Taxonomic status of a newly described island population of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bozcaada (Çanakkale, Turkey)

Authors: NURŞEN ÇÖRDÜK, ÇİĞDEM GÜL, MURAT TOSUNOĞLU, KONSTANTINOS SOTIROPOULOS

Abstract: The taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of the recently recorded smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) population from the island of Bozcaada (Çanakkale, Turkey) is clarified on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The L. vulgaris population from Bozcaada presents body proportions and morphological features of subsp. schmidtlerorum, such as small body length, absence of the tail filament, and dorsal crest with pointed free margin. Similarly, phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences (ND4, 16S rRNA) place the Bozcaada population within Clade E of the recent L. vulgaris phylogeny, which consists of L. v. schmidtlerorum populations.

Keywords: Lissotriton vulgaris schmidtlerorum, mitochondrial DNA, 16S rRNA, ND4, taxonomy, Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey

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