Contribution to the phylogeography of the nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Central Balkan Peninsula(Article)(Open Access)
- aDepartment of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, Niš, 18000, Serbia
- bDepartment of Genetics, Inst. for Biological Research 'Siniša Stankovic' - National Inst. of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
- cDepartment of Hydroecology and Water Protection, Inst. for Biological Research 'Siniša Stankovic' - National Inst. of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
- dDepartment of Evolutionary Biology, Inst. for Biological Research 'Siniša Stankovic' - National Inst. of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
Abstract
Seven genetic clades have been recognized within the species Vipera ammodytes (nose-horned viper); however, the precise phylogenetic position of many Balkan populations is unknown. We used Bayesian analysis of the mtDNA sequences from the 16S rRNA mtDNA gene obtained from 47 individuals (26 novel samples sequenced in this study and 21 sequences available from GenBank). Our results show that sampled nose-horned vipers from localities in Serbia are clustered within three clades: the northeastern (23 individuals), the northwestern (two individuals) and the southeastern (one individual). Results revealed an overlapping distribution of the northeastern and the northwestern clades in two populations. We have revealed that the northeastern clade extends further south than previously suggested, to the Ohrid/Prespa lakes in North Macedonia. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of this species in Serbia and help to clarify the geographical distributions of mtDNA-defined clades. © 2019 by the Serbian Biological Society.
Funding details
| Funding sponsor | Funding number | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| Rufford Foundation | 23392-2,19578-1 | |
| 173025,TR37009,37009 |
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1
The fieldwork was kindly funded by The Rufford Foundation (Grant Nos. 19578-1 and 23392-2) for TC, and by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 173025 for both JCI and TC. Genetic analyses were supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Grant no TR37009. The authors wish to thank Nikola Vuletic and Oliver Isailovic for their logistic assistance. The authors are grateful to Dr. Andrew Durso for editing the manuscript.
- ISSN: 03544664
- Source Type: Journal
- Original language: English
- DOI: 10.2298/ABS181020028C
- Document Type: Article
- Publisher: Institut za Bioloska Istrazivanja
Cubrić, T.; Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, Niš, Serbia;
© Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
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