Integration of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences and morphology reveals unexpected diversity in the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) species complex in Central and West Africa (Serpentes: Elapidae (original) (raw)
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We use a combination of phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences and multivariate morphometrics to investigate the phylogeography and systematics of the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) species complex. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial haplotypes reveals a highly distinct clade of haplotypes from the Sudano-Sahelian savanna belt of West Africa, and that the haplotypes of Naja haje arabica form the sister group of North and East African N. h. haje. Multivariate morphometrics confirm the distinctness of the Arabian populations, which are consequently recognised as a full species, Naja arabica Scortecci. The Sudano-Sahelian populations are also found to represent a morphologically distinct taxon, and thus a separate species, which we describe as Naja senegalensis sp. nov. The new species differs from all other members of the N. haje complex by a combination of colour pattern and scalation characteristics (especially higher numbers of scale rows around the neck), and the possession of a unique clade of mtDNA haplotypes. The distribution of the new species includes savanna areas of West Africa, from Senegal to western Niger and Nigeria.
A new species of spitting cobra Naja nubiae sp. nov. is described from north-eastern Africa. The distinctiveness of the new species is confirmed by multivariate analysis of pattern and scalation data. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences reveals the new species to be the sister taxon of N. pallida, but with considerable levels of sequence divergence relative to that species. The populations concerned had previously been assigned to N. pallida. The new species differs from N. pallida principally in having more than one dark band across the neck and under the throat, as well as a pair of spots under the throat. It occupies a disjunct range across Egypt, the Sudan, Chad, Niger and Eritrea, where it seems to occupy primarily relatively mesic habitats. Naja mossambica is more closely related to N. nigricollis than to N. pallida and the new species. A key to the African species of Naja is presented.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2007
We use phylogenetic analysis of 1333 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequence to investigate the phylogeny and historical biogeography of the cobra-like elapid snakes, with special reference to the evolution of spitting and the phylogeography of the African spitting cobras, a radiation widespread in open vegetational formations throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Our results suggest that spitting adaptations appear to have evolved three times in cobras, but alternative scenarios cannot be rejected. The Asiatic Naja are monophyletic and originate from a single colonization of Asia from Africa. The radiation of the African spitting Naja appears to date back to the early Miocene and many speciation events in the group predate the Pliocene expansion of grasslands and the radiation of large grazing mammals in Africa. The cladogenic events in this complex appear to have been triggered by both ecological changes and tectonic events associated with the formation and expansion of the African Rift Valley....
We analysed the systematics of the 'non-spitting' cobras of southern Africa, paying particular attention to the Naja annulifera complex. Multivariate morphometric analyses demonstrate that the taxa annulifera and anchietae are consistently distinct and homogenous over their respective ranges, and their distributions overlap in western Zimbabwe, with only limited intergradation. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicate that they are separated by considerable genetic distances. These results suggest that these two taxa are morphologically and genetically distinct evolutionary lineages, and should be considered as two separate evolutionary species, N. annulifera and N. anchietae.
A new species of spitting cobra (Naja) from north-eastern Africa (Serpentes: Elapidae)
Journal of Zoology, 2003
A new species of spitting cobra Naja nubiae sp. nov. is described from north-eastern Africa. The distinctiveness of the new species is confirmed by multivariate analysis of pattern and scalation data. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences reveals the new species to be the sister taxon of N. pallida, but with considerable levels of sequence divergence relative to that species. The populations concerned had previously been assigned to N. pallida. The new species differs from N. pallida principally in having more than one dark band across the neck and under the throat, as well as a pair of spots under the throat. It occupies a disjunct range across Egypt, the Sudan, Chad, Niger and Eritrea, where it seems to occupy primarily relatively mesic habitats. Naja mossambica is more closely related to N. nigricollis than to N. pallida and the new species. A key to the African species of Naja is presented.
The genus Naja Laurenti, 1768, is partitioned into four subgenera. The typical form is restricted to 11 Asian species. The name Uraeus Wagler, 1830, is revived for a group of four non-spitting cobras inhabiting savannas and open formations of Africa and Arabia, while Boulengerina Dollo, 1886, is applied to four non-spitting African species of forest cobras, including terrestrial, aquatic and semi-fossorial forms. A new subgenus is erected for seven species of African spitting cobras. We recommend the subgenus rank as a way of maximising the phylogenetic information content of classifications while retaining nomenclatural stability.
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019
Siamese cobra (Naja kaouthia) exhibits highly toxic venom, which causes morbidity and mortality. Accurate species identification through molecular approaches is very important to administer correct antivenoms. The Siamese cobra mitogenome contains 17,203 bp with slight AT bias (58.2%) containing 37 genes in identical order to snake mitogenomes; no tandem repeat was found in the control region. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Siamese and other cobras had highly supported monophyletic clades similar to the genus Naja and close relationships with other elapid snakes. Our results will facilitate clinical diagnosis and enrich genomic resources for future evolutionary studies and conservation management.
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 2011
The snake family Lamprophiidae Fitzinger (Serpentes: Elapoidea) is a putatively Late Eocene radiation of nocturnal snakes endemic to the African continent. It incorporates many of the most characteristic and prolific of Africa's non-venomous snake species, including the widespread type genus Lamprophis Fitzinger, 1843 (house snakes). We used approximately 2500 bases of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data from 28 (41%) of the approximately 68 recognised lamprophiid species in nine of the eleven genera to investigate phylogenetic structure in the family and to inform taxonomy at the generic level. Cytochrome b, ND4 and tRNA gene sequences (mitochondrial) and c-mos sequences (nuclear) were analysed using Maximum Likelihood, Bayesian Inference and Maximum Parsimony methods. The genus Mehelya Csiki, 1903 was paraphyletic with respect to Gonionotophis Boulenger, 1893. To address this, the concept of Gonionotophis is expanded to include all current Mehelya species. The genus Lamprophis emerged polyphyletic: the enigmatic Lamprophis swazicus was sister to Hormonotus modestus from West Africa, and not closely related to its nominal congeners. It is moved to a new monotypic genus (Inyoka gen. nov.). The remaining Lamprophis species occur in three early-diverging lineages. (1) Lamprophis virgatus and the widely distributed Lamprophis fuliginosus species complex (which also includes Lamprophis lineatus and Lamprophis olivaceus) formed a clade for which the generic name Boaedon Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 is resurrected. (2) The water snakes (Lycodonomorphus) were nested within Lamprophis (sensu lato), sister to Lamprophis inornatus. We transfer this species to the genus Lycodonomorphus Fitzinger, 1843. (3) We restrict Lamprophis (sensu strictissimo) to a small clade of four species endemic to southern Africa: the type species of Lamprophis Fitzinger, 1843 (Lamprophis aurora) plus Lamprophis fiskii, Lamprophis fuscus and Lamprophis guttatus.