Abstract
The present study reports the existence of cliff racer, Platyceps rhodorachis from the plains of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 10 specimens were captured during the field surveys from June to September, 2018 from different sites of Punjab. Platyceps rhodorachis was identify on the basis of morphology and confirmed through COI gene sequences. The obtained DNA sequences have shown reliable and exact species identification. Newly produced DNA sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis were submitted to GenBank and accession numbers were obtained (MK936174.1, MK941839.1 and MT790210.1). N-J tree based on COI sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis clearly separated as out-group with other members of family Colubridae based on p-distance. The intra-specific genetic variation ranges from 12% to 18%. The DNA sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis kashmirensis, Platyceps rhodorachis ladacensis, Platyceps ventromaculatus, Platyceps ventromaculatus bengalensis and Platyceps ventromaculatus indusai are not available at NCBI to validate their taxonomic positions. In our recommendations, a large scale molecular based identification of Pakistan's herpetofauna is required to report more new or subspecies from country.
Highlights
World’s almost all eco-biological regions are represented within comparatively little territory of Pakistan (796,095 sq. km), supported by immense variations in its geo-ecology, from mangrove forests along Sea coast in the south to the world’s highest chain of mountains: the western Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges (Ali et al, 2016)
The present study provides basic information, distribution, ecological description and molecular identification of Platyceps rhodorachis from Punjab, Pakistan
Distribution The present study reports the first record of cliff racer, Platyceps rhodorachis from the plains of Punjab, Pakistan
Summary
World’s almost all eco-biological regions are represented within comparatively little territory of Pakistan (796,095 sq. km), supported by immense variations in its geo-ecology, from mangrove forests along Sea coast in the south to the world’s highest chain of mountains: the western Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges (Ali et al, 2016). Km), supported by immense variations in its geo-ecology, from mangrove forests along Sea coast in the south to the world’s highest chain of mountains: the western Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges (Ali et al, 2016). Snakes specially play an important role in the ecosystem. They are important in the control of rodents and insects populations in the nature. The present study provides basic information, distribution, ecological description and molecular identification of Platyceps rhodorachis from Punjab, Pakistan. A few (n=5) specimens were euthanized and preserved in 95% alcohol for molecular identification. DNA samples were brought to PC-2 lab at School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia for molecular identification. Genetic identities were calculated using Mega 10 based on p-distance
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