Genetic Relationships and Genetic Variation in the Amphisbaenian Genus Bipes

Abstract

Electrophoretic study of about 22 genetic loci was performed for the three known species of the Amphisbaenian genus Bipes. Genetic distance and genetic variability were examined. The three species are very distinct, and differ absolutely at about onethird of the loci examined. B. canaliculatus and B. tridactylus from the west coast of mainland Mexico are no more closely related to each other than either is to B. biporus of Baja California. Levels of genetic variability seem quite low.