A new subspecies of Zamenis hohenackeri (Strauch, 1873) (Serpentes: Colubridae) based on morphological and molecular data

Zugehörigkeit
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Hofmann, Sylvia;
Zugehörigkeit
Institute of Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation
Mebert, Konrad; Schulz, Klaus-Dieter;
Zugehörigkeit
Pädagogische Hochschule Thurgau
Helfenberger, Notker;
Zugehörigkeit
Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Ege University, Faculty of Science
Göcmen, Bayram;
Zugehörigkeit
Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity
Böhme, Wolfgang

Based on morphological characteristics, two subspecies of the Transcaucasian rat snake (Zamenis hohenackeri) are currently recognized, namely Z. h. tauricus and Z. h. hohenackeri. Both subspecies are repeatedly considered to be conspecific colour morphs, or have even been confused with Z. situla. Although, few studies involved the Transcaucasian rat snake in a phylogenetic approach, none has so far led to any taxonomic changes. We assessed the intraspecific morphological variation and phylogeographic relationships among specimens from different locations across its updated distribution. Our molecular (1191 bp mtDNA, 565 bp nuDNA) and morphological data provide sufficient evidence to support three distinct lineages within the Z. hohenackeri complex with a different arrangement compared to a previous study. These represent the subspecies Z. h. hohenackeri, Z. h. tauricus, and a lineage from southwestern Turkey which is described as a new subspecies. Aspects of historical biogeography and conservation status are briefly discussed.

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