Molecular evidence for cryptic species in the common slug eating snake Duberria lutrix lutrix (Squamata, Lamprophiidae) from South Africa
Date
2019-04-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pensoft
Abstract
We examined the impact of climatic fluctuations on the phylogeographic structure of the common
slug eating snake (Duberria lutrix lutrix) throughout its distribution in South Africa. The evolutionary
history within the taxon was examined using partial DNA sequence data for two mitochondrial genes
(ND4 + cyt b) in combination with a nuclear locus (SPTBN1). Phylogenetic relationships were investigated
for both the combined mtDNA and total evidence DNA sequence data. In addition, population
and demographic analyses together with divergence time estimations were conducted on the combined
mtDNA data. Topologies derived from the combined mtDNA analyses and the total evidence analyses
were congruent and retrieved five statistically well-supported clades, suggesting that Duberria l. lutrix
represents a species complex. The five clades were generally allopatric, separated by altitudinal barriers
and characterised by the absence of shared mtDNA haplotypes suggesting long term isolation. Divergence
time estimations indicate that the diversification within the D. l. lutrix species complex occurred during
the Plio/Pleistocene as a result of climatic fluctuations and habitat shifts for the species. A taxonomic revision
of the D. l. lutrix species complex may be required to delineate possible species boundaries.
Description
CITATION: Kulenkampff, K., et al. 2019. Molecular evidence for cryptic species in the common slug eating snake Duberria lutrix lutrix (Squamata, Lamprophiidae) from South Africa. ZooKeys, 838:133-154, doi:10.3897/zookeys.838.32022.
The original publication is available at http://zookeys.pensoft.net
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://zookeys.pensoft.net
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Snakes -- Phylogeny, Duberria lutrix lutrix (Squamata, Lamprophiidae), Snakes -- South Africa
Citation
Kulenkampff, K., et al. 2019. Molecular evidence for cryptic species in the common slug eating snake Duberria lutrix lutrix (Squamata, Lamprophiidae) from South Africa. ZooKeys, 838:133-154, doi:10.3897/zookeys.838.32022