Molecular systematics of Stenodactylus (Gekkonidae), an Afro-Arabian gecko species complex

We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of Stenodactylus geckos using mitochondrial and three nuclear genes in order to understand the divergence within this genus. Stenodactylus is a complex with deep divergences that date to at least the Miocene; these patterns are seen in several other complexes in this region, indicating important and shared biogeographic processes affecting several taxonomic groups. Divergence between disjunct populations from three species in the Arabian Peninsula may have arisen because of Pliocene and Pleistocene restructuring of sand dunes. As currently recognized, Stenodactylus is not a monophyletic genus with respect to Tropiocolotes. We resurrect the monotypic genus Pseudoceramodactylus to address this problem of monophyly.

.Research highlights► Exceptional divergence is seen between different species in the gecko genus Stenodactylus, similar to divergences in other geckos. ► We resurrect an old genus in order to maintain the common ancestry of Stenodactylus. ► Similar patterns of diversity in co-occurring species of Stenodactylus in the Wahiba Sands of Oman imply similar biogeographic processes affected biological diversification of several faunal lineages.