Finding arboreal snakes in an evolutionary tree: phylogenetic placement and systematic revision of the Neotropical birdsnakes. (23rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jadin, Robert C.; Burbrink, Frank T.; Rivas, Gilson A.; Vitt, Laurie J.; Barrio‐Amorós, César L.; Guralnick, Robert P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoological systematics and evolutionary research. Volume 52:Number 3(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2013-12-23
• Subjects: Animals -- Classification -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 578.012
• DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-5745

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jzs12055-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The genus <italic>Pseustes </italic>Fitzinger, 1843 is composed of three recognized species, <italic>Pseustes poecilonotus</italic>, <italic> P. shropshirei</italic> and <italic>P. sulphureus</italic>, which may be the largest sized colubrid snake in the New World. The group has a complex systematic history that has yet to be untangled using modern molecular phylogenetic approaches. The systematic position, within‐group diversity and distribution are therefore uncertain. We obtained samples of four species from multiple specimens across their distribution and analysed one nuclear and two mitochondrial genes to determine the phylogenetic placement of the genus and infer relationships among <italic>Pseustes</italic> lineages. We find strong support for the paraphyly of <italic>Pseustes</italic> with respect to the monotypic genus <italic>Spilotes</italic>, both of which are nested within a clade of at least 23 other New World Colubrinae genera. Based on our results, we formally revise the taxonomy of <italic>P. poecilonotus</italic> and <italic>P. sulphureus</italic>, resurrecting the taxon <italic>P. polylepis</italic> for populations of <italic>P. poecilonotus</italic> from South America and allocating <italic>P. sulphureus</italic> to the genus <italic>Spilotes</italic> which renders both genera monophyletic. Additionally, we identify two lineages that are putatively new and currently unrecognized species. Finally, the placement of <italic>P. sulphureus</italic>, the type species of Pseustes, in the genus <italic>Spilotes</italic>, requires the allocation of the senior synonym <italic>Phrynonax</italic> be considered for the remaining <italic>Pseustes</italic> taxa.</p> </abstract>