Abstract
Leptophis ahaetulla is bright green, arboreal coulubrid snake found in South America and Trinidad and Tobago. It has been regarded as a suspiciously variable species, which indicates it may be a cryptic species complex. In this study, we compare 11 specimens of Leptophis ahaetulla using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial genes 16S and cytochrome b (1,383 bp total). The phylogenetic analysis reveals a strongly supported clade comprised of the island specimens, indicating they are a separate species from L. ahaetulla. Thus, Leptophis coeruleodorsus (Oliver, 1942), formerly a subspecies of L. ahaetulla can be given full species status.
Advisor
Fraga, Dean
Second Advisor
Lehtinen, Richard
Department
Biology
Recommended Citation
Koeller, Krista Leslie Marie, "Reconsidering the Classification of the Parrot Snake, Leptophis ahaetulla (Squamata: Serpentes, Colubridae) As a Single Species" (2013). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 4944.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/4944
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Evolution | Zoology
Publication Date
2013
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2013 Krista Leslie Marie Koeller
