The Phylogeny of Lizard Families

John J. Wiens, Shea M. Lambert

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this chapter, we will summarize our current knowledge of higher-level lizard phylogeny, focusing on relationships among extant families. Despite recent suggestions that lizard phylogeny is unresolved due to conflicts between molecular and morphological data (e.g., Gauthier et al. 2012; Losos et al. 2012), we will argue that the phylogeny of extant lizard families is actually becoming increasingly well resolved and well supported. We will first argue that simply pointing out differences between molecular and morphological trees does not help us resolve phylogeny. Instead, the best way to resolve these conflicts is through combined analysis and identification of misleading signals. We will argue that combined analyses of large-scale molecular and morphological datasets clearly support the estimate of higher-level phylogeny from molecular datasets, and that there is strongly misleading signal in the morphological data. We will then review our current knowledge of higher-level squamate phylogeny, emphasizing those aspects that are now agreed upon by large-scale datasets, and those aspects that are still uncertain. We will also present a new time-calibrated phylogeny for squamate reptile families.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationReproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Lizards and Tuatara
PublisherCRC Press
Pages27-42
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9781466579873
ISBN (Print)9781466579866
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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