Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)

Autores
Di Pietro, Diego Omar; Sánchez, Julieta; Poljak, Sebastián; Alcalde, Leandro
Año de publicación
2026
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
We analysed the genetic and morphological variation in Philodryas patagoniensis, a widely distributed South American racer snake. Two well-differentiated haplogroups were identified using mitochondrial gene sequences (12S and 16S) and the nuclear gene c-mos. Genetic divergence between these haplogroups correlates strongly with morphological differences, allowing the recognition of two morphotypes within P. patagoniensis. We integrated genetic and morphological data into a total evidence analysis using parsimony. Our results support the distinction between the two haplogroups/morphotypes, consistent with recognising two species within P. patagoniensis. Accordingly, we re-describe P. patagoniensis, refining its morphological variation and geographical distribution to reflect the observed genetic differentiation, and describe a new species. Morphological characteristics can distinguish the two species, including body measurements, scale patterns, and cranial osteology. The new species differs from P. patagoniensis sensu stricto in traits associated with arboreal habits, which are strongly correlated with the distribution of the two taxa across forested and open habitats in South America. Furthermore, P. patagoniensis sensu stricto has a significant Lycosa spider component in its diet, which is absent in the newly described species.
Fil: Di Pietro, Diego Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina
Fil: Sánchez, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina
Fil: Poljak, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente; Argentina
Fil: Alcalde, Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; Argentina
Materia
Biodiversity
Dipsadinae
Philodryadini
Serpentes
South America
Systematics
Taxonomy
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/288795
Acceder
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spelling Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)Di Pietro, Diego OmarSánchez, JulietaPoljak, SebastiánAlcalde, LeandroBiodiversityDipsadinaePhilodryadiniSerpentesSouth AmericaSystematicsTaxonomyhttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1We analysed the genetic and morphological variation in Philodryas patagoniensis, a widely distributed South American racer snake. Two well-differentiated haplogroups were identified using mitochondrial gene sequences (12S and 16S) and the nuclear gene c-mos. Genetic divergence between these haplogroups correlates strongly with morphological differences, allowing the recognition of two morphotypes within P. patagoniensis. We integrated genetic and morphological data into a total evidence analysis using parsimony. Our results support the distinction between the two haplogroups/morphotypes, consistent with recognising two species within P. patagoniensis. Accordingly, we re-describe P. patagoniensis, refining its morphological variation and geographical distribution to reflect the observed genetic differentiation, and describe a new species. Morphological characteristics can distinguish the two species, including body measurements, scale patterns, and cranial osteology. The new species differs from P. patagoniensis sensu stricto in traits associated with arboreal habits, which are strongly correlated with the distribution of the two taxa across forested and open habitats in South America. Furthermore, P. patagoniensis sensu stricto has a significant Lycosa spider component in its diet, which is absent in the newly described species.Fil: Di Pietro, Diego Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Poljak, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Alcalde, Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; ArgentinaSenckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung2026-02info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/288795Di Pietro, Diego Omar; Sánchez, Julieta; Poljak, Sebastián; Alcalde, Leandro; Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung; Vertebrate Zoology; 76; 2-2026; 93-1191864-57552625-8498CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com/article/169219/info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3897/vz.76.e169219info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2026-08-25T14:31:56Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/288795instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982026-08-25 14:31:56.765CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
title Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
spellingShingle Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
Di Pietro, Diego Omar
Biodiversity
Dipsadinae
Philodryadini
Serpentes
South America
Systematics
Taxonomy
title_short Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
title_full Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
title_fullStr Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
title_full_unstemmed Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
title_sort Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae)
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Di Pietro, Diego Omar
Sánchez, Julieta
Poljak, Sebastián
Alcalde, Leandro
author Di Pietro, Diego Omar
author_facet Di Pietro, Diego Omar
Sánchez, Julieta
Poljak, Sebastián
Alcalde, Leandro
author_role author
author2 Sánchez, Julieta
Poljak, Sebastián
Alcalde, Leandro
author2_role author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Biodiversity
Dipsadinae
Philodryadini
Serpentes
South America
Systematics
Taxonomy
topic Biodiversity
Dipsadinae
Philodryadini
Serpentes
South America
Systematics
Taxonomy
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv We analysed the genetic and morphological variation in Philodryas patagoniensis, a widely distributed South American racer snake. Two well-differentiated haplogroups were identified using mitochondrial gene sequences (12S and 16S) and the nuclear gene c-mos. Genetic divergence between these haplogroups correlates strongly with morphological differences, allowing the recognition of two morphotypes within P. patagoniensis. We integrated genetic and morphological data into a total evidence analysis using parsimony. Our results support the distinction between the two haplogroups/morphotypes, consistent with recognising two species within P. patagoniensis. Accordingly, we re-describe P. patagoniensis, refining its morphological variation and geographical distribution to reflect the observed genetic differentiation, and describe a new species. Morphological characteristics can distinguish the two species, including body measurements, scale patterns, and cranial osteology. The new species differs from P. patagoniensis sensu stricto in traits associated with arboreal habits, which are strongly correlated with the distribution of the two taxa across forested and open habitats in South America. Furthermore, P. patagoniensis sensu stricto has a significant Lycosa spider component in its diet, which is absent in the newly described species.
Fil: Di Pietro, Diego Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina
Fil: Sánchez, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina
Fil: Poljak, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente; Argentina
Fil: Alcalde, Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; Argentina
description We analysed the genetic and morphological variation in Philodryas patagoniensis, a widely distributed South American racer snake. Two well-differentiated haplogroups were identified using mitochondrial gene sequences (12S and 16S) and the nuclear gene c-mos. Genetic divergence between these haplogroups correlates strongly with morphological differences, allowing the recognition of two morphotypes within P. patagoniensis. We integrated genetic and morphological data into a total evidence analysis using parsimony. Our results support the distinction between the two haplogroups/morphotypes, consistent with recognising two species within P. patagoniensis. Accordingly, we re-describe P. patagoniensis, refining its morphological variation and geographical distribution to reflect the observed genetic differentiation, and describe a new species. Morphological characteristics can distinguish the two species, including body measurements, scale patterns, and cranial osteology. The new species differs from P. patagoniensis sensu stricto in traits associated with arboreal habits, which are strongly correlated with the distribution of the two taxa across forested and open habitats in South America. Furthermore, P. patagoniensis sensu stricto has a significant Lycosa spider component in its diet, which is absent in the newly described species.
publishDate 2026
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2026-02
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/288795
Di Pietro, Diego Omar; Sánchez, Julieta; Poljak, Sebastián; Alcalde, Leandro; Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung; Vertebrate Zoology; 76; 2-2026; 93-119
1864-5755
2625-8498
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/288795
identifier_str_mv Di Pietro, Diego Omar; Sánchez, Julieta; Poljak, Sebastián; Alcalde, Leandro; Morphological and molecular variation reveal cryptic diversity in the racer Philodryas patagoniensis (Girard, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung; Vertebrate Zoology; 76; 2-2026; 93-119
1864-5755
2625-8498
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com/article/169219/
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3897/vz.76.e169219
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
collection CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname_str Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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score 13.24418

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