Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)
Inês Freitas
Sylvain Ursenbacher
Konrad Mebert
Oleksandr Zinenko
Silke Schweiger
Wolfgang Wüster
José C. Brito
Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović
Bálint Halpern
Soumia Fahd
Xavier Santos
Juan M. Pleguezuelos
Ulrich Joger
Nikolay Orlov
Edvárd Mizsei
Olivier Lourdais
Marco A. L. Zuffi
Alexandru Strugariu
Ștefan Remus Zamfirescu
Íñigo Martínez-Solano
Guillermo Velo-Antón
Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou
Fernando Martínez-Freiría
10.6084/m9.figshare.12044412.v1
https://brill.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Evaluating_taxonomic_inflation_towards_evidence-based_species_delimitation_in_Eurasian_vipers_Serpentes_Viperinae_/12044412
The designation of taxonomic units has important implications for the
understanding and conservation of biodiversity. Eurasian vipers are a
monophyletic group of viperid snakes (Serpentes, Viperinae), currently
comprising four genera (<i>Daboia</i>, <i>Macrovipera</i>, <i>Montivipera</i> and <i>Vipera</i>)
and up to 40 species. Taxonomic units have been described using a wide variety
of methods and criteria, and consequently, considerable controversy still
surrounds the validity of some currently listed species. In order to promote a
consensus- and evidence-based taxonomy of Eurasian vipers, we analysed
published mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences for this group to reconstruct
phylogenetic relationships among currently recognized viper species. We also
compiled information on external morphology to assess their morphological
distinctiveness. Phylogenetic inference based on mtDNA sequences shows
contrasting levels of divergence across genera and species and identifies
several instances of non-monophyly in described species. Nuclear DNA sequences
show extremely low levels of genetic variation, with a widespread pattern of
allele sharing among distant species, and even among genera. Revision of
morphological data shows that most species designations rely on scalation
traits that overlap extensively among species of the same genus. Based on our
combined assessment, we recognize 15 taxa as valid species, three taxa which
likely represent species complexes, 17 taxa of doubtful validity as species,
and five taxa for which species status is maintained but further research is highly recommended
to assess taxonomic arrangements. We stress the need to implement
integrative taxonomic approaches for the recognition of evidence-based
taxonomic units in Eurasian vipers.
2020-04-10 07:46:35
integrative taxonomy
morphology
mt-DNA
nuclear DNA
phylogeny
Viperidae
Ecology not elsewhere classified