Detection of species of hybrid origin.

[Atilano Contreras-Ramos]

Dear Taxacom Community:

A graduate student in our Institute is working on a phylogeny of lizards
from Yucatan: 5 species, 3 parthenogenetic and two sexually reproducing ones
(possibly a monophyletic group).  A scenario for the origin of the
parthenogenetic species is that they are of hybrid origin (the parental
species possibly being the two sexual ones).
She is somewhat unsure as to what might be the best method for a molecular
phylogeny of the 5 species.  She is so far heading towards mitochondrial
DNA.  She will also have cytogenetic information (karyotypes, etc.).

1.  Is it possible to detect a hybrid origin of a species using
mitochondrial DNA?
2.  Is there another (better) method (especially molecular)?
3.  Could someone recommend 2-3 relevant papers for the detection of species
of hybrid origin via phylogenetic analyses --general ones and/or for
lizards?

Any help will be greatly appreciated by the student.  I will pass all
information to her.  Please write directly to me (unless someone else is
interested in receiving this information?)  Thanks very much in advance.
Sincerely,

Atilano Contreras-Ramos, Ph.D.
Instituto de Biologia, U.N.A.M.
Depto. Zoologia, Apdo. Postal 70-153
04510 Mexico, DF; MEXICO.