Sternfeld, R. (1912) - Genus Adolfus. - In: Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Zentral-Afrika-Expedition 1907-1908, Band IV, Zoologie II. – Reptilia. Leipzig, 1913. pp. 220-222.  Greenbaum, E. & Villanueva, C.O. & Kusamba, C. & Aristote, M.M. & Branch, W.R. (2011) - A molecular phylogeny of Equatorial African Lacertidae, with the description of a new genus and species from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. - Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 163 (3): 913-942.  × Currently, four species of the lacertid lizard genus Adolfus are known from Central and East Africa. We sequenced
up to 2825 bp of two mitochondrial [16S and cytochrome b (cyt b)] and two nuclear [(c-mos (oocyte maturation
factor) and RAG1 (recombination activating gene 1)] genes from 41 samples of Adolfus (representing every species),
two species each of Gastropholis and Holaspis, and in separate analyses combined these data with GenBank
sequences of all other Eremiadini genera and four Lacertini outgroups. Data from DNA sequences were analysed
with maximum parsimony (PAUP), maximum-likelihood (RAxML) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes) criteria.
Results demonstrated that Adolfus is not monophyletic: Adolfus africanus (type species), Adolfus alleni, and
Adolfus jacksoni are sister taxa, whereas Adolfus vauereselli and a new species from the Itombwe Plateau of
Democratic Republic of the Congo are in a separate lineage. Holaspis and Gastropholis were recovered in separate
clades. Based on these molecular data, relatively substantial sequence divergence, and multiple morphological
differences, we describe a new genus of lacertid for the lineage including A. vauereselli and the new Itombwe
species. The recognition of this new, endemic genus underscores the conservation importance of the Albertine Rift,
especially the Itombwe Plateau, a unique region that is severely threatened by unchecked deforestation, mining,
and poaching. Wagner, P. & Greenbaum, E. & Malonza, P. & Branch, B. (2014) - Resolving sky island speciation in populations of East African Adolfus alleni (Sauria, Lacertidae). - Salamandra, 50 (1): 1-17. × The genus Adolfus Sternfeld, 1912 currently contains three species from Equatorial Africa. Two of these occur in widespread, low- to mid-elevation habitats, but Adolfus alleni is only known from four montane peaks (Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Cherangani Hills, Mt. Elgon) in Kenya and Uganda. An integrative approach using 58 morphological characters and genetic analyses of mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) DNA sequence data revealed differences between these populations, and indicated that A. alleni is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Herein, we describe the populations from the Aberdares and Mount Elgon as a new species, and restrict A. alleni to Mount Kenya. This action underscores the importance of conservation strategies to protect these montane peaks, which may harbour additional, unique evolutionary lineages. Greenbaum, E. & Dowell Beer, S. & Hughes, D.F. & Wagner, P. & Anderson, C.G. & Villanueva, C.O. & Malonza, P.K. & Kusamba, C. & Muninga, W.M. & Aristote, M.M. & Branch, W.R. (2018) - Phylogeography of Jackson’s Forest Lizard Adolfus jacksoni (Sauria: Lacertidae) Reveals Cryptic Diversity in the Highlands of East Africa - Herpetological Monographs, 32 (1): 51-68. × Jackson’s Forest Lizard (Adolfus jacksoni) is widespread throughout the highlands of the Albertine Rift, southern Uganda, western and central Kenya, and northern Tanzania. To understand the population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of this widespread taxon, we sequenced two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and two nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) genes from multiple populations. Population genetics analyses suggested a high degree of genetic differentiation among A. jacksoni populations, reflecting the high-elevation montane ‘‘islands’’ that they inhabit. Populations connected by a network of mountain ranges generally showed lower levels of genetic partitioning than those isolated by lowelevation habitat. Results from phylogenetic analyses and additional morphological data indicated that Adolfus jacksoni occurs throughout the Albertine Rift, likely from the Kabobo Plateau to the Lendu Plateau of Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as southern Uganda, Mt. Elgon, and the highlands of western Kenya on the western side of the Kenyan Rift. Adolfus kibonotensis is removed from the synonymy of the latter taxon, elevated to full species, and recognized from the central Kenyan highlands to northern Tanzania on the eastern side of the Kenyan Rift. A new Adolfus species is described from the Mathews Range in central Kenya.
|
