Molecular evidence for cryptic species in the common slug eating snake Duberria lutrix lutrix (Squamata, Lamprophiidae) from South Africa

By

Kullenkampff, Kyle
Van Zyl, Francois
Klaus, Sebastian
Daniels, Savel

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

838

Pages

133-154

Subjects

Afrotropical , Alpha taxonomy , altitudinal barriers , phylogenetics , Snakes , Southern Africa

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.838.32022

 

Abstract

We examined the impact of climatic fluctuations on the phylogeographic structure of the common slug eating snake (Duberrialutrixlutrix) throughout its distribution in South Africa. The evolutionary history within the taxon was examined using partial DNA sequence data for two mitochondrial genes (ND4 + cytb) 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 thatDuberrial.lutrixrepresents 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 theD.l.lutrixspecies complex occurred during the Plio/Pleistocene as a result of climatic fluctuations and habitat shifts for the species. A taxonomic revision of theD.l.lutrixspecies complex may be required to delineate possible species boundaries.