Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Amazonian poison frogs with reference to a mimetic radiation / by Rebecca E. Symula.
| Author/creator | Symula, Rebecca E. author. |
| Other author | Summers, Kyle, degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2001. |
| Description | v, 99 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | Members of the poison frog family Dendrobatidae are distinguished by bright coloration, complex behavior and the presence of alkaloid skin toxins. The Dendrobates ventrimaculatus group is widespread across Amazonia. Despite many revisions, the phylogenetic relationships within the group are virtually unknown. I sampled species from within the group across Amazonia and sequenced four mitochondrial DNA gene regions to clarify the relationships within the group. I also used the phylogenetic hypothesis to examine potential biogeographic barriers to gene flow as a means to explain genetic diversity in Amazonia. Within the D. ventrimaculatus group there is evidence for a putative mimetic radiation in the Tarapoto region in Peru. I sequenced the four mitochondrial DNA gene regions to examine the hypothesis of mimicry. DNA sequences from four different mitochondrial gene regions were analyzed with maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and neighbor-joining methods (NJ). I present molecular phylogenetic evidence that the poison frog, Dendrobates imitator, mimics three different poison frogs in different geographic regions in Peru. In the phylogenetic analysis of the entire species group, I have found populations of D. ventrimaculatus are not monophyletic. This resulting phylogeny also supports the presence of major biogeographic barriers Amazonia, but these biogeographic barriers do not appear to be responsible for the large number of species found in western Amazonia. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Kyle Summers |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2001 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-99). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
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