Unraveling the evolution of a neglected snake group (Dipsadidae: Elapomorphini): contrasting multiple evidences through transcriptomics, museomics, phylogenomics, and morphology.

• Grant number: 24/16626-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Gobbi Grazziotin
• Grantee: Omar Machado Entiauspe Neto
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12660-4 - Recovering, modernizing and expanding the collection of herpetology at Butantan Institute through integrative studies on systematics and evolution of neotropical snakes, AP.BTA.JP

Abstract

The Elapomorphini tribe encompasses five snake genera, Apostolepis, Coronelaps, Elapomorphus, Parapostolepis and Phalotris, with approximately 50 species distributed to forested and open biomes, from southern Colombia and the Guyana shield to western Argentina and southern Brazil. There are significant gaps regarding the delimitation of species, phylogenetic relationships, evolution of phenotypic characters and biogeography for the tribe, as seen in the unstable taxonomic history of the group. This project aims to realize an integrative review for Elapomorphini, generating new morphological and molecular data, testing species boundaries through integrative taxonomy, sequencing type specimens with historical DNA techniques, inferring phylogenetic relationships and estimating divergence times for the species, as well as estimate the evolution of complex phenotypical characters (e.g., venom delivery system, osteology, external morphology), characterization of venom toxins, and biogeographical processes associated with its diversification, which will assist in better understanding the taxonomic status and evolutionary history of Elapomorphini species. (AU)