KARYOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF POPULATIONS OF THE LIZARD ZOOTOCA VIVIPARA (JUAQUIN, 1787) FROM THE
BALTIC SEA BASIN (WESTERN REGION OF RUSSIA)
L. A. Kupriyanova,1, * O. B. Melashchenko,2 P. I. Alekseev 2
1 Zoological Institute RAS, St. Petersburg, and 2 Russian State University
named I. Kant, Kaliningrad;
* e-mail: Larissakup@zin.ru
Populations of the lizard Zootoca vivipara (Juaquin, 1787) (Lacertidae, Sauria) from Western and Central
Europe are poorly differentiated in morphology. However, they differ from each other by several karyotype markers and
their reproductive mode (oviparous and viviparous types). Here we report for the first time the results of combined
investigations of Z. vivipara from Eastern Europe (the Baltic Sea basin of Western Russia). The karyotype and
reproductive mode of the specimens from four previously not examined populations in Kaliningrad region have been
studied. It has been shown that these lizards have viviparous mode of reproduction and their karyotypes vary on
morphology of W-sex chromosomes. Females possess 2n = 35 : 32À + Z1Z2W, with W-SV and 2n = 35 :
32 A + Z1Z2W, with W - A/ST. We have identified these populations karyologically and have first
revealed that they belong to two different viviparous forms of nominative subspecies Z. v. vivipara, namely to
its "western" and "Russian (eastern)" forms. These data have confirmed that the Baltic Sea basin in Eastern Europe is
a zone of secondary contact of these chromosomal forms of Z. v. vivipara. The results obtained do not now allow
us to speak about their sympatry, parapatry and (or) hybridization events. The results suggest that during postglasial
time "western" form might colonize this region from western Europe whereas "Russian (eastern)" form might do it from
Southern-Eastern Europe. It has been recommended to save the biodiversity of Z. vivipara in Kaliningrad region,
namely the peripheral and very rare on vast territory of Russia "western" form and unique for western region of
Russia "Russian (eastern)" form.
Key words: viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara, karyotype, chromosome polymorphism, chromosomal
forms of Z. v. vivipara, a zone of secondary contact, biodiversity, rare populations
Back
Contents
Main
|
