In this study nucleotide sequences from nuclear ribosomal RNA genes will be used to examine the higher-level relationships among snakes of the Infraorder Scolecophidia. The research will involve state-of-the-art molecular techniques and has the potential of providing valuable information relating to the organization of ribosomal gene repeats in vertebrates. In addition, the new data produced from this research will provide information that can be used to both examine patterns of morphological variation in snakes and other groups of vertebrates and evaluated analytical procedures designed for the statistical analysis of nucleotide sequence variation.
