Mitochondrial DNA diversity of the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) in the Carpathian Basin: evidence for multiple cryptic lineages associated with Pleistocene refugia

The phylogeography and molecular taxonomy of the Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, has been intensively studied in past. However, previous studies did not include a comprehensive sampling from Carpathian Basin, possibly key region evolution species. We used 1251 bp long fragment mitochondrial genome to infer species’ evolutionary history central-eastern Europe by assigning isolated Basin populations 6 regions previously defined mtDNA lineages. also revised morphology-based intraspecific species light new genetic data. newt represented two different Mátra, Bükk Zemplén Mts can be assigned Western lineage nominotypical subspecies. Bakony Őrség showed high haplotype diversity formed separate clade within lineage, suggesting that might have provided cryptic refugia for their cold-continental forest-steppe landscapes during younger Pleistocene. Newts Apuseni were related Eastern but distinct this lineage. Considering morphological differentiation populations, consistent with independent history, we propose these referred as alpestris bakonyiensis (Dely, 1964). provide redescription poorly known