Abstract

The banded krait, Bungarus fasciatus is a widespread elapid snake, likely to comprise several distinct species in different geographic regions of Asia. Therefore, based on molecular phylogenetics and comparative morphology data, we present an overview of the systematic composition of the species to delimit potential biogeographic boundaries. Our phylogenetic analyses, based on four mitochondrial genes, reveal the existence of at least three evolutionary lineages within B.fasciatus, corresponding to Indo-Myanmar, Sundaic and eastern Asian lineages. We are convinced that there are at least three taxonomic entities within the nomen B.fasciatus and restrict the distribution of B.fasciatus sensu stricto to the Indo-Myanmar region. We also provide additional natural history data of the taxon from eastern India. Finally, we advocate further studies to establish the degree of reproductive isolation among these diverging evolutionary lineages and to reassess the systematic status of this species complex especially the Sundaic and eastern Asian lineages.

Details

Title
Molecular phylogeny reveals distinct evolutionary lineages of the banded krait, Bungarusfasciatus (Squamata, Elapidae) in Asia
Author
Biakzuala, Lal 1 ; Lalremsanga, Hmar T. 1 ; Santra, Vishal 2 ; Dhara, Arindam 3 ; Ahmed, Molla T. 3 ; Mallick, Ziniya B. 3 ; Kuttalam, Sourish 4 ; Amarasinghe, A. A. Thasun 5 ; Malhotra, Anita 6 

 Mizoram University, Developmental Biology and Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Aizawl, India (GRID:grid.411813.e) (ISNI:0000 0000 9217 3865) 
 Society for Nature Conservation, Research and Community Engagement, Hooghly, India (GRID:grid.411813.e); Captive and Field Herpetology, Anglesey, UK (GRID:grid.411813.e) 
 Society for Nature Conservation, Research and Community Engagement, Hooghly, India (GRID:grid.411813.e) 
 Society for Nature Conservation, Research and Community Engagement, Hooghly, India (GRID:grid.411813.e); Bangor University, Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor, UK (GRID:grid.7362.0) (ISNI:0000000118820937) 
 Universitas Indonesia, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Depok, Indonesia (GRID:grid.9581.5) (ISNI:0000000120191471) 
 Bangor University, Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor, UK (GRID:grid.7362.0) (ISNI:0000000118820937) 
Pages
2061
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2772534645
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.