ABSTRACT
A new species of odd-scaled snake in the genus Achalinus is described from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China, based on seven female specimens. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) dorsum iridescent and uniformly dark brown in preservative, longitudinal vertebral line absent; (2) light brown beneath; (3) dotted black streak in the middle of the subcaudals absent; (4) tail length relatively short, TaL/ToL 12-16%, in females; (5) fewer subcaudals, 41-46 in females; (6) dorsal scales 23 rows throughout, strongly keeled; the outer-most rows on both sides are also keeled and slightly enlarged; (7) one loreal; (8) internasal not fused to prefrontal; (9) suture between internasals is similar in size when compared to the suture between prefrontals; (10) preocular and postocular absent; (11) 6 supralabials; (12) 5 infralabials, the first 3 (rarely 2) touching the first pair of chin shields; (13) 3 pairs of chin shields. A phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), showed that this new species forms a monophyletic group with strong support. In addition, the uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other known congeners ranged from 3.4% to 13.0%. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 21.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Snakes , Female , Animals , Phylogeny , Animal Structures , Animal Distribution , Lizards/genetics , ChinaABSTRACT
The gecko species Gekko (Japonigekko) subpalmatus was previously recorded with a relatively wide distribution from eastern, southern, and southeastern China. However, the populations in southern China are currently recognized as another valid species G. (J.) melli. In this study, we conduct a detailed morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis of the populations currently treated as G. (J.) subpalmatus or G. (J.) melli, which are collectively designated as the G. (J.) subpalmatus complex. Our results reveal that the G. (J.) subpalmatus complex comprises three evolutionarily independent taxa. The populations from Zhejiang, eastern China are G. (J.) subpalmatus, those from southern China are G. (J.) melli, while those from the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China represent a cryptic species, Gekko (Japonigekko) cib sp. nov.. Gekko (Japonigekko) cib sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners, by its divergence from other complex members in the CYTB and 16S genes, and a combination of morphological characteristics, especially in hemipenial morphology. Historic records of G. (J.) subpalmatus complex are also reviewed.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Animals , China , Lizards/classification , Lizards/genetics , PhylogenyABSTRACT
A new species of the genus Dendrelaphis is described from Xishuangbanna, southern Yunnan, China, based on molecular and morphological data. The new species can be differentiated from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 1) ground color of body bronze, a black postocular stripe extending onto the neck only; 2) pale and dark ventrolateral stripe absent; 3) relatively indistinct transverse bands on the anterior part of lateral body; 4) loreal single; 5) vertebral scales strongly enlarged; 6) dorsal scale rows 15-15-11, all smooth; 7) ventrals 193-197, subcaudals 130-135, paired; 8) SVL/TOL ratio 0.292-0.301; 9) supralabials 9, 4th through 6th touching the eye; 10) the outermost row of dorsal scales the same color as other dorsal scales; 11) retracted hemipenis extending to the 6-7th subcaudal scales. According to molecular and morphological data, D. ngansonensis likely belongs to the D. cyanochloris complex. We further discussed D. cyanochloris complex from Tibet, Yunnan and Hainan, China. A key to Chinese species of Dendrelaphis is provided.
Subject(s)
Colubridae , Lizards , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures , Animals , China , ColorABSTRACT
Little is known about the worm-eating snakes of the genus Trachischium in the East Himalaya due to their secretive nature. To date, only T. monticola and T. tenuiceps are recorded from China, and the former species was recorded based on historical literature without vouchered information. In addition, a questionable record of T. guentheri in Tibet, China exists in literature, but no one has yet confirmed this distribution record. Here we confirm the distribution of T. guentheri in southeastern Tibet, China based on a newly collected specimen, and provide the first detailed description of T. monticola, including the first description of its hemipenial morphology, based on newly collected Tibetan specimens. Lastly, we provide a diagnostic key to the three Chinese species, and discuss the general distribution patterns of the genus in the Trans-Himalayan Region.
