Genetic homogeneity between populations of Aspidoscelis rodecki, a parthenogenetic lizard from the Yucatan Peninsula

Abstract

We undertook skin-grafting between populations to determine whether Aspidoscelis rodecki originated from single, or multiple, parthenogenetically capable hybrids. We transplanted 292 skin grafts within and between the two most geographically distant populations, considering only grafts in animals surviving more than 45 days. Two hundred fifteen grafts were analyzed. Histocompatibility within (100%) and between (97.9%) populations suggests that A. rodecki was derived from a single, parthenogenetically capable, hybrid.