Comparative Immunodiffusion Survey of Snake Transferrins Focused on the Relationships of the Natricines

Abstract

Relationships of natricins were ascertained through immunodiffusion. Antigenic distance measures indicate the Natricinae (- Homolopsini) are a natural assemblage with four major subgroups represented by Nerodia, Sinonatrix, Natrix and Xenochrophis. Acrochordus is not a natricine. The Xenodontinae and Lycodontinae appear to be heterogeneous assemblages of genera but the Colubrinae seem an homogeneous assemblage.