Morphology and molecular data reveal invasion of cryptic golden tegus (Tupinambis cryptus Murphy et al., 2016) in Florida

BioInvasions Records
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Abstract

Golden Tegus (Tupinambis teguixin sensu lato) are native to South America and have established a reproducing population in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Recent work divided the Golden Tegu into four separate species, leaving the specific identity of Golden Tegus in Florida unknown. We used morphometric and mitochondrial data to determine the species identity and likely area of geographic origin for a specimen of Golden Tegu collected in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Our results indicate Cryptic Golden Tegus (Tupinambis cryptus) are the species established in Florida. Geographic origin is likely mainland Guyana or Venezuela.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Morphology and molecular data reveal invasion of cryptic golden tegus Tupinambis cryptus Murphy et al., 2016) in Florida
Series title BioInvasions Records
DOI 10.3391/bir.2019.8.2.30
Volume 8
Issue 2
Year Published 2019
Language English
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 465
Last page 470
Country United States
State Florida
County Miami-Dade County
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