TY  - JOUR
A1  - Wuster, Wolfgang
A1  - Chirio, Laurent
A1  - Trape, Jean-Francois
A1  - Ineich, Ivan
A1  - Jackson, Kate
A1  - Greenbaum, Eli
A1  - Barron, Cesar
A1  - Kusamba, Chifundera
A1  - Nagy, Zoltan T.
A1  - Storey, Richard
A1  - Hall, Cara
A1  - Wuster, Catharine E.
A1  - Barlow, Axel
A1  - Broadley, Donald G.
T1  - Integration of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences and morphology reveals unexpected diversity in the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) species complex in Central and West Africa (Serpentes: Elapidae)
JF  - Zootaxa : an international journal of zootaxonomy ; a rapid international journal for animal taxonomists
N2  - Cobras are among the most widely known venomous snakes, and yet their taxonomy remains incompletely understood, particularly in Africa. Here, we use a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences and morphological data to diagnose species limits within the African forest cobra, Naja (Boulengerina) melanoleuca. Mitochondrial DNA sequences reveal deep divergences within this taxon. Congruent patterns of variation in mtDNA, nuclear genes and morphology support the recognition of five separate species, confirming the species status of N. subfulva and N. peroescobari, and revealing two previously unnamed West African species, which are described as new: Naja (Boulengerina) guineensis sp. nov. Broadley, Trape, Chirio, Ineich & Wuster, from the Upper Guinea forest of West Africa, and Naja (Boulengerina) savannula sp. nov. Broadley, Trape, Chirio & Wuster, a banded form from the savanna-forest mosaic of the Guinea and Sudanian savannas of West Africa. The discovery of cryptic diversity in this iconic group highlights our limited understanding of tropical African biodiversity, hindering our ability to conserve it effectively.
KW  - Integrative taxonomy
KW  - Africa
KW  - Naja melanoleuca
KW  - Naja guineensis sp nov.
KW  - Naja savannula sp nov.
KW  - Elapidae
KW  - systematics
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4455.1.3
SN  - 1175-5326
SN  - 1175-5334
VL  - 4455
IS  - 1
SP  - 68
EP  - 98
PB  - Magnolia Press
CY  - Auckland
ER  -