TY - JOUR

T1 - Multi-locus phylogeny and species delimitation of Australo-Papuan blacksnakes(Pseudechis Wagler, 1830: Elapidae: Serpentes)

AU - Maddock, Simon

AU - Childerstone, Aaron

AU - Fry, B.G.

AU - Williams, David J.

AU - Barlow, Axel

AU - Wüster, Wolfgang

N1 - This study was financed in part by Grant APSF 07/1 from the Australia & Pacific Science Foundation, and Royal Society International Outgoing Short Visit grant 2006/R2 to WW.

PY - 2017/2/1

Y1 - 2017/2/1

N2 - Genetic analyses of Australasian organisms have resulted in the identification of extensive cryptic diversity across the continent. The venomous elapid snakes are among the best-studied organismal groups in this region, but many knowledge gaps persist: for instance, despite their iconic status, the species-level diversity among Australo-Papuan blacksnakes (Pseudechis) has remained poorly understood due to the existence of a group of cryptic species within the P. australis species complex, collectively termed “pygmy mulga snakes”. Using two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci we assess species boundaries within the genus using Bayesian species delimitation methods and reconstruct their phylogenetic history using multispecies coalescent approaches. Our analyses support the recognition of 10 species, including all of the currently described pygmy mulga snakes and one undescribed species from the Northern Territory of Australia. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus are broadly consistent with previous work, with the recognition of three major groups, the viviparous red-bellied black snake P. porphyriacus forming the sister species to two clades consisting of ovoviviparous species.

AB - Genetic analyses of Australasian organisms have resulted in the identification of extensive cryptic diversity across the continent. The venomous elapid snakes are among the best-studied organismal groups in this region, but many knowledge gaps persist: for instance, despite their iconic status, the species-level diversity among Australo-Papuan blacksnakes (Pseudechis) has remained poorly understood due to the existence of a group of cryptic species within the P. australis species complex, collectively termed “pygmy mulga snakes”. Using two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci we assess species boundaries within the genus using Bayesian species delimitation methods and reconstruct their phylogenetic history using multispecies coalescent approaches. Our analyses support the recognition of 10 species, including all of the currently described pygmy mulga snakes and one undescribed species from the Northern Territory of Australia. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus are broadly consistent with previous work, with the recognition of three major groups, the viviparous red-bellied black snake P. porphyriacus forming the sister species to two clades consisting of ovoviviparous species.

KW - Australia

KW - New Guinea

KW - molecular phylogenetics

KW - bpp

KW - snakes

KW - multispecies coalescent

U2 - 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.005

DO - 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.005

M3 - Article

VL - 107

SP - 48

EP - 55

JO - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

JF - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

SN - 1055-7903

IS - February

ER -