Molecular Phylogenetics of South American Snakes
Summary
Molecular phylogenetics has transformed our understanding of the evolutionary history, diversity and biogeography of South American snakes by integrating DNA sequence data with traditional morphological and ecological approaches. Analyses of mitochondrial genes (such as 12S, 16S and cytochrome b) alongside nuclear markers (including c-mos and RAG1) have clarified relationships among major lineages within families such as Dipsadidae, Colubridae and Viperidae. These studies have revealed instances of convergent morphology, identified cryptic species, and prompted taxonomic revisions at the genus and tribe levels. Multi-locus coalescent methods and next-generation sequencing have further resolved rapid radiations in the Andes, Amazon lowlands and Atlantic Forest, illuminating how geological events and riverine barriers have driven diversification. The resulting phylogenies underpin conservation assessments by highlighting evolutionarily distinct clades under threat from habitat loss and inform our understanding of venom evolution and ecological specialisation. Through an integrative framework, molecular phylogenetics continues to refine the classification of South American snakes and to reveal patterns of diversification that have global significance for vertebrate evolution and conservation planning.
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Molecular Phylogenetics of South American Snakes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular phylogenetics of south american snakes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Mitochondrial DNA: Genetic material from the cell’s energy‐producing organelle, inherited maternally and commonly used in phylogenetic studies for its rapid rate of evolution.
Nuclear marker: A gene located in the cell nucleus, inherited biparentally and valuable for resolving deeper evolutionary divergences and complementing mitochondrial data.
Clade: A group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants, representing a single branch on the tree of life.
Monophyly: The condition in which a taxonomic group contains an ancestor and all its descendants, indicating that the group is natural and evolutionarily cohesive.
Phylogeography: The study of the geographical distribution of genetic lineages, used to infer historical processes such as dispersal, vicariance and population fragmentation.
References
- Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Philodryadini Cope, 1886 (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae): Rediscovering the diversity of the South American Racers. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (2020).
- Molecular phylogeny of Atractus (Serpentes, Dipsadidae), with emphasis on Ecuadorian species and the description of three new taxa. ZooKeys (2017).
- Molecular phylogeny of advanced snakes (Serpentes, Caenophidia) with an emphasis on South American Xenodontines: a revised classification and descriptions of new taxa. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (2009).
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