Classification of the Asian snake genera Lycodon and Oligodon has proven challenging. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis to estimate the phylogenetic relationships in the genus of Lycodon and clarify the t...Classification of the Asian snake genera Lycodon and Oligodon has proven challenging. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis to estimate the phylogenetic relationships in the genus of Lycodon and clarify the taxonomic status of Oligodon multizonatum using mitochondrial(cyt b, ND4) and nuclear(c-mos) genes. Phylogenetic trees estimated using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference indicated that O. multizonatum is actually a species of Lycodon. Comparing morphological data from O. multizonatum and its closest relatives also supported this conclusion. Our results imply that a thorough review of the evolutionary relationships in the genus of Lycodon is strong suggested.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 31071913)
文摘Classification of the Asian snake genera Lycodon and Oligodon has proven challenging. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis to estimate the phylogenetic relationships in the genus of Lycodon and clarify the taxonomic status of Oligodon multizonatum using mitochondrial(cyt b, ND4) and nuclear(c-mos) genes. Phylogenetic trees estimated using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference indicated that O. multizonatum is actually a species of Lycodon. Comparing morphological data from O. multizonatum and its closest relatives also supported this conclusion. Our results imply that a thorough review of the evolutionary relationships in the genus of Lycodon is strong suggested.