Integrating phylogenetics and environmental niche models to evaluate the taxonomic status of subspecies of Epicrates cenchria (Serpentes, Boidae).

PAULA CECILIA RIVERA; VALERIA DI COLA; JUAN JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ; CRISTINA NOEMÍ GARDENAL; MARGARITA CHIARAVIGLIO

Varadero, Cuba

Simposio; VIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Herpetologia.; 2008

The rainbow boa Epicrates cenchria is distributed in neotropical mainland areas of Central and South America. Its different morphotypes are classified as subspecies, given the lack of reproductive isolation among them. A recent taxonomic revision using morphologic characters suggests that five of the nine recognized subspecies should be elevated to the species rank: E. cenchria, E. crassus, E. maurus, E. assisi, and E. alvarezi. In order to clarify the taxonomic status of the morphotypes of E. cenchria we performed a phylogenetic analysis and an environmental niche modeling in the group. We also examine the extent to which niche similarity between extant species is correlated to their phylogenetic relationships. Our results indicate that overlapping areas are small or rare and allopatry or parapatry is the general pattern of distribution in this group. The phylogenetic reconstruction showed that the rainbow boas are monophyletic, being E. alvarezi the most basal form in relation with the other two clades: E.  crassus-E. assisi, and E. maurus-E. cenchria. Reconstruction of ancestral characters on the tree showed high variation in environmental variables like temperature seasonality and minimum temperature of the coldest month, indicating niche shifts in the history of the group. The relationship between genetic distances and ecological-envelope overlaps shows a non-consistent pattern in niche evolution among morphotypes of the E. cenchria group. Our results support the specific status of the five subspecies analyzed.