ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of the genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 from Daming Mountain, Shanglin County, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on a single adult male specimen. It can be distinguished from all the other species in Achalinus by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) a bright yellow collar around the neck, extending forward to the ventral of the head; (2) tail length comparatively long, TaL/Tol ratio 0.25; (3) DSR 23-23-23, moderately keeled; (4) VS 3+162; (5) SC 74, unpaired; (6) cloacal plate entire; (7) SPL 6, the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (8) IFL 6, the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (9) a single loreal; (10) length of suture between internasal significantly longer than that between prefrontal, LSBI/LSBP ratio 1.34; (11) two pairs of chin shields; (12) longitudinal vertebral line absent. In addition, the uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other known congeners ranged from 6.3% to 25.4% for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). With the addition of the new species the total number of described Achalinus species is increased to 23 of which 17 are found in China.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Snakes , Male , Animals , China , Animal Distribution , PhylogenyABSTRACT
A new species of the genus Hebius Thompson, 1913 is described from Youjiang District, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on a single adult female specimen. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) dorsal scale rows 19-17-17, feebly keeled except the outermost row; (2) tail length comparatively long, TAL/TL ratio 0.30 in females; (3) ventrals 160 (+ 3 preventrals); (4) subcaudals 112; (5) supralabials 9, the fourth to sixth in contact with the eye; (6) infralabials 10, the first 5 touching the first pair of chin shields; (7) preocular 1; (8) postoculars 2; (9) temporals 4, arranged in three rows (1+1+2); (10) maxillary teeth 30, the last 3 enlarged, without diastem; (11) postocular streak presence; (12) background color of dorsal brownish black, a conspicuous, uniform, continuous beige stripe extending from behind the eye to the end of the tail; (13) anterior venter creamish-yellow, gradually fades to the rear, with irregular black blotches in the middle and outer quarter of ventrals, the posterior part almost completely black. The discovery of the new species increases the number of species in the genus Hebius to 51.
Subject(s)
Colubridae , Lizards , Female , Animals , China , Animal Distribution , Tail , Animal Structures , PhylogenyABSTRACT
DNA barcoding has greatly facilitated studies of taxonomy, biodiversity, biological conservation, and ecology. Here, we establish a reliable DNA barcoding library for Chinese snakes, unveiling hidden diversity with implications for taxonomy, and provide a standardized tool for conservation management. Our comprehensive study includes 1638 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from Chinese snakes that correspond to 17 families, 65 genera, 228 named species (80.6% of named species) and 36 candidate species. A barcode gap analysis reveals gaps, where all nearest neighbour distances exceed maximum intraspecific distances, in 217 named species and all candidate species. Three species-delimitation methods (ABGD, sGMYC, and sPTP) recover 320 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), of which 192 OTUs correspond to named and candidate species. Twenty-eight other named species share OTUs, such as Azemiops feae and A. kharini, Gloydius halys, G. shedaoensis, and G. intermedius, and Bungarus multicinctus and B. candidus, representing inconsistencies most probably caused by imperfect taxonomy, recent and rapid speciation, weak taxonomic signal, introgressive hybridization, and/or inadequate phylogenetic signal. In contrast, 43 species and candidate species assign to two or more OTUs due to having large intraspecific distances. If most OTUs detected in this study reflect valid species, including the 36 candidate species, then 30% more species would exist than are currently recognized. Several OTU divergences associate with known biogeographic barriers, such as the Taiwan Strait. In addition to facilitating future studies, this reliable and relatively comprehensive reference database will play an important role in the future monitoring, conservation, and management of Chinese snakes.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic , Humans , Animals , Phylogeny , DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods , Snakes/genetics , Electron Transport Complex IV/geneticsABSTRACT
A new species of odd-scaled snake in the genus Achalinus is described from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China, based on seven female specimens. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) dorsum iridescent and uniformly dark brown in preservative, longitudinal vertebral line absent; (2) light brown beneath; (3) dotted black streak in the middle of the subcaudals absent; (4) tail length relatively short, TaL/ToL 12-16%, in females; (5) fewer subcaudals, 41-46 in females; (6) dorsal scales 23 rows throughout, strongly keeled; the outer-most rows on both sides are also keeled and slightly enlarged; (7) one loreal; (8) internasal not fused to prefrontal; (9) suture between internasals is similar in size when compared to the suture between prefrontals; (10) preocular and postocular absent; (11) 6 supralabials; (12) 5 infralabials, the first 3 (rarely 2) touching the first pair of chin shields; (13) 3 pairs of chin shields. A phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), showed that this new species forms a monophyletic group with strong support. In addition, the uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other known congeners ranged from 3.4% to 13.0%. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 21.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Snakes , Female , Animals , Phylogeny , Animal Structures , Animal Distribution , Lizards/genetics , ChinaABSTRACT
A new species of the soft-shelled turtle genus Pelodiscus is described based on seven specimens from Huangshan, southern Anhui Province, China. The new species, Pelodiscus huangshanensis sp. nov., is distinguished from other species in the genus Pelodiscus by the following characteristics: (1) Small size (maximum carapace length of 101.16 mm and maximum body length of 190 mm); (2) keel high; (3) tiny yellowish-white spots on the throat; (4) no black pinstripes around the eyes; (5) white longitudinal bands on both sides of the neck in juveniles, absent in adults; (6) plastron yellowish-white, and only a dark patch on each side of the armpit; (7) many tubercles on the dorsal surface, but indistinct in the center; and (8) entoplastron â shaped. The phylogenetic relationships of the species in Pelodiscus were reconstructed using the sequences of cytochrome b (cyt b) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) genes. The new species formed a monophyletic clade with strong support. The uncorrected pairwise distances between the new species and other representatives of Pelodiscus ranged from 5.4% to 9.2% for cyt b and 4.1% to 7.6% for ND4. The new species brings the number of species of the genus Pelodiscus to six; five species are distributed in China, with three species endemic to China.
Subject(s)
Turtles , Animals , China , PhylogenyABSTRACT
The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Sphenomorphus indicus was sequenced and characterized by next-generation sequencing technology. The total length of mitogenome is 17,027 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 2 non-coding regions (the control region and the putative L-strand replication origin). Most of the genes of S. indicus are encoded on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and 8 tRNA genes which is distributed on the L-strand. Phylogenetic reconstruction suggested that S. indicus is the sister group of the S. incognitus within the genus Sphenomorphus. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of S. indicus.
ABSTRACT
The sharp-snouted pitviper, Deinagkistrodon acutus, belongs to the monotypic genus Deinagkistrodon of the family Viperidae. It is one of the important species of snakes for its commercial and medicinal value. Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the D. acutus was sequenced by next-generation sequencing technology. The total mitochondrial genome is 17,538 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 2 control regions. Most of the genes of D. acutus are encoded on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which distribute on the L-strand. Phylogenetic reconstruction result indicated that our newly determined mitochondrial genome sequence could meet the demands. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of D. acutus.
ABSTRACT
The Chinese giant salamander (CGS), Andrias davidianus (Amphibian, Caudata, Cryptobranchidae), is endemic to China. After overhunting in the 1990's, it is very difficult to find the CGS in the wild. Due to mating disorder, the captive breeding population is genetically confounded. The genetic backgrounds of all wild-release individuals in China are not explicit. Herein, we reported four living wild-type complete mitochondrial genomes of this species. The gene order and contents are identical to those found in typical vertebrates. Thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs) of 7 A. davidianus (4 from this study, 3 retrieved from GenBank) and 11 other closely species retrieved from GenBank were used to reconstruct phylogenetic tree. The Maximum likelihood (ML) topology shown that the clade of CGS has two subclades with a high support (100%). This study provides partial fundamental information for further exploring the true genetic background of whole population of A. davidianus.
ABSTRACT
The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Achalinus rufescens was determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitogenome is 17,339 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loop). All the protein-coding genes of A. rufescens were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of A. rufescens and 11 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of A. rufescens.
ABSTRACT
The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16 730 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 1 control region (D-loop). All the protein-coding genes in T. merula were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The gene order and contents in the T. merula mitogenome is identical to that found in typical vertebrates. The phylogenetic tree of T. merula and 13 other species belonging to order Passeriformes was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of T. merula.
Subject(s)
Genome, Mitochondrial , Songbirds/genetics , Animals , Avian Proteins/chemistry , Avian Proteins/genetics , Avian Proteins/metabolism , Base Composition , DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry , DNA, Mitochondrial/isolation & purification , DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism , Fish Proteins/chemistry , Fish Proteins/genetics , Fish Proteins/metabolism , NADH Dehydrogenase/chemistry , NADH Dehydrogenase/genetics , NADH Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Open Reading Frames/genetics , Phylogeny , RNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , RNA, Ribosomal/genetics , RNA, Transfer/chemistry , RNA, Transfer/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Songbirds/classificationABSTRACT
The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Zosterops japonicus was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 17 809 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (CR). All the protein-coding genes in Z. japonicus were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of Z. japonicus and 13 other species belonging to order Passeriformes was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of Z. japonicus.
Subject(s)
Genome, Mitochondrial , Passeriformes/genetics , Animals , Avian Proteins/chemistry , Avian Proteins/genetics , Avian Proteins/metabolism , DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry , DNA, Mitochondrial/isolation & purification , DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism , Open Reading Frames/genetics , Passeriformes/classification , Phylogeny , RNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , RNA, Ribosomal/genetics , RNA, Transfer/chemistry , RNA, Transfer/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
The total length of mitogenome of Copsychus saularis is 16 827 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one D-loop. The phylogenetic tree of C. saularis and 13 other species belonging to Passeriformes was built.
ABSTRACT
The total length of mitochondrial genome of Lanius schach is 16 820 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 1 D-loop. The phylogenetic tree of L. schach and 12 other closely species belonging to order Passeriformes was built.
ABSTRACT
The Xianggelila hot-spring snake, Thermophis shangrila (Reptilia, Colubridae), is a species of family Colubridae, which is seen only in Shangri-La, Northern Yunnan, China. Herein, the complete mitochondrial genome of this species has been reported. The total length of the genome was 17,327 bp, and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 control regions. The total base composition was 32.7% for A, 23.7% for T, 13.5% for G and 32.7% for C. The phylogenetic tree with 13 protein-coding genes of T. shangrila together with 12 other closely related species belonging to the family Colubridae was reconstructed.
ABSTRACT
The Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus, is the biggest extant amphibian in the world. The population from Huangshan is distinct from other populations. The complete mitochondrial genome of a living wild-type Chinese giant salamander from Huangshan was sequenced. The total length is 16,565 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a D-loop. The phylogenetic tree of A. davidianus and 12 other closely species belonging to the order Caudata was reconstructed.
