Multilocus phylogeny reveals unexpected diversification patterns inAsian wolf snakes (genusLycodon)

Abstract

The diverse group of Asian wolf snakes of the genusLycodonrepresents one of many poorly understood radiations of advanced snakes in the superfamilyColubroidea. Outside of three species having previously been represented in higher‐level phylogenetic analyses, nothing is known of the relationships among species in this unique, moderately diverse, group. The genus occurs widely from central to Southeast Asia, and contains both widespread species to forms that are endemic to small islands. One‐third of the diversity is found in thePhilippine archipelago. Both morphological similarity and highly variable diagnostic characters have contributed to confusion over species‐level diversity. Additionally, the placement of the genus among genera in the subfamilyColubrinae remains uncertain, although previous studies have supported a close relationship with the genusDinodon. In this study, we provide the first estimate of phylogenetic relationships within the genusLycodonusing a new multi‐locus data set. We provide statistical tests of monophyly based on biogeographic, morphological and taxonomic hypotheses. With few exceptions, we are able to reject many of these hypotheses, indicating a need for taxonomic revisions and a reconsideration of the group's biogeography. Mapping of color patterns on our preferred phylogenetic tree suggests that banded and blotched types have evolved on multiple occasions in the history of the genus, whereas the solid‐color (and possibly speckled) morphotype color patterns evolved only once. Our results reveal that the colubrid genusDinodonis nested withinLycodon—a clear finding that necessitates the placing of the former genus in synonymy with the latter.