The complete mitochondrial genome of the toad-headed lizard subspecies, Phrynocephalus theobaldi orientalis (Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae).

The first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Phrynocephalus viviparity was determined for the toad-headed lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi orientalis. The 16,608 bp mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 control regions (CRs). The overall base composition of H-strand is T: 26.7%, C: 24.5%, A: 37.6%, G: 11.2%. The gene arrangement and composition of P. theobaldi orientalis was similar to other published mitochondrial genomes of Phrynocephalus oviparity, except that tRNA-Phe and tRNA-Pro were exchanged. The control region comprised two parts, one between tRNA-Thr and tRNA-Phe and another between tRNA-Pro and 12S RNA. The complete mitogenome sequence of P. theobaldi orientalis provided fundamental data for resolving phylogenetic and genetic problems related to Phrynocephalus viviparity.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the subspecies, Phrynocephalus erythrurus parva (Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae), a toad-headed lizard dwell at highest elevations of any reptile in the world.

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced from the toad-headed viviparous lizard subspecies, Phrynocephalus erythrurus parva, which occupies the highest regions of any reptile on the earth. The mitogenome sequence was 16,431 bp in size, with the overall base composition of H-strand is T: 26.06%, C: 25.14%, A: 36.45%, G: 12.35%. It consists of 13 protein coding, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes and 3 control regions, and its gene order and gene content were identical with the published congeneric mitogenomes of other Phrynocephalus, except for the small protion between tRNA-Pro and tRNA-Phe.

Intraspecific lineages of the lizard Phrynocephalus putjatia from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: impact of physical events on divergence and discordance between morphology and molecular markers.

The Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (NQTP) contains many physical features that may have contributed to its rich biological diversity. We explored the systematics and genetic structures of the sand lizards Phrynocephalus putjatia, distributed across semi-deserts or rocky steppe habitats, and Phrynocephalus guinanensis, found only in sand dune habitats, from the NQTP using mitochondrial (ND2 and tRNAs) and nuclear (RAG-1) markers. Bayesian analyses revealed two main monophyletic mtDNA groups that separate populations of the Qinghai Lake Basin (QLB) from populations to the southeast of this basin (SEQL), but these did not correspond to the two morphological species. The QLB populations are divided into western and eastern groups. Two major groups with similar geographical structuring were also detected for the nuclear RAG-1 marker, but with some geographical discordance. A Bayesian species delimitation analysis did not support division of P. putjatia/P. guinanensis into separate species. Bayesian dating of mtDNA suggests that the earliest divergence within this group occurred less than 2 Ma, which seems to be explained by mountain uplift between the QLB and the SEQL regions. Other Pleistocene events may explain further genetic structuring. Overall, we do not detect reciprocal monophyly of markers between morphological species but note that they do appear to represent ecological forms.