LING Chen,LIU Shaoying,HUANG Song,et al.Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a Unique Species of Elaphe (Serpentes, Colubridae) New to Science[J].Asian Herpetological Research(AHR),2010,1(2):90-96.[doi:10.3724/SP.J.1245.2010.00090]
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Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a Unique Species of Elaphe (Serpentes, Colubridae) New to Science
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Asian Herpetological Research[ISSN:2095-0357/CN:51-1735/Q]

Issue:
2010 VoI.1 No.2
Page:
90-96
Research Field:
Original Article
Publishing date:
2010-12-25

Info

Title:
Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a Unique Species of Elaphe (Serpentes, Colubridae) New to Science
Author(s):
LING Chen 1* LIU Shaoying 2* HUANG Song 1** Frank T. Burbrink3 GUO Peng4 SUN Zhiyu2 and ZHAO Jie2
1 College of Life and Environment Sciences, Huangshan University, Huangshan 245021, Anhui, China
2 Sichuan Academy of Forestry, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China
3 Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
4 Department of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Yibin University, Yibin 644000, Sichuan, China
Keywords:
Elaphe ratsnake phylogenetic analysis mitochondrial gene genetic distance
PACS:
-
DOI:
10.3724/SP.J.1245.2010.00090
Abstract:
The snakes comprising the monophyletic group referred to as ratsnakes are found throughout Asia, Europe and the New World. Recently, three snake samples likely belonging to the ratsnakes were collected in Zoige County, Sichuan Province, China. Species identity was difficult to delimit morphologically because the specimens were juveniles and partially damaged. Subsequently, a molecular phylogenetic approach was used. Portions of three mitochondrial genes (cyt b, ND4 and 12S rRNA) were sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that they were sister to the genus Elaphe. Very little genetic variation was found among the three samples. The minimum genetic distances between these samples and those within Elaphe were greater than any currently recognized species within the genus. We conclude that this likely represents a new species within the genus Elaphe. Adult specimens and a morphologic description are needed for further study.

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