Subproject E16

Prof. Dr. Clas M. Naumann, Dipl.-Biol. Cornelya Klütsch, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Lehrstuhl für Spezielle Zoologie der Universität Bonn, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Evolutionary history and phylogeography of South Arabian faunal elements

The main aim of this project is to receive a more precise picture of the historical differentiation (phylogeography) of South-Arabian faunal elements. The latter consist mainly Afrotropical and a few Paleartic (Euro-Asiatic) faunal elements, a considerable portion of which is represented by endemic species, i. e. species which occur only in southern Arabia, mainly in Yemen. Little is known on the temporal and spatial differentiation of such elements. Therefore, this project aims at an elucidation of the amount of genetic and temporal differentiation. We have selected four different species as target species.

Aims and scopes:

•	to receive a better understanding of faunal history, i. e. of the processes related to local colonization and subsequent differentiation of Palearctic and Afrotropical species as a result of tectonic drift effects, post-glacial separation and subsequent habitat isolation due to desertification processes in the recent past,
•	to determine the duration of population isolation using genetic data and establishing a molecular clock for such events,
•	to carry out basic research to analyse the genetic differentiation and evolutionary processes of the Yemen fauna,
•	to contribute towards developing new concepts of sustainable use of precious habitats using alternative methods in agriculture, tourism and conservation biology.

This research will focus on a genetic analysis of selected faunal elements of Southern Arabia and will include molecular analyses like microsatellite-DNA for population genetic studies and DNA-sequencing for phylogenetic analyses. Samples will be collected from a few, carefully selected target species (two each of Afrotropical and Palearctic origin):

1.	Varanus yemenensis We want to determine the amount of genetic polymorphism (differentiation) of local populations of this species, their intraspecific relationships and the period of their isolation. On the other hand, this part of study will reveal the systematic position of this typically Afrotropical species and its relationships to other congeneric species (Varanus exanthematicus, Varanus griseus, Varanus albigularis). We also hope to be able to collect distributional data of this species which are necessary for a protection of this endemic.
2.	Hyla savignyi This subproject will concentrate on a genetic study of isolated Yemeni populations of the Mediterranean frog Hyla savignyi. The latter are phenotypically very similar to Mediterranean populations of this species. It is assumed, that H. savignyi has reached southern Arabia during glacial events and that the present isolation of local populations is due to subsequent desertification of the Arabian peninsula. It appears, that this has lead to a significant isolation of local populations going along with considerable genetic isolation.
3.	Lasiommata felix This is an Arabian endemic species of undoubted Paleartic origin, though clearly differentiated from its relatives. We want to analyse this common species with reference to the previous species which has a similar origin. Do both species have similar differentiation rates or are there different layers of colonization events within the South Arabian fauna ? Species that might be used as alternative models are the Arabian swallow tail butterfly Papilio machaon rathjensi or the fritillary Melitea deserticola.
4.	Reissita symonyi This common diurnal moth is endemic to SW-Arabia with its closest relatives occuring on the African continent. It is distinguished by a significant differentiation into two subspecies (northern Yemen and southern Yemen respectively). The northern subspecies yemenicola is dimorphic, while the second one from southern Yemen and Oman, subspecies simonyi, is monomorphic. R. symonyi yemenicola occurs along the escarpement of the Red Sea, whereas populations of R. symonyi symonyi are found in Hadhramaut, Al Mahra and Dhofar. The differentiation into the two forementioned subspecies appears to indicate that Reissita symonyi is a remnant of a very early colonization event on the Arabian subcontinent followed by an extended differentiation process. Samples will be taken from Jabal Urays, Hadramaut, Al Mahra, Dhofar and from northern Yemen (Sanna, Dhamar area, Maabar, etc.).