From Asia to the Americas: a new cross-continental perspective on viper biogeography and habitat dynamics

Aim: We investigate the biogeographical history of the family Viperidae
focusing on how habitat use influenced the geographical range evolution of
the group. We tested key hypotheses on origins and biogeographical
processes of major clades within Viperidae, including the colonisation of
the New World. Location: Worldwide. Taxon: Vipers (Serpentes: Viperidae).
Methods: We used four recently published phylogenies of Viperidae and
applied Maximum Likelihood (ML) models with trait-specific parameters
(habitats) in BioGeoBEARS to estimate ancestral geographical ranges and
habitat use. Results: Our results support an Asian origin for the
Viperidae family, with a likely trans-Pacific dispersal to Central America
instead of the Beringian land bridge route. The subfamily Viperinae must
have originated in Africa, while the genus Lachesis likely emerged in
South + Central America. Habitat reconstructions showed varied impacts of
forested and open habitats on diversification and biogeographical
processes when comparing the first three phylogenies with the last one.
Main conclusions: We highlight the significant role of habitat use in
viper diversification and range evolution. Differently from what
previously suggested, our findings indicate a trans-Pacific dispersal
route for New World vipers.