Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group
Published on: August 16, 2017
A phylogeny of the trimeresurus group of pit vipers: new evidence from a mitochondrial gene tree
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The Trimeresurus group is an important radiation of over 40 Asian pit viper species. Once considered congeneric, four genera are generally currently recognized (Trimeresurus sensu stricto, Ovophis, Protobothrops, and Tropidolaemus) but relationships within and between these are still unclear. This study, based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences, is the first to include a large number of species (21) and demonstrates that the current taxonomy does not adequately represent either the relationships or the genetic diversity present in the complex. Although many deeper nodes are not strongly supported, the following novel conclusions are all well supported: (1) the paraphyly of Trimeresurus sensu stricto, (2) the presence of several divergent clades within Trimeresurus sensu stricto, (3) the paraphyly of some widespread, medically significant, species, (4) the nonmonophyly of Ovophis, and (5) the monophyly of Protobothrops. Mapping of morphological characters onto the mitochondrial tree further supports the four groups proposed for Trimeresurus sensu stricto.
Related Concept Videos
Phylogeny
Phylogenetic Trees
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Phylogenetic Trees
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Microbial Phylogeny

