4 DISCUSSION
This study represents the first comprehensive investigation ofSibynophis systematics and diversity in China. The phylogenetic
relationships reconstructed using the two methods generated mostly
identical topologies and highly similar support indices for major
clades, with slight differences in support for several shallow nodes.
Phylogenetic analyses further revealed that Chinese species ofSibynophis consisted of four clades (A-D), with well-supported
interclade relationships. Network analyses showed similar results.