The Experts below are selected from a list of 2283 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Daniel Jablonski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The biogeography of Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814), with a description of a new rat snake species.
PeerJ, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Oleg V. Kukushkin, Aziz Avci, Sabina Bunyatova, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Çetin Ilgaz, Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Polyakova, Konstantin Shiryaev, Boris Tuniyev, David JandzikAbstract:Background The rat snake genus Elaphe once comprised several dozens of species distributed in temperate through tropical zones of the New and Old World. Based on molecular-genetic analyses in early 2000s, the genus was split into several separate genera, leaving only 15 Palearctic and Oriental species as its members. One of the three species also occurring in Europe is Elaphe sauromates, a robust snake from the Balkans, Anatolia, Caucasus, Ponto-Caspian steppes, and Levant that has been suspected to be composed of two or more genetically diverse populations. Here, we studied the genetic structure and morphological variation of E. sauromates, aiming to better understand its inter-population relationships and biogeography, and subsequently revise its taxonomy. Methods We reconstructed the phylogeography and analyzed the genetic structure of E. sauromates populations originating from most of its geographic range using both mitochondrial (COI, ND4) and nuclear (C-MOS, MC1R, PRLR, RAG1) DNA gene fragments. We employed Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods for the phylogenetic tree reconstructions, supplemented with species delimitation methods, analysis of haplotype networks, and calculation of uncorrected p-distances. Morphological variation in 15 metric and 18 meristic characters was studied using parametric univariate tests as well as multivariate general linearized models. In total, we analyzed sequences originating from 63 specimens and morphological data from 95 specimens of E. sauromates sensu lato. Results The molecular phylogeny identified two clearly divergent sister lineages within E. sauromates, with both forming a lineage sister to E. quatuorlineata. The genetic distance between them (5.80-8.24% in mtDNA) is similar to the distances among several other species of the genus Elaphe. Both lineages are also moderately morphologically differentiated and, while none of the characters are exclusively diagnostic, their combination can be used for confident lineage identification. Here, following the criteria of genetic and evolutionary species concepts, we describe the lineage from eastern Anatolia and parts of the Lesser and Great Caucasus as a new species E. urartica sp. nov. Discussion Elaphe urartica sp. nov. represents a cryptic species whose ancestors presumably diverged from their common ancestor with E. sauromates around the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. The intraspecific genetic structure indicates that the recent diversity of both species has been predominantly shaped by Pleistocene climatic oscillations, with glacial refugia mainly located in the Balkans, Crimea, and/or Anatolia in E. sauromates and Anatolia and/or the Caucasus in E. urartica sp. nov.
-
Complete mitochondrial genome of the four-lined snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata (Bonnaterre, 1790)
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Katarína Šoltys, Evgeniy SimonovAbstract:AbstractHere, we present complete mitochondrial genome of the four-lined snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata (Bonnaterre, 1790) and its comparison with closely related E. sauromates (Pallas, 1814). The complete sequence of the mitogenome is 17,183 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA and 22 tRNA genes, and two control regions. It possesses the same gene order as other mitogenomes of Elaphe spp. and the base composition is as follows: 35.0% (A), 26.7% (C), 25.6% (T), and 12.7% (G), with an A + T bias (60.6%). The presented mitogenome will provide new data for phylogenetic analysis within phylogenetically close western Palearctic species of the genus Elaphe.
-
Complete mitochondrial genome of the Blotched snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814)
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Katarína Šoltys, Oleg V. Kukushkin, Evgeniy SimonovAbstract:AbstractHere, we present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Blotched snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814). Mitogenome complete sequence is 17,187 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding ...
David Jandzik - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The biogeography of Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814), with a description of a new rat snake species.
PeerJ, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Oleg V. Kukushkin, Aziz Avci, Sabina Bunyatova, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Çetin Ilgaz, Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Polyakova, Konstantin Shiryaev, Boris Tuniyev, David JandzikAbstract:Background The rat snake genus Elaphe once comprised several dozens of species distributed in temperate through tropical zones of the New and Old World. Based on molecular-genetic analyses in early 2000s, the genus was split into several separate genera, leaving only 15 Palearctic and Oriental species as its members. One of the three species also occurring in Europe is Elaphe sauromates, a robust snake from the Balkans, Anatolia, Caucasus, Ponto-Caspian steppes, and Levant that has been suspected to be composed of two or more genetically diverse populations. Here, we studied the genetic structure and morphological variation of E. sauromates, aiming to better understand its inter-population relationships and biogeography, and subsequently revise its taxonomy. Methods We reconstructed the phylogeography and analyzed the genetic structure of E. sauromates populations originating from most of its geographic range using both mitochondrial (COI, ND4) and nuclear (C-MOS, MC1R, PRLR, RAG1) DNA gene fragments. We employed Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods for the phylogenetic tree reconstructions, supplemented with species delimitation methods, analysis of haplotype networks, and calculation of uncorrected p-distances. Morphological variation in 15 metric and 18 meristic characters was studied using parametric univariate tests as well as multivariate general linearized models. In total, we analyzed sequences originating from 63 specimens and morphological data from 95 specimens of E. sauromates sensu lato. Results The molecular phylogeny identified two clearly divergent sister lineages within E. sauromates, with both forming a lineage sister to E. quatuorlineata. The genetic distance between them (5.80-8.24% in mtDNA) is similar to the distances among several other species of the genus Elaphe. Both lineages are also moderately morphologically differentiated and, while none of the characters are exclusively diagnostic, their combination can be used for confident lineage identification. Here, following the criteria of genetic and evolutionary species concepts, we describe the lineage from eastern Anatolia and parts of the Lesser and Great Caucasus as a new species E. urartica sp. nov. Discussion Elaphe urartica sp. nov. represents a cryptic species whose ancestors presumably diverged from their common ancestor with E. sauromates around the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. The intraspecific genetic structure indicates that the recent diversity of both species has been predominantly shaped by Pleistocene climatic oscillations, with glacial refugia mainly located in the Balkans, Crimea, and/or Anatolia in E. sauromates and Anatolia and/or the Caucasus in E. urartica sp. nov.
Joa Cano - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
isolation and characterization of a new fungal species chrysosporium ophiodiicola from a mycotic granuloma of a black rat snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2009Co-Authors: Sreekumari Rajeev, Deanna A Sutto, Ia L Wickes, Debra L Mille, Dipak K Giri, M Van Mete, Elizabeth H Thompso, Michael G Rinaldi, Anna Maria Romanelli, Joa CanoAbstract:Isolation and characterization of the new species Chrysosporium ophiodiicola from a mycotic granuloma of a black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) are reported. Analysis of the sequences of different fragments of the ribosomal genes demonstrated that this species belongs to the Onygenales and that this species is genetically different from other morphologically similar species of Chrysosporium. This new species is unique in having both narrow and cylindrical-to-slightly clavate conidia and a strong, pungent odor.
Oleg V. Kukushkin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The biogeography of Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814), with a description of a new rat snake species.
PeerJ, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Oleg V. Kukushkin, Aziz Avci, Sabina Bunyatova, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Çetin Ilgaz, Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Polyakova, Konstantin Shiryaev, Boris Tuniyev, David JandzikAbstract:Background The rat snake genus Elaphe once comprised several dozens of species distributed in temperate through tropical zones of the New and Old World. Based on molecular-genetic analyses in early 2000s, the genus was split into several separate genera, leaving only 15 Palearctic and Oriental species as its members. One of the three species also occurring in Europe is Elaphe sauromates, a robust snake from the Balkans, Anatolia, Caucasus, Ponto-Caspian steppes, and Levant that has been suspected to be composed of two or more genetically diverse populations. Here, we studied the genetic structure and morphological variation of E. sauromates, aiming to better understand its inter-population relationships and biogeography, and subsequently revise its taxonomy. Methods We reconstructed the phylogeography and analyzed the genetic structure of E. sauromates populations originating from most of its geographic range using both mitochondrial (COI, ND4) and nuclear (C-MOS, MC1R, PRLR, RAG1) DNA gene fragments. We employed Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods for the phylogenetic tree reconstructions, supplemented with species delimitation methods, analysis of haplotype networks, and calculation of uncorrected p-distances. Morphological variation in 15 metric and 18 meristic characters was studied using parametric univariate tests as well as multivariate general linearized models. In total, we analyzed sequences originating from 63 specimens and morphological data from 95 specimens of E. sauromates sensu lato. Results The molecular phylogeny identified two clearly divergent sister lineages within E. sauromates, with both forming a lineage sister to E. quatuorlineata. The genetic distance between them (5.80-8.24% in mtDNA) is similar to the distances among several other species of the genus Elaphe. Both lineages are also moderately morphologically differentiated and, while none of the characters are exclusively diagnostic, their combination can be used for confident lineage identification. Here, following the criteria of genetic and evolutionary species concepts, we describe the lineage from eastern Anatolia and parts of the Lesser and Great Caucasus as a new species E. urartica sp. nov. Discussion Elaphe urartica sp. nov. represents a cryptic species whose ancestors presumably diverged from their common ancestor with E. sauromates around the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. The intraspecific genetic structure indicates that the recent diversity of both species has been predominantly shaped by Pleistocene climatic oscillations, with glacial refugia mainly located in the Balkans, Crimea, and/or Anatolia in E. sauromates and Anatolia and/or the Caucasus in E. urartica sp. nov.
-
Complete mitochondrial genome of the Blotched snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814)
Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2019Co-Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Katarína Šoltys, Oleg V. Kukushkin, Evgeniy SimonovAbstract:AbstractHere, we present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Blotched snake, Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814). Mitogenome complete sequence is 17,187 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding ...
E R Jacobson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Isolation and experimental transmission of a reovirus pathogenic in ratsnakes (Elaphe species).
Virus research, 1999Co-Authors: E W Lamirande, D K Nichols, J W Owens, J M Gaskin, E R JacobsonAbstract:A reovirus was isolated from juvenile Moellendorff's ratsnakes (Elaphe moellendorffi) and beauty snakes (Elaphe taenuris) that died soon after importation into the USA. Viper heart (VH2) cells inoculated with tissue homogenates showed cytopathic effects consisting of large syncytia formation followed by cell detachment from the monolayer. Tissue culture supernatants failed to hemagglutinate guinea pig and chicken erythrocytes at room temperature. Electron microscopy of purified virions revealed spherical to icosahedral particles measuring 70-85 nm in diameter with a double capsid layer. Preparations of the viral genome contained ten segments of dsRNA when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A juvenile black ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) was experimentally inoculated with the isolate and was found dead 26 days post inoculation. Necropsy revealed diffuse subacute interstitial pneumonia with respiratory epithelial cell hyperplasia and syncytia. Reovirus isolated from this snake was used to inoculate another juvenile black ratsnake which was euthanized 40 days post inoculation. Pneumonia and multifocal subacute proliferative tracheitis were found on necropsy. Reovirus was isolated from the lung of this snake and was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. This is the first documentation of a pathogenic reptile reovirus and the first report of experimental transmission of a reovirus in snakes.
