Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the genus Apostolepis Cope, 1862 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae, Elapomorphini)

Abstract

The Elapomorhini Tribe differ widely in their standard of intraspecific body color, which tends to generate frequent taxonomic controversies persist. The Apostolepis genre, is known to have a confusing taxonomic history, which contributes to a lack of definition in phylogenetic relationships within the group. Currently there are 32 species of the genus, distributed in South America east of the Andes. Their phylogenetic affinities have been the subject of unresolved issues, as constants rearrangements nomenclatural over the years, invalidations, revalidation, synonymization and reviews. The great morphological variability, the Apostolepis genus have been described and redescribed, with its position questioned every new job. Currently, it is remarkable The need to combine molecular methods and analysis of morphological characters in search of a broader understanding and integrative in snakes, which seems to be the most appropriate approach given the complexity of the taxonomic Apostolepis genre. In this context, carrying out a comprehensive and detailed study that combines both molecular and morphological aspects, represent an undeniable progress in the understanding of the taxonomic status of the species in the revision of this genus and its phylogenetic relationships. Thus, the present project aims to proceed with the taxonomic revision of nominal taxa the species level of the genus Apostolepis. Test the phylogenetic relationship between these hypotheses taxa in order to better define the natural limits of the studied populations and test the monophyly and positioning phylogenetic analysis of the genus in the tribe Apostolepis Elapomorphini. (AU)