Project:

Investigating the evolutionary relationships of subspecies within the Boa constrictor species complex

Students:

John Ugolotti, Pavan Khosla

Institution:

St. Francis College, Brooklyn

Mentors:

Antonia Florio

Abstract:

Boa constrictors are nonpoisonous constrictors that have a wide distribution (tropical Central and South America) and that vary in appearance (Russo, 2007). Boa constrictors wear some of the most distinctive markings of all reptiles. These markings are usually work well to blend the snakes in with their habitat. The taxonomic history of Boa constrictors is very complex and nine subspecies of boa constrictors are currently recognized by authorities. The four main subspecies we will be working with are B. c. constrictor, B. c. amarali, B. c. sabogae and B. c. imperator. Our project aims to see if these subspecies are in fact different species by determining their evolutionary relationships, and also by determining percent genetic differences between the subspecies.

Poster:

Team samples: