Psammophiidae: Difference between revisions
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Psammophiidae Bourgeois, 1968 is found in Africa, the Middle East, Madagascar, southern Europe, and south-central Asia, and consists of eight genera and approximately 50 extant species (Table 1), approximately 30 of which belong to the type genus Psammophis Boie, 1825. Dipsina Jan, 1863 (one species), Dromophis Peters, 1869 (two species), Hemirhagerrhis Boettger, 1893 (four species), Malpolon Fitzinger, 1826 (three species), Mimophis Günther, 1868 (one species), Psammophylax Fitzinger, 1843 (four species), and Rhamphiophis Peters, 1854 (five species) are among the other genera. Numerous phylogenetic studies based on immunological data (Cadle, 1994) and mitochondrial DNA sequences (Gravlund, 2001, Vidal and Hedges, 2002, Kelly et al., 2003, Nagy et al., 2003) have established the family's monophyly. Psammophiidae is also distinguished by various morphological synapomorphies, most notably the vestigial nature. |
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From the provided information, here are the key facts about Psammophiidae: |
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Classification: Psammophiidae is a snake family that is widespread and taxonomically challenging. It is found in Africa, the Middle East, Madagascar, southern Europe, and south-central Asia. The family includes eight genera and about 50 extant species, with the majority belonging to the type genus Psammophis Boie, 1825. Other genera within the family include Dipsina, Dromophis, Hemirhagerrhis, Malpolon, Mimophis, Psammophylax, and Rhamphiophis. |
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Monophyly and Morphological Synapomorphies: The family Psammophiidae is recognized as a monophyletic group, and it is defined by several morphological synapomorphies. One prominent characteristic is the vestigial nature of the male genitalia (hemipenes), which are short, thin, and devoid of the ornamentation typical of other snake species. |
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Taxonomic Challenges: Psammophiidae, particularly within the genus Psammophis, has been taxonomically problematic, with species boundaries and delimitations being subject to varying opinions since the late 1800s. The Psammophis 'sibilans' species complex is especially challenging and has been a source of uncertainty in African snake taxonomy. |
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Phylogenetic Study: The provided information references a study aimed at addressing the phylogenetic relationships within the Psammophiidae family and improving the taxonomic understanding of Psammophis species complexes. The study used DNA sequencing data, including mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, and involved extensive taxon sampling. |
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Results: The study's results have led to several taxonomic conclusions, including reassigning some species between genera and resolving the phylogenetic relationships within the family. For example, Rhamphiophis is diphyletic, and the study suggests transferring three subspecies of Rhamphiophis acutus to the genus Psammophylax. Additionally, the study identifies two monophyletic entities within the Psammophis 'sibilans' species complex, tentatively named the 'phillipsii' and 'subtaeniatus' complexes. |
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Overall, the family Psammophiidae is of significant interest in the context of snake evolution and taxonomy, and the study mentioned in the provided information contributes to a better understanding of the relationships and boundaries within this family of snakes. |
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==Genera== |
==Genera== |
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It contains 8 [[genus|genera]]:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?submit=Search&exact%5B0%5D=taxon&taxon=Psammophiinae | title=Psammophiinae | work=Reptile Database | access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref> |
It contains 8 [[genus|genera]]:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?submit=Search&exact%5B0%5D=taxon&taxon=Psammophiinae | title=Psammophiinae | work=Reptile Database | access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:40, 28 October 2023
| Psammophiidae | |
|---|---|
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| Malpolon monspessulanus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Superfamily: | Elapoidea |
| Family: | Psammophiidae Bourgeois, 1968 |
| Genera | |
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8, see text | |
Psammophiidae Bourgeois, 1968 is found in Africa, the Middle East, Madagascar, southern Europe, and south-central Asia, and consists of eight genera and approximately 50 extant species (Table 1), approximately 30 of which belong to the type genus Psammophis Boie, 1825. Dipsina Jan, 1863 (one species), Dromophis Peters, 1869 (two species), Hemirhagerrhis Boettger, 1893 (four species), Malpolon Fitzinger, 1826 (three species), Mimophis Günther, 1868 (one species), Psammophylax Fitzinger, 1843 (four species), and Rhamphiophis Peters, 1854 (five species) are among the other genera. Numerous phylogenetic studies based on immunological data (Cadle, 1994) and mitochondrial DNA sequences (Gravlund, 2001, Vidal and Hedges, 2002, Kelly et al., 2003, Nagy et al., 2003) have established the family's monophyly. Psammophiidae is also distinguished by various morphological synapomorphies, most notably the vestigial nature.
Genera
- Dipsina Jan, 1862
- Hemirhagerrhis Boettger, 1893
- Kladirostratus Conradie, Keates & Edwards, 2019
- Malpolon Fitzinger, 1826
- Mimophis Günther, 1868
- Psammophis Fitzinger, 1826
- Psammophylax Fitzinger, 1843
- Rhamphiophis Peters, 1854
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psammophiidae.
References
- ^ "Psammophiinae". Reptile Database. Retrieved 28 December 2016.