Origin and hidden diversity within the poorly known Galápagos snake radiation (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

MARCO ALTAMIRANO-BENAVIDES; MIGUEL T. RODRIGUES; SANDRO L. BONATTO; ROBERTA GRABOSKI; HUSSAM ZAHER; FELIPE G. GRAZZIOTIN; FABIO A. MACHADO; MARIO H. YÁNEZ-MUÑOZ

SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2018

1477-2000

Galápagos snakes are among the least studied terrestrial vertebrates of the Archipelago. Here,we provide a phylogenetic analysis and a time calibrated tree for the group, based on a sampling of the major populations known to occur in the Archipelago. Our study revealed the presence of two previously unknown species from Santiago and Rábida Islands (Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov. and Pseudalsophis hephestus sp. nov.), and one from Tortuga, Isabela, and Fernandina (Pseudalsophis darwini sp. nov.). We also recognize six additional species of Pseudalsophis in the Galápagos archipelago (Pseudalsophis biserialisfrom San Cristobal, Floreana and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis hoodensis from Española and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis dorsalis from Santa Cruz, Baltra, Santa Fé and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis occidentalis from Fernandina, Isabela, and Tortuga; Pseudalsophis slevini from Pinzon, and Pseudalsophis steindachneri Baltra, Santa Cruz and adjacente islets). Ourtime calibrated tree suggests that the genus Pseudalsophis colonized the Galápagos Archipelago through a single event of oceanic dispersion from the coast of South Americathat occurred at approximately between 6.9 Ma and 4.4 Ma, near the Miocene/Pliocene boundary.