Abstract
Phylogenetic relationships among pitvipers are inferred from a parsimony analysis using cytochrome b DNA sequences: 396 bp in the 5'end of the gene were sequenced in eight species of pitvipers (Agkistrodon blomhoffi, Agkistrodon contortrix, Bodiriechis schlegelii, Bothriopsis bilineata, Bothrops atrox, Crotalus atrox, Lachesis muta and Trimeresurus stejnegeri) and in four taxa used as outgroups (Atractaspis micropholis, Boa constrictor, Cerastes cerastes and Elapsoidea semiannulata). The monophyly of pitvipers and that of the group formed by the genera Atractaspis and Elapsoidea are confirmed. Among pitvipers, the genus Agkistrodon is paraphyletic. The Bothrops complex is polyphyletic, since the Central American genus Bothriechis is the sister group of the genus Crotalus and not clustered with the South American genera Bothriopsis and Bothrops.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences - Series III - Sciences de la Vie
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
