[Re:] Cryptic Species Discussion

[Thomas Schlemmermeyer]

The case that you input seems to point to different selection pressures,
isn't it?
Evolution of sexual organs can be driven by parasitological selection
pressure, but it might as well be some sort of coevolution with the
opposite sex?
Selfish Gene Theory should postulate that when there are once different
reproductive compatibility types, these may further isolate themselves
(kin-selection).
Anyway, are cupreus and macrophallus allopatric or sympatric? What about Earth
History of their localities?

On (         Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:08:55 GMT-1
),         "Dr. G. Koehler" <gkoehler at SNG.UNI-FRANKFURT.DE> wrote:


>Dear colleagues,
>through the courtesy of Jean Michel Maez, I received part of your
>discussion on the "cryptic species" matter. I would definitely
>prefer the term "cryptic species" over "sibling species" following the
>arguments presented in 1969 by Dr. Hobart M. Smith ( Proposed
>correlation of eurytopy and cryptic speciation. - The Biologist 51
>(3): 100-102) that "sibling species" implies close relationship or
>even "a sort of brother-sister relationship and origin which usually
>is not known ..." (Smith 1969: 100).
>
>At our department we have recently discovered that two species of
>Central American anoles (Reptila: Sauria) have been hiding under one
>name (Anolis cupreus) in the literature for the past decades. These
>two species are so different in hemipenis morphology (hemipenis
>surface covered with calyces versus covered with numerous spines) that
>judging from this observation, these two species (cupreus and
>macrophallus) may not even be closely related. However, externally
>both species are extremely similar and we could not demonstrate a
>single morphometric or pholidotic character that would be useful to
>differentiate between the two species. Thus, these are typical
>"cryptic species".
>
>My main interest would be the understanding of origin and evolution of
>these superficially so similar species. What are the mechanisms? I am
>looking forward to reading some opinions on these matters. Sincerely,
>Gunther Koehler
>------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Dr. Gunther Koehler
>Curator of Herpetology
>Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg
>Sektion Herpetologie
>Senckenberganlage 25
>D-60325 Frankfurt a.M.
>Fax: ++49-69-746238
>Tel: ++49-69-7542-232
>e-mail: gkoehler at sng.uni-frankfurt.de
>