Аннотация:Background: The hybridization of female D. raddei and male D. valentini gave rise to the parthenogenetic Caucasian
rock lizard Darevskia unisexualis. A previously identified genetic polymorphism in the species consisted of one common
and two allozyme clones. Analysis of microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the three
species yields estimates of clonal diversity and tests the hypothesis of a single origin for D. unisexualis.
Results: Genotyping and sequencing of four microsatellite-containing loci for 109 specimens of D. unisexualis, 17 D.
valentini, and 45 D. raddei nairensis identified 12 presumptive clones, including one widespread and 11 rare clones.
Most individuals in some localities had a rare clone. Clone-specific alleles in D. unisexualis were compared with those of
the parental species. The results inferred a single hybridization event. Post-formation mutations best explain the less
common clones.
Conclusions: Interspecific analyses identify alleles inherited by D. unisexualis from its bisexual ancestors. SNP analyses fail
to reject the hypothesis of a single interspecific origin of D. unisexualis, followed by microsatellite mutations in this initial
clone. Microsatellites detect higher clonal diversity in D. unisexualis compared to allozymes and identify the likely origins
of clones. Our approach may be applicable to other unisexual species whose origins involve interspecific hybridization.