The missing river

Rivas, Jesús A.

doi:10.3389/feart.2023.1203667

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Our fourth, and final, approach dates the splits within Boidae through the aid of fossil evidence only. Despite the limitations of dating from paleontological information alone, especially given the poor fossil record from Central-South America [5,[85][86][87], this approach serves to test the impact of deep-time paleogeographic patterns on the resulting Boidae timeline. Therefore, it provides an alternative perspective to the other approaches used in this study.…”

Section: Divergence Time Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was a process of general flooding of the western part of the continent at geological speed. It likely started with the river backing up and permanently flooding its flood plains [5,87]. The proportion of flooded forest, Varzea and Igapo, increased over time, gaining surface over Terra Firme forest, with Varzea forest expanding from west to east into the continent [115].…”

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of the slow nature of this process, it would have allowed for natural selection to develop aquatic lineages as the aquatic habitat became more abundant and aquatic niches became available [87].…”

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The split between the large-and the small-bodied clades occurred an estimated 26 (95% HPD: 40.97-14.67)-20 (95% HPD: 29.61-12.24) Mya (Oligocene), a time when the western Amazon was covered by a mega wetland [124,125]. At this point, the Andes had completely blocked the passage of the Proto-Orinoco/Amazon and the river was diverted to the north, forming the Pebas system [5,87,114,115,126]. While the permanent waters of the Pebas system may have allowed the evolution of large-bodied aquatic specialists, the specific topology of the adjacent area might be the reason for the evolutionary preservation of smaller-bodied relatives.…”

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disentangling the Anacondas: Revealing a New Green Species and Rethinking Yellows

Rivas,

De La Quintana,

Mancuso

et al. 2024

Diversity

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Anacondas, genus Eunectes, are a group of aquatic snakes with a wide distribution in South America. The taxonomic status of several species has been uncertain and/or controversial. Using genetic data from four recognized anaconda species across nine countries, this study investigates the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eunectes. A key finding was the identification of two distinct clades within Eunectes murinus, revealing two species as cryptic yet genetically deeply divergent. This has led to the recognition of the Northern Green Anaconda as a separate species (Eunectes akayima sp. nov), distinct from its southern counterpart (E. murinus), the Southern Green Anaconda. Additionally, our data challenge the current understanding of Yellow Anaconda species by proposing the unification of Eunectes deschauenseei and Eunectes beniensis into a single species with Eunectes notaeus. This reclassification is based on comprehensive genetic and phylogeographic analyses, suggesting closer relationships than previously recognized and the realization that our understanding of their geographic ranges is insufficient to justify its use as a separation criterion. We also present a phylogeographic hypothesis that traces the Miocene diversification of anacondas in western South America. Beyond its academic significance, this study has vital implications for the conservation of these iconic reptile species, highlighting our lack of knowledge about the diversity of the South American fauna and the need for revised strategies to conserve the newly identified and reclassified species.

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Section: Divergence Time Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Paleogeographic Events Triggered the Origin Of Large-bodied ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Disentangling the Anacondas: Revealing a New Green Species and Rethinking Yellows

Rivas,

De La Quintana,

Mancuso

et al. 2024

Diversity

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Description of the Northern Green Anaconda (Eunectes akayima sp. nov. Serpentes; Boidae): What Is in a Name?

Rivas,

Terra,

Roosen

et al. 2024

Diversity

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While elucidating the evolutionary trajectory of green anacondas, we previously documented the existence of two distinct species, Eunectes akayima sp. nov. and Eunectes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758), that separated approximately 10 million years ago. Our research integrates a novel molecular clock approach, focuses on tectonic plate movements with fossil records as minimal chronological markers, and offers a refined understanding of speciation events in relation to major biogeographical occurrences in South America. Mitochondrial DNA analysis demonstrates a significant genetic divergence between the species, which is supported by a notable difference in sexual size dimorphism (SSD) intensity between the two species, along with other morphological differences. This paper also rectifies earlier oversights in the description of the new species and clarifies taxonomic ambiguities in compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (henceforth ICZN). In addition, we designate a neotype for E. murinus to stabilize the group. In an effort to honor Indigenous nations, E. akayima sp. nov. derives its name from the Carib language, advocating for the inclusion of traditional names in scientific discourse. Our paper not only contributes to the taxonomic stability of anacondas but also advocates for the usage of Indigenous names in zoological nomenclature by adopting a more inclusive and flexible approach to the ICZN and eliminating unintended exclusionary practices that we have inherited in science as in other disciplines.

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The missing river

Cited by 2 publications

References 40 publications

Disentangling the Anacondas: Revealing a New Green Species and Rethinking Yellows

Disentangling the Anacondas: Revealing a New Green Species and Rethinking Yellows

Description of the Northern Green Anaconda (Eunectes akayima sp. nov. Serpentes; Boidae): What Is in a Name?

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