Data from: Multilocus phylogeny reveals unexpected diversification patterns in Asian Wolf Snakes (genus Lycodon)

The diverse group of Asian Wolf Snakes of the genus Lycodon represents one
of many poorly understood radiations of advanced snakes in the superfamily
Colubroidea. Outside of three species having previously been represented
in higher-level phylogenetic analyses, nothing is known of the
relationships among species in this unique, moderately diverse, group. The
genus occurs widely from central to southeast Asia, with a variety of
range sizes from widespread forms to those that are endmic to small
islands. One-third of the diversity is found in the Philippine
archipelago. Both morphological similarity and highly variable diagnostic
characters have contributed to confusion over species-level diversity.
Additionally, the placement of the genus among genera in the subfamily
Colubrinae remains uncertain, although previous studies have supported a
close relationship with the genus Dinodon. In this study we provide the
first estimate of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Lycodon
using a multi-locus dataset. We provide statistical tests of monophyly
based on biogeographic, morphological, and taxonomic hypotheses. With few
exceptions, we are able to reject many of these hypotheses, indicating a
need for taxonomic revisions. Mapping of color patterns on our preferred
phylogenetic tree suggests that banded and blotched morphotypes have
evolved on multiple occasions in the history of the genus, whereas the
solid-color (and possibly speckled) morphotype evolved only once. Our
results reveal that the colubrid genus Dinodon is nested within Lycodon—a
clear finding that necessitates the placing of the former genus in
synonymy with the latter.