Authors
Werner Conradie, V Deepak, Chad Keates, David J Gower
Publication date
2020/8/31
Source
African Journal of Herpetology
Volume
69
Issue
1
Pages
79-107
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Description
The African natricine genus Limnophis is represented by two species: Limnophis bicolor Günther, and Limnophis bangweolicus (Mertens, ). They are stout-bodied, semi-aquatic snakes that mostly feed on fish and amphibians, and occur from Botswana and Namibia in the south throughout most of Zambia and Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the north. We gathered new material from the ranges of both species in Angola and Zambia in order to examine their taxonomic status and identify any overlooked diversity. We constructed a phylogenetic tree, based on three mitochondrial genes (16S, cytb, ND4) and one nuclear gene (cmos), which includes the first DNA sequence data for Limnophis. Three well-supported lineages were identified, each representing separate species. The taxonomic status of the two currently recognised species is validated, and we describe a new species of Limnophis …
Total citations
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