Systematic revision of the early Miocene fossil Pseudoepicrates (Serpentes: Boidae): implications for the evolution and historical biogeography of the West Indian boid snakes (Chilabothrus)

Author(s)

Onary, Silvio ^[1] ; Hsiou, Annie S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Lab Paleontol Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY; v. 184, n. 2, p. 453-470, OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The taxonomy of the early Miocene genus Pseudoepicrates is controversial. Originally interpreted as the viperid Neurodromicus, subsequent work deemed the material to represent an extinct boid, Pseudoepicrates stanolseni. However, more recent work considered Pseudoepicrates to be a synonym of the extant Boa constrictor. Due to these conflicting interpretations, we provide a revision of the systematic affinities of P. stanolseni. This redescription was based on the first-hand analysis of all material of Pseudoepicrates, together with the comparison of extant boids. Our findings suggest that, in addition to being an invalid taxon, Pseudoepicrates' cannot be referred to B. constrictor. Instead, the extant Chilabothrus is here regarded as the most cogent generic assignment, with Chilabothrus stanolseni comb. nov. proposed for the extinct species. The referral of this material to Clzilabothrus suggests that the genus originated as early as -18.5 Mya. The revised history of this record has interesting implications for our understanding of the early divergence of the group. The presence of Chilabothrus in the early Miocene of Florida supports biogeographical hypotheses, which suggest that the genus reached the West Indian island complex around 22 Mya, dispersing into the North American territory by at least 18.5 Mya. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/00845-1 - Origins and macroevolution of Booidea (Squamata, Serpentes) using phylogenetic and ancestral area reconstruction analysis
• Grantee: Silvio Yuji Onary Alves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/14080-0 - Cretaceous and Tertiary (Paleogene/Neogene) Squamates (Reptilia, Lepidosauria) from the Bauru, Aiuruoca and Acre basins: systematics, evolution and palaeoenvironments
• Grantee: Annie Schmaltz Hsiou
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants