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Sawada K, Inoue T, Mori N, Mori A, Kamijo T. DO Toxic Invasive Prey Become a Toxin Source for Native Consumers? J Chem Ecol 2023:10.1007/s10886-023-01460-z. [PMID: 37882872 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01460-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Toxic organisms can become food that potentially harms consumers. When these organisms become invasive species, the harm often turns to a serious threat that disrupts native ecosystems. On the other hand, there are consumers that can exploit toxic organisms for food and sequester intact toxins from them for the consumers' own chemical defense. Therefore, it can be expected that toxic invasive prey can become a toxin source for native consumers. Here, we focused on the relationship between toads, which are one of the major toxic invasive organisms and possess bufadienolides (BDs), and Rhabdophis snakes, which sequester BDs from toads. On Sado Island, Japan, R. tigrinus is native, but no toads had inhabited this island until Bufo japonicus formosus was introduced as a domestic invasive species in 1963 and 1964. At present, invasive toads are distributed only in the southwestern part of the island. We collected a total of 25 and 24 R. tigrinus from areas allopatric and sympatric with toads, respectively. Then, we investigated the possession of BDs and the BD profile of these snakes. We found that only R. tigrinus sympatric with toads possessed BDs, whereas all snakes allopatric with toads lacked BDs. Based on the characteristics of the BD profile, the toxin source was identified as B. j. formosus. Our findings show that a new case of impact caused by toxic invasive species, i.e., "toxin supply to native consumers from invasive prey", could occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoto Sawada
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Ten-nodai, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kamijo
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Ten-nodai, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
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2
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Kane D, Tapley B, LA TVAN, Nguyen LT. A new species of the genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Colubridae) from the Hoang Lien range, northwest Vietnam. Zootaxa 2023; 5343:101-125. [PMID: 38221383 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
We describe a new species of the Natricinae genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 from the Hoang Lien range, northwest Vietnam. The new species is distinct from all congeneric species on the grounds of morphometric and molecular data. The new species is most similar to Rhabdophis leonardi in terms of morphology but can be distinguished from it based on differences in maxillary tooth count, scalation, and genetic data. A sequence on GenBank from a Rhabdophis specimen collected in Honghe, Yunnan, China was identical to the species we describe, and it is likely that the new species is not restricted to Vietnam. As a priority, future work should focus on determining the distribution of this species, as well as understanding population and life history traits such as reproductive rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kane
- ZSL London Zoo; Zoological Society of London; Regents Park; London; United Kingdom; NW1 4RY.
| | - Benjamin Tapley
- ZSL London Zoo; Zoological Society of London; Regents Park; London; United Kingdom; NW1 4RY.
| | - Toi VAN LA
- Hoang Lien National Park; Sapa; Lao Cai Province; Vietnam.
| | - Luan Thanh Nguyen
- EDGE of Existence Programme; Zoological Society of London; Regents Park; London; NW1 4RY; United Kingdom; Asian Turtle ProgramIndo-Myanmar Conservation; CT1 Bac Ha C14 Building; To Huu Road; Ha Noi; Vietnam.
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3
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Yang S, Savitzky AH, Gower DJ, Deepak V, Mori A, Khot R, Shi J, Ding L, Hou M, Xu H, Wang Q, Zhu G. Identity of the holotype and type locality of Rhabdophis leonardi (Wall, 1923) (Colubridae: Natricinae), with notes on the morphology and natural history of the species in southwestern China. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10032. [PMID: 37153019 PMCID: PMC10154373 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The original description of Natrix leonardi (currently Rhabdophis leonardi) by Frank Wall in 1923, based on a specimen from the "Upper Burma Hills," lacked important morphological details that have complicated the assignment of recently collected material. Furthermore, although the holotype was never lost, its location has been misreported in one important taxonomic reference, leading to further confusion. We report the correct repository of the holotype (Natural History Museum, London), together with its current catalog number. We also describe key features of that specimen that were omitted from the original description, and provide new details on the morphology of the species, including sexual dichromatism unusual for the genus, based upon specimens from southern Sichuan, China. Rhabdophis leonardi is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: 15 or 17 DSR at midbody and 6 supralabials; distinct annulus around the neck, broad and red in males, and narrow and orange with a black border in females; dorsal ground color light green or olive; some lateral and dorsal scales possessing black edges, the frequency of black edges gradually increasing from anterior to posterior, forming irregular and ill-defined transverse black bands; eye with prominent green iris; black ventral spots with a red edge, most numerous at midbody but extending halfway down the length of the tail. In southwestern China, this species is frequently found at 1730-2230 m elevation. It has been documented to prey upon anuran amphibians, including toads. A recently published phylogenetic analysis showed this species to be deeply nested with the genus Rhabdophis, as a member of the R. nuchalis Group. That analysis also revealed the existence of two closely related but geographically distinct subclades in the molecular analysis, one of which may represent an unnamed taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi‐Jun Yang
- College of Life ScienceSichuan Agricultural UniversityYa'anChina
| | | | | | - V. Deepak
- Senckenberg Natural History CollectionsDresdenGermany
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of ScienceKyoto UniversitySakyoKyotoJapan
| | - Rahul Khot
- Bombay Natural History SocietyFort, MumbaiIndia
| | - Jing‐Song Shi
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Vertebrate Paleontology and PaleoanthropologyChinese Academy of ScienceBeijingChina
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Mian Hou
- Sichuan Normal UniversityChengduChina
| | - Hai‐Yuan Xu
- College of Life ScienceSichuan Agricultural UniversityYa'anChina
| | - Qin Wang
- College of Life ScienceSichuan Agricultural UniversityYa'anChina
| | - Guang‐Xiang Zhu
- College of Life ScienceSichuan Agricultural UniversityYa'anChina
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4
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Inoue T, Mori A, Yoshinaga N, Mori N. Intrinsic Factors Associated with Dietary Toxin Quantity and Concentration in the Nuchal Glands of a Natricine Snake Rhabdophis Tigrinus. J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:133-141. [PMID: 36881327 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01415-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The snake Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters cardiotonic steroids, bufadienolides (BDs), from ingested toads and stores them in the nuchal glands as defensive toxins. It has previously been shown that there are individual differences in the total quantity of BDs stored in the nuchal glands of adult R. tigrinus and that BD quantities and profiles of R. tigrinus exhibit geographic variation. However, no previous study has examined the total quantity of BDs as a percentage of body mass (relative BD quantity) and the concentration of BDs in the nuchal gland fluid (BD gland concentration). In addition, intrinsic factors that are associated with relative BD quantity and BD concentration have not been examined within a single population. We collected 158 adult snakes from an area of central Japan from May to October and analyzed their BD quantities by UV analysis. We assessed individual differences in BD quantity, relative BD quantity and BD gland concentration. We found that 1) in approximately 60% of the 158 individuals, the BD gland concentration was greater than 50%; 2) body length and body condition are positively correlated with relative BD quantity and BD gland concentration; 3) even in a single population, individual differences of BD quantity are large, and are greater in females than in males; and 4) relative BD quantity and BD gland concentration of females during the gestation season are lower than those during the non-gestation season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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5
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Deepak V, Gower DJ, Cooper N. Diet and habit explain head-shape convergences in natricine snakes. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:399-411. [PMID: 36511814 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The concept of ecomorphs, whereby species with similar ecologies have similar phenotypes regardless of their phylogenetic relatedness, is often central to discussions regarding the relationship between ecology and phenotype. However, some aspects of the concept have been questioned, and sometimes species have been grouped as ecomorphs based on phenotypic similarity without demonstrating ecological similarity. Within snakes, similar head shapes have convergently evolved in species living in comparable environments and/or with similar diets. Therefore, ecomorphs could exist in some snake lineages, but this assertion has rarely been tested for a wide-ranging group within a single framework. Natricine snakes (Natricinae) are ecomorphologically diverse and currently distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe and north-central America. They are primarily semiaquatic or ground-dwelling terrestrial snakes, but some are aquatic, burrowing or aquatic and burrowing in habit and may be generalist or specialist in diet. Thus, natricines present an interesting system to test whether snakes from different major habit categories represent ecomorphs. We quantify morphological similarity and disparity in head shape among 191 of the ca. 250 currently recognized natricine species and apply phylogenetic comparative methods to test for convergence. Natricine head shape is largely correlated with habit, but in some burrowers is better explained by dietary specialism. Convergence in head shape is especially strong for aquatic burrowing, semiaquatic and terrestrial ecomorphs and less strong for aquatic and burrowing ecomorphs. The ecomorph concept is useful for understanding natricine diversity and evolution, though would benefit from further refinement, especially for aquatic and burrowing taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Deepak
- Science Group, Natural History Museum London, London, UK.,Senckenberg Dresden, Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Dresden, Germany
| | - David J Gower
- Science Group, Natural History Museum London, London, UK
| | - Natalie Cooper
- Science Group, Natural History Museum London, London, UK
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6
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Thasun Amarasinghe A, Bandara SK, Weerakkody S, Campbell PD, Marques DA, Danushka AD, de Silva A, Vogel G. Systematics of the Sri Lankan Water Snakes of the Genus Fowlea Theobald 1868 (Reptilia: Natricidae). HERPETOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-22-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI, Depok, 16424, Indonesia
| | - Sanjaya K. Bandara
- Association of Asian Herpetology (Asosiasi Herpetologi Asia), Jl. BSD Bintaro No. 88, Pondok Aren 15228, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
| | - Sanjaya Weerakkody
- Laboratory for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
| | - Patrick D. Campbell
- Department of Life Sciences, Darwin Centre, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - David A. Marques
- Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Augustinergasse 2, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - A. Dineth Danushka
- Association of Asian Herpetology (Asosiasi Herpetologi Asia), Jl. BSD Bintaro No. 88, Pondok Aren 15228, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
| | - Anslem de Silva
- Amphibia and Reptile Research Organization of Sri Lanka, 15/1, Dolosbage Road, Gampola, Sri Lanka
| | - Gernot Vogel
- Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology, Im Sand 3, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Chowdhury A, Lewin MR, Carter RW, Casewell NR, Fry BG. Keel venom: Rhabdophis subminiatus (red-necked keelback) venom pathophysiologically affects diverse blood clotting pathways. Toxicon 2022; 218:19-24. [PMID: 36057394 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Venoms are evolutionary novelties that have real-world implications due to their impact upon human health. However, relative to the abundant studies of elapid and viperid snake venoms, fewer investigations have been undertaken on those of rear-fanged snakes as they are more problematic for obtaining venom. While most rear-fanged venomous snakes are not considered to be of great medical importance, several species are capable of producing fatalities. Most notable among these are snakes from the genus Rhabdophis, the Asian "keelback" snakes. Prior work have described potent procoagulant toxicity suggesting Factor X and prothrombin activation, but did not investigate the ability to activate other clotting factors. Here we show that in addition to activating both Factor X and prothrombin (with prothrombin twice that of FX), the venom of Rhabdophis subminiatus is able to more potently activate Factor VII (ten times that of prothrombin), while also activating FXII and FIX equipotently to prothrombin, and with FXI also activated but at a much lower level. The ability to activate FVII represents a third convergent evolution of this trait. The Australian elapid clade of [Oxyuranus (taipans) + Pseudonaja (brown snakes)] was the first identified to have evolved this trait. and only recently was it shown to be independently present in another lineage (the Central American viperid species Porthidium volcanicum). In addition, the abilities to activate FXI and FXII are also convergent between R. subminiatus and P. volcanicum, but with R. subminiatus being much more potent. By testing across amphibian, avian, and mammalian plasmas we demonstrate that the venom is potently procoagulant across diverse plasma types. However, consistent with dietary preference, R. subminiatus venom was most potent upon amphibian plasma. While a Rhabdophis antivenom is produced in Japan to treat R. tigrinus envenomings, it is scarce even within Japan and is not exported. As this genus is very wide-ranging in Asia, alternate treatment options are in need of development. Hence we tested the ability of candidate, broad-spectrum enzyme inhibitors to neutralize R. subminiatus venom: marimastat was more effective than prinomastat but both marimastat and prinomastat were significantly more effective than DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid). The findings of this study shed light on the evolution of these fascinating rear-fanged snakes as well as explored their systemic effects upon blood coagulation and point to potential treatment options for the rare, but potentially lethal encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinandan Chowdhury
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia; Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Matthew R Lewin
- Ophirex Inc., Corte Madera, CA, 94925, USA; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | | | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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8
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Fukuda M, Ujiie R, Inoue T, Chen Q, Cao C, Ding L, Mori N, Mori A. Do predators prefer toxic animals? A case of chemical discrimination by an Asian snake that sequesters firefly toxins. Curr Zool 2021; 68:627-634. [PMID: 36743225 PMCID: PMC9892790 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several Asian natricine snakes of the genus Rhabdophis feed on toads and sequester steroidal cardiac toxins known as bufadienolides (BDs) from them. A recent study revealed that species of the Rhabdophis nuchalis Group ingest lampyrine fireflies to sequester BDs. Although several species of fireflies are distributed in the habitat of the R. nuchalis Group, only lampyrine fireflies, which have BDs, are included in the diet of these snakes. Thus, we hypothesized that the R. nuchalis Group chemically distinguishes fireflies that have BDs from those that do not have BDs. We also predicted that the R. nuchalis Group detects BDs as the chemical cue of toxin source. To test these predictions, we conducted 3 behavioral experiments using Rhabdophis chiwen, which belongs to the R. nuchalis Group. In the first experiment, R. chiwen showed a moderate tongue flicking response to cinobufagin, a compound of BDs. On the other hand, the snake showed a higher response to the chemical stimuli of lampyrine fireflies (BD fireflies) than those of lucioline fireflies (non-BD fireflies). In the second experiment, in which we provided live BD and non-BD fireflies, the snake voluntarily consumed only the former. In the third, a Y-maze experiment, the snake tended to select the chemical trail of BD fireflies more frequently than that of non-BD fireflies. These results demonstrated that R. chiwen discriminates BD fireflies from non-BD fireflies, but the prediction that BDs are involved in this discrimination was not fully supported. To identify the proximate mechanisms of the recognition of novel toxic prey in the R. nuchalis Group, further investigation is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Fukuda
- Address correspondence to Masaya Fukuda and Qin Chen. E-mail: and E-mail:
| | - Rinako Ujiie
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takato Inoue
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Qin Chen
- Address correspondence to Masaya Fukuda and Qin Chen. E-mail: and E-mail:
| | - Chengquan Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, Sichuan 614000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Naoki Mori
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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Deepak V, Cooper N, Poyarkov NA, Kraus F, Burin G, Das A, Narayanan S, Streicher JW, Smith SJ, Gower DJ. Multilocus phylogeny, natural history traits and classification of natricine snakes (Serpentes: Natricinae). Zool J Linn Soc 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Natricine snakes are geographically widespread, species rich (with ~250 extant species) and both morphologically and ecologically diverse. We present a multilocus DNA sequence phylogeny for 249 natricine specimens representing 189 named species, including 69 specimens and 21 species not previously sampled. Our inferred Bayesian and maximum likelihood trees form the basis for evaluations of genus-level classification, historical biogeography, lineage diversification, and dietary, habit and reproductive-mode diversity and evolution, although several, mostly deeper, relationships remain poorly resolved. The optimal trees support natricine origins in Asia, with dispersals to Australo-Melanesia, sub-Saharan Africa (including Seychelles Archipelago, excluding Aldabra), Europe and North Africa and into North and Central America. Viviparity appears to have evolved independently three times in Natricinae but was not significantly associated with an aquatic habit. We found limited associations between habit and diet categories. We propose generic reallocations for four natricine species and highlight other points of uncertainty in natricine classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Deepak
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
- Senckenberg Dresden, Königsbrücker Landstraße, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie Cooper
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Nikolay A Poyarkov
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Joint Russian–Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Fred Kraus
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gustavo Burin
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Abhijit Das
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, India
| | - Surya Narayanan
- Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Srirampura, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Sarah-Jane Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
- Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, UK
| | - David J Gower
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
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10
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Zhu G, Yang S, Savitzky AH, Cheng Y, Mori A, Ding L, Rao D, Wang Q. Cryptic diversity and phylogeography of the Rhabdophis nuchalis group (Squamata: Colubridae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 166:107325. [PMID: 34655748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies, have found that the rapid uplift of the Tibetan plateau accelerated the diversification of species. However, there are few relevant biogeographic data for the Colubridae in this region. We conducted a comprehensive study of the Rhabdophis nuchalis Group, which presently contains four nominal species, R. nuchalis, R. pentasupralabialis, R. leonardi, and R. chiwen. Building upon previous studies with specimens we have recently examined, greater interspecific and intraspecific diversity has been revealed. Here we address three questions: (1) Do the intraspecific differences represent only geographic variation within lineages, or are there cryptic species? (2) What are the interspecific relationships among members of the R. nuchalis Group? (3) What has been the biogeographic history of this species group? To resolve these questions we used four mitochondrial gene sequences and one nuclear sequence to investigate the molecular phylogenetic and geographic relationships among populations. Our molecular analysis reveals cryptic species diversity within the R. nuchalis Group, and seven clades were identified in the analysis. Ancestral area estimation suggests that the R. nuchalis Group originated in the Hengduan Mountains approximately 6.24 Mya and expanded its range northward to the Qinling-Daba Mountains. The Sichuan Basin appears to have been a barrier to migration. Species divergence seems to have been related to the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxiang Zhu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
| | - Shijun Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5305, USA
| | - Yuqi Cheng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dingqi Rao
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Qin Wang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
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11
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Zhou YN, Zhang CY, Zhang ZH, Zhong JJ, Ding GH. Complete mitochondrial genome of the Red Keelback ( Pseudagkistrodon rudis Boulenger, 1906). MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES 2021; 6:2830-2831. [PMID: 34514143 PMCID: PMC8425753 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1923419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Red Keelback (Pseudagkistrodon rudis Boulenger, 1906) is widely distributed in the southern of China. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of P. rudis was determined for the first time by using next-generation sequencing. The size of assembled mitogenome for P. rudis was 19,150 bp, which included 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs and two control regions (d-loop1 and d-loop2). The Bayesian tree showed that P. rudis and Rhabdophis tigrinus have a closed relationship. These results can provide data for phylogeny and molecular classification of the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Nan Zhou
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuan-Ying Zhang
- Development Center of Suichang Ecological Forestry, Suichang, China
| | - Zheng-Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhong
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guo-Hua Ding
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Liu Q, Xie X, Wu Y, Shu G, Guo K, Guo P, Cui L. High genetic divergence but low morphological differences in a keelback snake
Rhabdophis subminiatus
(Reptilia, Colubridae). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liu
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forest and Food Engineering Yibin University Yibin China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Xinhong Xie
- Key Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan Southwest Forestry University Kunming China
- Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Yuechi County Guang'an China
| | - Yayong Wu
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forest and Food Engineering Yibin University Yibin China
| | - Guocheng Shu
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forest and Food Engineering Yibin University Yibin China
| | - Keji Guo
- Central South Forest Inventory and Planning Institute of State Forestry Administration Changsha China
| | - Peng Guo
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forest and Food Engineering Yibin University Yibin China
| | - Liangwei Cui
- Key Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan Southwest Forestry University Kunming China
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13
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Inoue T, Nakata R, Savitzky AH, Yoshinaga N, Mori A, Mori N. New Insights Into Dietary Toxin Metabolism: Diversity in the Ability of the Natricine Snake Rhabdophis tigrinus to Convert Toad-Derived Bufadienolides. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:915-925. [PMID: 34258693 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Japanese natricine snake Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters cardiotonic steroids, bufadienolides (BDs), from ingested toads in the nuchal glands as defensive toxins. A previous study showed that R. tigrinus in captivity converts dietary BDs when it sequesters them. However, it is unknown whether the dietary BDs are actually converted and the modified products accumulated under natural conditions. It is also unknown to what extent the BD profile of ingested toads is reflected in that of the snake. We collected 123 snakes from throughout Japan, analyzed their BD profiles by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and identified 15 BDs from R. tigrinus by nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. We also compared their BD profiles using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). HCA exhibited two main clusters associated with their collection locations: eastern and western regions of the Japanese main islands. These results, coupled with previous findings on the BDs of Japanese toads, suggest that 1) R. tigrinus converts toad-derived BDs into other compounds under natural conditions; 2) there are both universal and regionally-specific conversions of dietary BDs by R. tigrinus; and 3) geographic variation in toad BD profiles is partially reflected in the variation of snake BD profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ryu Nakata
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, 1-1 Nanjo Otani, Sogabe, Kameoka, Kyoto, 621-8555, Japan
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5305, USA
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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14
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Fukuda M, Mori A. Does an Asian Natricine Snake, Rhabdophis tigrinus, Have Chemical Preference for a Skin Toxin of Toads? CURRENT HERPETOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.5358/hsj.40.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Fukuda
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606–8502, JAPAN
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606–8502, JAPAN
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15
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Phylogenetics of mud snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae): A paradox of both undescribed diversity and taxonomic inflation. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 160:107109. [PMID: 33609712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mud snakes (Serpentes: Homalopsidae) are a family of 55 described, mainly aquatic, species primarily distributed throughout mainland Southeast Asia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Although they have been the focus of prior research, the basic relationships amongst genera and species remain poorly known. We used a combined mitochondrial and nuclear gene dataset to infer their phylogenetic relationships, using the highest levels of taxon and geographic sampling for any homalopsid phylogeny to date (62% generic and 62% species coverage; 140 individuals). Our results recover two reciprocally monophyletic groups: the fangless Brachyorrhos and its sister clade comprised of all rear-fanged homalopsids. Most genera and interspecific relationships were monophyletic and strongly supported, but intergeneric relationships and intraspecific population structure lack support. We find evidence of both undescribed diversity as well as cases of taxonomic inflation within several species. Tree-based species delimitation approaches (mPTP) support potential new candidate species as distinct from their conspecifics and also suggest that many named taxa may not be distinct species. Divergence date estimation and lineage-through-time analyses indicate lower levels of speciation in the Eocene, with a subsequent burst in diversification in the Miocene. Homalopsids may have diversified most rapidly during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, possibly in relation to tectonic shifts and sea-level fluctuations that took place in Sundaland and the Sahul Shelf. Our analyses provide new insights on homalopsid taxonomy, a baseline phylogeny for the family, and further biogeographic implications demonstrating how dynamic tectonics and Quaternary sea level changes may have shaped a widespread, diverse family of snakes.
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16
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Zhu GX, Yang S, Savitzky AH, Zhang L, Cheng Y, Wang J. The Nucho-dorsal Glands of Rhabdophis guangdongensis (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae), with Notes on Morphological Variation and Phylogeny Based on Additional Specimens. CURRENT HERPETOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.5358/hsj.39.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Xiang Zhu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, China
| | - Shijun Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, China
| | - Alan H. Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322–5305, USA
| | - Liang Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangdong 510260, China
| | - Yuqi Cheng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, China
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17
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Ganesh S, S. B, P. Karthik, Babu Rao, S. Babu. Catalogue of herpetological specimens from peninsular India at the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2020. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.6036.12.9.16123-16135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We list the herpetological voucher specimens in the holdings of the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), a wildlife research institute in India. Most of the collections are the fruition of fieldwork by SACON’s herpetologist and a coauthor of this work—late Dr. Subramanian Bhupathy (1963–2014). Taxonomically, the collection represents 125 species, comprising 29 amphibian species belonging to eight families and 96 reptilian species belonging to 17 families. Geographically, the material in this collection originates from the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, the Deccan Plateau, and the Coromandel Coast, comprehensively covering all ecoregions of peninsular India. A total of 15 taxa (three amphibians, 12 reptiles) remain to be fully identified and are provisionally referred to most-resembling taxa, with cf. prefix. All the specimens in this collection are non-types as on date.
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18
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Yoshida T, Ujiie R, Savitzky AH, Jono T, Inoue T, Yoshinaga N, Aburaya S, Aoki W, Takeuchi H, Ding L, Chen Q, Cao C, Tsai TS, Silva AD, Mahaulpatha D, Nguyen TT, Tang Y, Mori N, Mori A. Dramatic dietary shift maintains sequestered toxins in chemically defended snakes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:5964-5969. [PMID: 32094167 PMCID: PMC7084117 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1919065117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike other snakes, most species of Rhabdophis possess glands in their dorsal skin, sometimes limited to the neck, known as nucho-dorsal and nuchal glands, respectively. Those glands contain powerful cardiotonic steroids known as bufadienolides, which can be deployed as a defense against predators. Bufadienolides otherwise occur only in toads (Bufonidae) and some fireflies (Lampyrinae), which are known or believed to synthesize the toxins. The ancestral diet of Rhabdophis consists of anuran amphibians, and we have shown previously that the bufadienolide toxins of frog-eating species are sequestered from toads consumed as prey. However, one derived clade, the Rhabdophis nuchalis Group, has shifted its primary diet from frogs to earthworms. Here we confirm that the worm-eating snakes possess bufadienolides in their nucho-dorsal glands, although the worms themselves lack such toxins. In addition, we show that the bufadienolides of R. nuchalis Group species are obtained primarily from fireflies. Although few snakes feed on insects, we document through feeding experiments, chemosensory preference tests, and gut contents that lampyrine firefly larvae are regularly consumed by these snakes. Furthermore, members of the R. nuchalis Group contain compounds that resemble the distinctive bufadienolides of fireflies, but not those of toads, in stereochemistry, glycosylation, acetylation, and molecular weight. Thus, the evolutionary shift in primary prey among members of the R. nuchalis Group has been accompanied by a dramatic shift in the source of the species' sequestered defensive toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Yoshida
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rinako Ujiie
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alan H Savitzky
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5305
| | - Teppei Jono
- Laboratory of Ryukyu Island Biogeography, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, 903-0213 Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takato Inoue
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan;
| | - Naoko Yoshinaga
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Aburaya
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wataru Aoki
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Biology, College of Bioresource Science, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880 Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Chengquan Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, 614000 Sichuan, China
| | - Tein-Shun Tsai
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu Township, 91201 Pingtung, Taiwan
| | | | - Dharshani Mahaulpatha
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 10250 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Tao Thien Nguyen
- Department of Nature Conservation, Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Yezhong Tang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Naoki Mori
- Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
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19
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Shi Q, Yang S, Tang W, Zhang C, Cheng Y, Zhu G. Complete mitochondrial genome of Rhabdophis guangdongensis (Squamata: Colubridae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1567287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Shi
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
| | - Shijun Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
| | - Wenjiao Tang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
| | - Yuqi Cheng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
| | - Guangxiang Zhu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’ an, China
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