Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Historical Biogeography of the Terrestrial Reptiles of Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Geographic Ranges and Molecular Phylogenies

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Species Diversity of Animals in Japan

Part of the book series: Diversity and Commonality in Animals ((DCA))

Abstract

The geographic ranges and divergence times of Japanese terrestrial reptiles and their close relatives were compared on the basis of recent taxonomic and molecular systematic studies. The comparison of geographic ranges suggested that the Japanese reptile fauna consists of three major biogeographic elements, those of the Southern Ryukyus, the Central Ryukyus, and the Japan Mainland, encompassing taxa endemic to each of these areas. In addition, some interchanges with southern China–Taiwan, Korea–northeastern China–far eastern Russia, and the Pacific islands may also have contributed to the Japanese reptile fauna. The comparison of geographic ranges of related taxa and their divergence times suggested that most of the Southern Ryukyu element was formed by isolation from the fauna of Taiwan and southern China during the Pliocene; the Central Ryukyu element was mostly formed by isolation from the faunas of Taiwan, China, and the Japan Mainland during the late Miocene, in addition to some quite old relict taxa dating back to the Eocene; and the Japan Mainland element was initially formed by isolation from the continental fauna during the middle Miocene, followed by secondary interchange in the Pliocene and Pleistocene.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aoki R (2001) The crocodilian fossils from the Tsubusagawa Formation (Pliocene) of Japan. Research Report of the Lake Biwa Museum Project Office 18:97–109 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Avise JC, Bowen BW, Lamb T, Meylan AB, Bermingham E (1992) Mitochondrial DNA evolution at a turtle’s pace: evidence for low genetic variability and reduced microevolutionary rate in the Testudines. Mol Biol Evol 9(3):457–473

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandley MC, Wang Y, Guo X, Nieto Montes de Oca A, Fería-Ortíz M, Hikida T, Ota H (2011) Accommodating heterogenous rates of evolution in molecular divergence dating methods: an example using intercontinental dispersal of Plestiodon (Eumeces) lizards. Syst Biol 60(1):3–15

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandley MC, Ota H, Hikida T, Nieto Montes de Oca A, Fería-Ortíz M, Guo X, Wan Y (2012) The phylogenetic systematics of blue-tailed skinks (Plestiodon) and the family Scincidae. Zool J Linn Soc 165:163–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Burbrink FT, Lawson R (2007) How and when did Old World ratsnakes disperse into the New World? Mol Phylogenet Evol 43:173–189

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y (2009) Conservation biogeography of the snake family Colubridae of China. North-West J Zool 5(2):251–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Hikida T, Han S, Shim J, Oh H, Ota H (2001a) Taxonomic status of the Korean populations of the genus Scincella (Squamata: Scincidae). J Herpetol 35(1):122–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Ota H, Hikida T (2001b) Geographic variation in the two smooth skinks, Scincella boettgeri and S. formosensis (Squamata: Scincidae), in the subtropical East Asian islands. Zool Sci 18:115–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, McKelvy AD, Grismer LL, Matsui M, Nishikawa K, Burbrink FT (2014a) The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of the rainbow tree snake Gonyophis margaritatus (Peters, 1871) (Squamata: Colubridae). Zootaxa 3881(6):532–548

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Jiang K, Guo P, Huang S, Rao D, Ding L, Takeuchi H, Che J, Zhang Y, Myers EA, Burbrink FT (2014b) Assessing species boundaries and the phylogenetic position of the rare Szechwan ratsnake, Euprepiophis perlaceus (Serpentes: Colubridae), using coalescent-based methods. Mol Phylogenet Evol 70:130–136

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick AM, Greene HW, Parkinson CL (2011) The serpent and the egg: unidirectional evolution of reproductive mode in vipers? J Zool Syst Evol Res 50(1):59–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz U, Gong S, Auer M, Kuchling G, Schneeweiß N, Hundsdörfer AK (2010) The world’s economically most important chelonians represent a diverse species complex (Testudines: Trionychidae: Pelodiscus). Org Divers Evol 10(3):227–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillon J, Guéry L, Hulin V, Girondot M (2012) A large phylogeny of turtles (Testudines) using molecular data. Contrib Zool 81(3):147–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo P, Zhang L, Liu Q, Pyron RA, Jiang K, Burbrink FT (2013) Lycodon and Dinodon: one genus or two? Evidence from molecular phylogenetics and morphological comparisons. Mol Phylogenet Evol 68:144–149

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guo P, Zhu F, Liu Q, Zhang L, Li JX, Huang YY, Pyron RA (2014) A taxonomic revision of the Asian keelback snakes, genus Amphiesma (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae), with description of a new species. Zootaxa 3873(4):425–440

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayashi F, Shima A, Horikoshi K, Kawakami K, Segawa RD, Tadashi A, Suzuki T (2009) Limited overwater dispersal and genetic differentiation of the snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus nigropunctatus) in the Oceanic Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Zool Sci 26:543–549

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T (1993) Phylogenetic relationships of the skinks of the genus Eumeces (Scincidae: Reptilia) from East Asia. Jpn J Herpetol 15:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T (2002) Natural history of the reptiles. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T (2003) Biogeography of reptiles in islands in East Asia: geographic distributions from views of molecular and morphological studies. Biol Sci (Tokyo) 54:205–220 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T, Motokawa J (1999) Phylogeographical relationships of the skinks of the genus Eumeces (Reptilia: Scincidae) in East Asia. In: Ota H (ed) Tropical island herpetofauna: origin, current diversity, and conservation. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 231–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T, Ota H (1997) Biogeography of reptiles in the subtropical East Asian islands. In: Lue KY, Chen T (eds) Proceedings of the symposium on the phylogeny, biogeography and conservation of fauna and flora of East Asian fegion. National Science Council, R.O.C., Taipei, pp 11–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T, Ota H, Kuramoto M, Toyama M (1989) Zoogeography of amphibians and reptiles in East Asia. In: Matsui M, Hikida T, Goris RC (eds) Current herpetology in East Asia. Herpetological Society of Japan, Kyoto, pp 278–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikida T, Ota H, Toyama M (1992) Herpetofauna of an encounter zone of Oriental and Palearctic elements: amphibians and reptiles of the Tokara Group and adjacent islands in the northern Ryukyus, Japan. Biol Mag (Okinawa) 30:29–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirayama R (2001) Fossil turtles from the Tsubusagawa Formation (Pliocene) of Ajimu-cho, Oita Prefecture, Northern Kyushu, Japan. Res Rep Lake Biwa Mus Proj Office 18:79–96 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirayama R (2006) Review of fossil turtles of Japan. Fossils 80:47–59 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirayama R, Kaneko N, Okazaki H (2007) Ocadia nipponica, a new species of aquatic turtle (Testudines: Testudinoidea: Geoemydidae) from the Middle Pleistocene of Chiba Prefecture, central Japan. Paleontol Res 11(1):1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Honda M, Yasukawa Y, Hirayama R, Ota H (2002) Phylogenetic relationships of the Asian box turtles of the genus Cuora sensu lato (Reptilia: Bataguridae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Zool Sci 19:1305–1312

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Honda M, Kurita T, Toda M, Ota H (2014) Phylogenetic relationships, genetic divergence, historical biogeography and conservation of an endangered gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Squamata: Eublepharidae), from the Central Ryukyus, Japan. Zool Sci 31:309–320

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ineich I (1999) Spatio-temporal analysis of the unisexual-bisexual Lepidodactylus lugubris complex (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). In: Ota H (ed) Tropical island herpetofauna: origin, current diversity, and conservation. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 199–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Kizaki K, Oshiro I (1977) Paleogeography of the Ryukyu islands. Mar Sci Mon 9:542–549 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koizumi Y, Ota H, Hikida T (2014) Phylogeography of the two smooth skinks, Scincella boettgeri and S. formosensis (Squamata: Scincidae) in the southern Ryukyus and Taiwan, as inferred from variation in mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Zool Sci 31:228–236

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus F (2009) Alien reptiles and amphibians: a scientific compendium and analysis. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurita K, Hikida T (2014a) Divergence and long-distance overseas dispersals of island populations of the Ryukyu five-lined skink, Plestiodon marginatus (Scincidae: Squamata), in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, as revealed by mitochondrial DNA phylogeography. Zool Sci 31:187–194

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kurita K, Hikida T (2014b) A new species of Plestiodon (Squamata: Scincidae) from Kuchinoshima Island in the Tokara Group of the northern Ryukyus, Japan. Zool Sci 31:464–474

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuriyama T, Brandley MC, Katayama A, Mori A, Honda M, Hasegawa M (2011) A time-calibrated phylogenetic approach to assessing the phylogeography, colonization history and phenotypic evolution of snakes in the Japanese Izu Islands. J Biogeogr 38:259–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Lei J, Sun X, Jiang K, Vogel G, Booth DT, Ding L (2014) Multilocus phylogeny of Lycodon and the taxonomic revision of Oligodon multizonatum. Asian Herpetol Res 5(1):26–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenk P, Fritz U, Joger U, Wink M (1999) Mitochondrial phylogeography of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus 1758). Mol Ecol 8:1911–1922

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin S, Chen CA, Lue K (2002) Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the grass lizards genus Takydromus (Reptilia: Lacertidae) of East Asia. Mol Phylogenet Evol 22(2):276–288

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Myers EA, Zhong GH, Hu J, Zhao H, Guo P (2012) Molecular evidence on the systematic position of the lance-headed pitviper Protobothrops maolaneisis Yang et al., 2011. Zootaxa 3178:57–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Lue K, Lin S (2008) Two new cryptic species of Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Taiwan. Herpetologica 64(3):379–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Maenosono T, Toda M (2007) Distributions of amphibians and terrestrial reptiles in the Ryukyu archipelago: a review of published records. Akamata 18:28–46 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra A, Thorpe RS (2000) The dynamics of natural selection and vicariance in the Dominican anole: patterns of within-island molecular and morphological divergence. Evolution 54(1):245–258

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra A, Thorpe RS (2004) Phylogeny of four mitochondrial gene regions suggests a revised taxonomy for Asian pitvipers (Trimeresurus and Ovophis). Mol Phylogenet Evol 32:83–100

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuo T (2005) Amphibians and reptiles in Nagasaki Prefecture. Nagasaki-shinbunsha, Nagasaki (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Motokawa J, Hikida T (2003) Genetic variation and differentiation in the Japanese five-lined skink, Eumeces latiscutatus (Reptilia: Squamata). Zool Sci 20:97–106

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y, Takahashi A, Ota H (2014) A new, recently extinct subspecies of the Kuroiwa’s leopard gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Squamata: Eublepharidae), from Yoronjima Island of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Acta Herpetol 9(1):61–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto T, Hikida T (2012) A new cryptic species allied to Plestiodon japonicus (Peters, 1864) (Squamata: Scincidae) from eastern Japan, and diagnoses of the new species and two parapatric congeners based on morphology and DNA barcode. Zootaxa 3436:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto T, Motokawa J, Toda M, Hikida T (2006) Parapatric distribution of the lizards Plestiodon (formerly Eumeces) latiscutatus and P. japonicus (Reptilia: Scincidae) around the Izu Peninsula, central Japan, and its biogeographic implications. Zool Sci 23:419–425

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ota H (1998) Geographic pattern of endemism and speciation in amphibians and reptiles of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, with special reference to their paleogeographical implications. Res Popul Ecol 40:189–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H (2000) The current geographic faunal pattern of reptiles and amphibians of the Ryukyu Archipelago and adjacent regions. Tropics 10(1):51–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H (2003) A new subspecies of the agamid lizard, Japalura polygonata (Hallowell, 1861) (Reptilia: Squamata), from Yonagunijima Island of the Yaeyama Group, Ryukyu Archipelago. Curr Herpetol 22:61–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Iwanaga S (1997) A systematic review of the snakes allied to Amphiesma pryeri (Boulenger) (Squamata: Colubridae) in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Zool J Linn Soc 121:339–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Lin J, Chen S (1997) Systematic review of colubrid snakes of the genus Pareas in the East Asian islands. J Herpetol 31(1):79–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Ito A, Lin J (1999) Systematic review of the elapid snakes allied to Hemibungarus japonicus (Günther, 1868) in the East Asian islands, with description of a new subspecies from the central Ryukyus. J Herpetol 33(4):675–687

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Honda M, Chen S, Hikida T, Panha S, Oh H, Matsui M (2002) Phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy, character evolution and biogeography of the lacertid lizards of the genus Takydromus (Reptilia: Squamata): a molecular perspective. Biol J Linn Soc 76:493–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Toda M, Masunaga G, Kikukawa A, Toda M (2004) Feral populations of amphibians and reptiles in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Global Environ Res 8:133–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Paik N, Min M, Shim J, Yang S, Toriba M (1993) Isozyme analysis of the species of the genus Agkistrodon in Far Eastern region. Snake 25:99–104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poulakakis N, Lymberakis P, Tsigennopoulos CS, Magoulas A, Mylonas M (2005) Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Sauria: Scincidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 34:245–256

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rösler H, Bauer AM, Heinicke MP, Greenbaum E, Jackman T, Nguyen TQ, Zieagler T (2011) Phylogeny, taxonomy; and zoogeography of the genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768 with the revalidation of G. reevesii Gray, 1831 (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Zootaxa 2989:1–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato H, Ota H (1999) False biogeographical pattern derived from artificial animal transportations: a case of the soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. In: Ota H (ed) Tropical island herpetofauna: origin, current diversity, and conservation. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 317–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengoku S, Hikida T, Matsui M, Nakaya K (eds) (1996) The encyclopedia of animals in Japan, volume 5: amphibians, reptiles, Chondrichthyes. Heibonsha, Tokyo (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinks PQ, Shaffer HB, Iverson JB, McCord WP (2004) Phylogenetic hypotheses for the turtle family Geoemydidae. Mol Phylogenet Evol 32:164–182

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Surget-Groba Y, Heulin B, Guillaume C, Thorpe RS, Kupriyanova L, Vogrin N, Maslak R, Mazzotti S, Venczel M, Ghira I, Odierra G, Leontyeva O, Monney JC, Smith N (2001) Interspecific phylogeography of Lacerta vivipara and the evolution of viviparity. Mol Phylogenet Evol 18(3):449–459

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki D, Hikida T (2014) Taxonomic status of the soft-shell turtle populations in Japan: a molecular approach. Curr Herpetol 33(2):171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi A, Kato T, Ota H (2007) A new species of the genus Geoemyda (Chelonii: Geoemydidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of Tokunoshima Island, the central Ryukyus, Japan. Curr Herpetol 26(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi A, Otsuka H, Ota H (2008) Systematic review of Late Pleistocene turtles (Reptilia: Chelonii) from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, with special reference to paleogeographical implications. Pac Sci 62(3):395–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi A, Ōki K, Ishido T, Hirayama R (2013) A new species of the genus Ocadia (Testudines: Geoemydidae) from the middle Miocene of Tanegashima Island, southwestern Japan and its paleogeographic implications. Zootaxa 3647:527–540

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi A, Otsuka H, Ota H (2015) A new species of the genus Mauremys (Testudines: Geoemydidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of Miyakojima Island, Ryukyus Archipelago, Japan. Curr Herpetol 34(2):149–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi H, Ota H, Oh H, Hikida T (2012) Extensive genetic divergence in the East Asian natricine snake, Rhabdophis tigrinus (Serpentes: Colubridae), with special reference to prominent geographical differentiation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in Japanese populations. Biol J Linn Soc 105:395–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi H, Takeuchi M, Hikida T (2013) Extremely low genetic diversity in the Japanese population of Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae) revealed by mitochondrial DNA. Curr Herpetol 32:66–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi H, Zhu G, Ding L, Tang Y, Ota H, Mori A, Oh H, Hikida T (2014) Taxonomic validity and phylogeography of the east Eurasian natricine snake, Rhabdophis lateralis (Berthold, 1859) (Serpentes: Colubridae), as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Curr Herpetol 32(2):148–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang X, Chen Q (2006) On the taxonomic status of Platyplacous sylvaticus based on 12S rRNA gene. Acta Zootax Sin 31(3):475–479 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M (2008) External characters useful to discriminate Gekko hokouensis and its cryptic undescribed species of the Okinawa Group, Japan: a preliminary report. Akamata 19:23–30 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M (2014) Ogasawara snake-eyed skink. In: Ministry of the Environment J (ed) Red Data Book 2014. Threatened wildlife of Japan, vol 3, Reptilia/Amphibia. GYOSEI Corporation, Tokyo, p 76 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M, Yoshida T (2005) Issues and perspectives regarding invasive alien species of amphibians and reptiles in Japan. Bull Herpetol Soc Jpn 2005(2):139–149 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M, Nishida M, Tu M, Hikida T, Ota H (1999) Genetic variation, phylogeny and biogeography of the pitvipers of the genus Trimeresurus sensu lato (Reptilia: Viperidae) in the subtropical East Asian islands. In: Ota H (ed) Tropical island herpetofauna: origin, current diversity, and conservation. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 249–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M, Hikida T, Ota H (2001) Discovery of sympatric cryptic species within Gekko hokouensis (Gekkonidae: Squamata) from the Okinawa Islands, Japan, by use of allozyme data. Zool Scr 30:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Toda M, Sengoku S, Hikida T, Ota H (2008) Description of two new species of the genus Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Tokara and Amami Island Groups in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Copeia 2008:452–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Tseng S, Wang C, Li S, Lin S (2015) Within-island speciation with an exceptional case of distinct separation between two sibling lizard species divided by a narrow stream. Mol Phylogenet Evol 90:164–175

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tu M, Wang H, Tsai M, Toda M, Lee W, Zhang F, Ota H (2000) Phylogeny, taxonomy, and biogeography of the Oriental pitvipers of the genus Trimeresurus (Reptilia: Viperidae: Crotalinae): a molecular perspective. Zool Sci 17:1147–1157

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [van Dijk PP, Iverson JB, Rhodin AGJ, Shaffer HB, Bour R] (2014) Turtles of the world, 7th edition: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution with maps, and conservation status. In: Rhodin AGJ, Pritchard PCH, van Dijk PP, Saumure RA, Buhlmann KA, Iverson JB, Mittermeier RA (eds) Conservation biology of freshwater turtles and tortoises: a compilation project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Res Monogr 5(7):000.329–479. http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v7_2014.pdf

  • Utiger U, Helfenberger N, Schätti B, Schmidt C, Ruf M, Ziswiler V (2002) Molecular systematics and phylogeny of old and new world ratsnakes, Elaphe Auct., and related genera (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae). Russ J Herpetol 9(2):105–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel G, David P, Pauwels OSG, Sumontha M, Norval G, Hendrix R, Vu NT, Ziegler T (2009) A revision of Lycodon ruhstrati (Fischer 1886) auctorum (Squamata Colubridae), with the description of a new species from Thailand and a new subspecies from the Asian mainland. Trop Zool 22:131–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Jin M, Li Y, Grismer LL (2014) Description of a new species of Goniurosaurus (Squamata: Eublepharidae) from the Guangdong Province, China, based on molecular and morphological data. Herpetologica 70(3):309–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Wüster W, Peppin L, Pook CE, Walker DE (2008) A nesting of vipers: phylogeny and historical biogeography of the Viperidae (Squamata: Serpentes). Mol Phylogenet Evol 49:445–459

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang G, Li P, Yang Y (2009) Amphibians and reptiles of Taiwan. Maotouying, Taipei (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y, Liu Q, Myers EA, Wang L, Huang S, He Y, Peng P, Guo P (2012) Molecular phylogeny of the genus Gloydius (Serpentes: Crotalinae). Asian Herpetol Res 3(2):127–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamashiro S, Toda M, Ota H (2000) Clonal composition of the parthenogenetic gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, at the northernmost extremity of its range. Zool Sci 17:1013–1020

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Zhao K (1978) On the zoogeographical regions of China. Acta Zool Sin 24(2):196–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang B, Huang X, Pan T, Zhang L, Zhou W, Song T, Han D (2013) Systematics and species validity of the Dabieshan pit viper Protobothrops dabieshanensis Huang et al. 2012: evidence from a mitochondrial gene sequence analysis. Asian Herpetol Res 4(4):282–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao E, Adler K (1993) Herpetology of China. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I express my gratitude to Tsutomu Hikida, Mamoru Toda, and many other colleagues associated with the Laboratory of Systematic Zoology, Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science of Kyoto University, for intensive discussions and providing literature. I also thank T. Hikida, M. Motokawa, and anonymous reviewers for critical reading and valuable comments. This study was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 24770080.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan

    Taku Okamoto

Authors
  1. Taku Okamoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taku Okamoto .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

    Masaharu Motokawa

  2. Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

    Hiroshi Kajihara

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Japan

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Okamoto, T. (2017). Historical Biogeography of the Terrestrial Reptiles of Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Geographic Ranges and Molecular Phylogenies. In: Motokawa, M., Kajihara, H. (eds) Species Diversity of Animals in Japan. Diversity and Commonality in Animals. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56432-4_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation