Molecular data reveals a new genus of blindsnakes within Asiatyphlopinae from India

Abstract

The genus Indotyphlops has a widespread distribution in the Indian landmass and Southeast Asia, with 20 reported species. The current classification within the genus is based on morphology. In this study, we sampled all the reported Indotyphlops species from subcontinental India, to resolve relationships within this genus and to understand biogeographic patterns that resulted in the widespread distribution. We generated sequences for five nuclear markers which were used in the global typhlopoid phylogeny and built phylogenetic trees of the superfamily Typhlopoidea. We also carried out divergence time analysis and biogeographic analysis to understand the time and modes of dispersal and diversification of these species. The results show Indotyphlops sensu lato to be polyphyletic, with the clade consisting of I. porrectus and I. exiguus sister to a clade consisting of the southeast Asian typhlopid genera Ramphotyphlops, Anilios, Malayotyphlops, Acutotyphlops, Sundatyphlops, and Indotyphlops sensu stricto. The other clade consists of I. pammeces and I. braminus from the Indian subcontinent and I. albiceps from Southeast Asia. Biogeographical analysis suggests two dispersals from Asia to the Indian landmass—an earlier dispersal from Eurasia into India led to the lineage consisting of I. porrectus and I. exiguus, followed by a later dispersal that evolved into I. pammeces and I. braminus. These results necessitate a taxonomic revision. We propose the genus Pseudoindotyphlops gen. nov. for the clade currently consisting of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of I. porrectus and I. exiguus, and all descendants thereof.