Independent origins or single dispersal? Phylogenetic study supports early Cenozoic origin of three endemic Indo‐Sri Lankan Lygosomine skink genera

• Published in: Zoologica scripta Vol. 53; no. 2; pp. 113 - 128
• Main Authors: Ghosh, Avrajjal, Sil, Maitreya, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., Datta‐Roy, Aniruddha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oslo Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Biodiversity hot spots; Cenozoic; Dispersal; Dispersion; early Eocene; Eocene; Evolution; Kaestlea; Lankascincus; late Palaeocene; Lizards; Lygosominae; Palaeocene; Paleocene; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Ristella; Scincidae; Indian subcontinent; Western Ghats

The Western Ghats‐Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot is home to three endemic Lygosomine (Reptilia, Scincidae) skink genera—Kaestlea, Ristella and Lankascincus. Phylogenetic reconstructions in the past have suggested a sister relationship between the Western Ghats endemic Ristella and the Sri Lankan end...