DNA sequence monomorphism of Indian spiny-tailed lizard Saara hardwickii suggests urgent conservation

The present study was carried out from January to June 2016 in Rajasthan that aimed to sequence the 16S rRNA gene of S. hardwickii to trace genetic variation. Non-invasive molecular techniques were used to isolate DNA from fecal matter. The sequences were edited and assembled using SeqMan computer program, aligned with six global sequences following Clustal W algorithm to ascertain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA v6.0 with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Multiple sequence alignment with global sequences showed single bp changes at four positions in Indian and two global samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed shared ancestry between Indian and these two global samples with indels at seven bp positions 126-128 (insertion) and 249-252 (deletion), and largely due to the movement of specimens involved in illegal trading. The study though short term, quite promising and revealed monomorphic nature of Indian isolates that suggests urgent conservation of the species in India.