Ghielmi
Luca Cornetti
10.6084/m9.figshare.5414683.v1
https://brill.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Very_similar_but_not_identical_morphological_taxonomic_identification_to_improve_the_resolution_of_fine-scale_distribution_of_Zootoca_vivipara_carniolica_Supplementary_Materials/5414683
<p>Improving
the knowledge about the distribution of threatened species is a fundamental
step forward for implementing effective measures for species conservation.
Distribution maps of herpetological species are often inferred from morphological
identification but, in some cases, morphology alone is not reliable for
assessing the distribution of lookalike species. The common lizard <i>Zootoca
vivipara </i>includes several lineages which, to date, cannot be distinguished
by any conventional morphological traits. Therefore, a reliable taxonomic
identification for the main <i>Zootoca </i>lineages is only feasible with
genetic data. In this study, we identify a morphological trait that can be used
to distinguish individuals of the parapatric <i>Z. v. vivipara </i>and <i>Z.
carniolica</i>, without the support of molecular analyses. This method may
provide a cost-effective tool to better depict the distribution of the
threatened <i>Z. carniolica </i>and therefore prioritize the conservation of
the locations where the oviparous Alpine lineage is found.</p>
2017-09-18 12:22:30
conservation
morphological traits
oviparity
parapatric
viviparity
Animal Systematics and Taxonomy
Zoology