The phylogeny, phylogeography, and diversification history of the westernmost Asian cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: ) in the Trans-Caspian region.

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the phylogenetic, phylogeographic, and demographic relationships of Caspian cobra ( Eichwald, 1831) populations based on a concatenated dataset of two mtDNA genes (cyt and ND4) across the species' range in Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, along with other members of Asian cobras ( subgenus Laurenti, 1768). Our results robustly supported that the Asiatic are monophyletic, as previously suggested by other studies. Furthermore, .  and were recovered as sister taxa to each other, and in turn sister clades to . Our results also highlighted the existence of a single major evolutionary lineage for populations of in the Trans-Caspian region, suggesting a rapid expansion of this cobra from eastern to western Asia, coupled with a rapid range expansion from east of Iran toward the northeast. However, across the Iranian range of , subdivision of populations was not supported, and thus, a single evolutionary significant unit is proposed for inclusion in future conservation plans in this region.