3 RESULTS
The BI and ML analyses depicted relatively consistent topologies (Fig.
2). All species of Sibynophis formed a highly supported lineage.
Sister species S. bistrigatus and S. subpunctatus were
basal to the lineage, while all other specimens formed another monophyly
with strong support. The Chinese specimens were positioned in four
distinct but highly supported clades (A-D). Clade A was composed of
specimens from eastern Yunnan and Guizhou, China; clade B consisted of
samples from China (Xizang) and Myanmar; clade C contained specimens
from China (Yunnan), Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia; and clade D
contained specimens from Vietnam and China (Sichuan, Shaanxi, and
southern China). The four clades formed a highly supported monophyly
with well-resolved interclade relationships (D, (A, (B, C))). A sample
previously identified as S. collaris (CAS 240150) is much
distinct from the other S. collaris identified samples (B clade).
Uncorrected p -distances between species and clades are listed in
Table 2. The interspecific/clade genetic distances ranged from 8.3%
(clades B and C) to 21.2% (clade B and S. bistrigatus ) based on
cyt.b and from 7.9% (clades B and C) to 18.3% (clade D and
sample CAS 240150) based on ND2 (Table 2).
The network inferred from the c-mos gene showed each species/clade
exhibited unique haplotype, except clade B (S. collaris ), which
shared a haplotype with clade C (S. triangularis ).Sibynophis c. grahami , S. c. chinensis , and S.
triangularis contained three, two, and two unique haplotypes,
respectively (Fig. 3).