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Thomas Ziegler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a new species of lycodon boie 1826 serpentes colubridae from central laos
Revue Suisse De Zoologie, 2020Co-Authors: Vinh Quang Luu, T Q Nguyen, Michael Bonkowski, Thomas Calame, Thomas ZieglerAbstract:We describe a new species of the genus Lycodon Boie based on an adult male specimen from Khammouane Province, central Laos. Lycodon banksisp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) Dorsal Scales in 17-17-15 rows, Dorsal Scales on the anterior 2/3 of the body length smooth, the six central Dorsal scale rows of the posterior 1/3 of the body length feebly keeled; (2) supralabials 8; (3) infralabials 10; (4) loreal in contact with the eye; (5) cloacal single; (6) ventral Scales 241; (7) Dorsal surface of body with 87 greyish yellow blotches; (8) ventral surface of body and tail uniformly grey cream. Based on the molecular comparison, Lycodon banksisp. nov. is placed in a clade with other species previously considered to be members of the genus Dinodon. The new species is at least 9% genetically divergent from other species within this clade as shown by a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b. This discovery increases the number of Lycodon species known from Laos to eleven.
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a new species of lycodon boie 1826 serpentes colubridae from northern vietnam
ZooKeys, 2019Co-Authors: Helen Yvonne Janssen, T Q Nguyen, Cuong T Pham, Hanh Thi Ngo, Thomas ZieglerAbstract:A new species of the genus Lycodon is described from Cao Bang Province, Vietnam, based on three individuals with distinct differences in morphology and molecular data. The new species is differentiated from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: Dorsal Scales in 17-17-15 rows, smooth throughout; supralabials usually eight (rarely nine); infralabials ten; one elongated loreal on each side, in contact with the eye; precloacal plate single; ventral Scales 212-218 (plus one or two preventral Scales); subcaudals 90 or 91; maxillary teeth 13 or 14; Dorsal surface of body with 28 or 29 light body bands; Dorsal surface of tail with 13 cream bands, forming a distinct blotch in the vertebral region. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister species to a clade containing L. multizonatus and L. liuchengchaoi with strong support from the Bayesian analysis. The new species is at least 7.5% divergent from other species within this clade in uncorrected pairwise distance calculated using a fragment of more than 1000 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b. This discovery increases the number of Lycodon species known from Vietnam to 16.
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a new species of lycodon boie 1826 serpentes colubridae from thanh hoa province vietnam
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Vinh Quang Luu, Thomas Ziegler, Nghia Van Ha, Tuoi Thi HoangAbstract:We describe a new species of the genus Lycodon based on an adult male specimen from Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Lycodon namdongensis sp. nov. is differentiated from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: Dorsal Scales in 17-17-15 rows, all smooth; supralabials 8; infralabials 10; one large loreal on each side, separated from the eye; cloacal single; ventral Scales 218 (plus two preventral Scales); subcaudals 85, paired; a total length of 723 mm; tail / total length ratio 0.205; Dorsal head pattern whitish grey; Dorsal surface of body with 23 narrow greyish cream bands; Dorsal surface of tail with 14 cream bands; ventral surface of body mostly cream with a few small dark spots posteriorly; ventral surface of tail dark grey. Based on molecular comparisons, Lycodon namdongensis sp. nov. is recovered as a sister species to L. futsingensis with strong support values from all three analyses. The new species is at least 6.5% genetically divergent from other species within this clade as shown by a fragment of more than 1000 pbs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b. This discovery increases the number of Lycodon species known from Vietnam to 15.
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morphological and molecular review of jacob s mountain stream keelback opisthotropis jacobi angel bourret 1933 squamata natricidae with description of a sibling species from northern vietnam
Zootaxa, 2018Co-Authors: Thomas Ziegler, Patrick David, Cuong T Pham, Tim N Ziegler, Truong Quang NguyenAbstract:New morphological data including hemipenis morphology is provided for Opisthotropis jacobi, a poorly known Mountain Stream Keelback from Vietnam and China, based on three newly collected individuals from Sa Pa (Lao Cai Province) and Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc Province) in northern Vietnam. In addition, morphological data from Vietnam is summarized based on the original description (Angel Bourret 1933), on the overview book by Bourret (1936) and on a number of smaller, little-known contributions by the latter author along with re-examination of specimens deposited in the herpetological collection of the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris. We also sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b from the newly collected specimens of the Jacob's Mountain Stream Keelback and performed molecular analyses of new and existing data of the genus. A recently discovered Opisthotropis population from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve in Bac Giang Province, northern Vietnam, which at the first glance resembled O. jacobi morphologically, is shown to diverge both genetically and morphologically from the existing species and is herein described as a new species. Opisthotropis voquyi sp. nov. is characterized by the combination of the following characters: internasal not in contact with loreal; one preocular; usually two postoculars; one anterior temporal; one posterior temporal; 7 or 8, rarely 9 supralabials; 25 maxillary teeth; subcaudals 74-86; 15 Dorsal scale rows at neck, at midbody and before vent; body Scales smooth or only with few faint keels; and Dorsal Scales being greyish, greyish-brown or brown in preservative, posteriorly more or less edged with pale greyish-brown. Phylogenetically, the new species is supported as a sister taxon to O. jacobi, but the two taxa are approximately 10% divergent based on cytochrome b data.
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review of the genus sphenomorphus fitzinger 1843 squamata sauria scincidae in vietnam with description of a new species from northern vietnam and southern china and the first record of sphenomorphus mimicus taylor 1962 from vietnam
Journal of Herpetology, 2011Co-Authors: Truong Quang Nguyen, Nikolai L. Orlov, Andreas Schmitz, Tao Thien Nguyen, Wolfgang Bohme, Thomas ZieglerAbstract:Abstract We describe a new forest skink species of the genus Sphenomorphus based on specimens from northern Vietnam and from Hainan Island, southern China. The new species is differentiated from the congeners by the combination of the following characters: size small (SVL 35.8–48.8 mm); prefrontals in contact with each other mesially; supralabials seven; primary temporals two; external ear opening present, without lobules, tympanum slightly sunk; midbody Scales in 32–34 rows; Dorsal Scales smooth, paravertebral Scales 65–72, not widened; limbs well developed, pentadactyl; 15–19 smooth lamellae under fourth toe; free margins of upper and lower eyelids edged in white; neck, dorsum, and tail base bronze-brown with a discontinuous dark vertebral stripe; upper lateral zone black, interrupted by small light spots from behind the neck. In addition, we provide a review of Vietnamese Sphenomorphus with the first country record of Sphenomorphus mimicus. The generic allocation of Sphenomorphus devorator (allocated t...
Pablo E. Penchaszadeh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A new species of brooding Psolidae (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) from deep-sea off Argentina, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2017Co-Authors: Mariano I. Martinez, Pablo E. PenchaszadehAbstract:Abstract This paper describes a new species of Psolus (Holothuroidea, Echinodermata), P. lawrencei sp. nov., (19 specimens) found in the deep sea (308–1398 m) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWAO) (around 38°S–54°W) with brooders (up to 3.15 mm) in the tentacles of females and a penis-like genital papilla on males. The presence of Dorsal Scales, the concave shape of the ossicles with a bridge, the distribution of podia on the Dorsal side and the absence of large and conspicuous oral and anal valves are unique for this species. Furthermore, this is the first species of this genus found outside Antarctica that broods between its tentacles. The paper also reviews the reproductive, brooding development and morphological characteristics of P. lawrencei sp. nov. and compares them with those of several members of the family Psolidae. Finally, a possible connectivity between the deep-sea populations in the SWAO and in Antarctica is considered based on the appearance of a similar reproductive pattern in populations found in both areas, which suggests a past or present connection between these regions.
Li Ding - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a new species of the genus dendrelaphis squamata colubridae from yunnan province china with discussion of the occurrence of d cyanochloris wall 1921 in china
Zootaxa, 2020Co-Authors: Ke Jiang, Li Ding, Zeng Wang, Jiatang LiAbstract:: 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.
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A New Species of the Genus Trimeresurus from Southwest China (Squamata: Viperidae)
'American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP)', 2019Co-Authors: Zening Chen, Jingsong Shi, Liang Zhang, Yezhong Tang, Yuhong Guo, Zhaobin Song, Li DingAbstract:Species from the Trimeresurus popeiorum complex (Subgenus: Popeia) is a very complex group. T. popeiorum is the only Popeia species known from China. During the past two years, five adult Popeia specimens (4 males, 1 female) were collected from Yingjiang County, Southern Yunnan, China. Molecular, morphological and ecological data show distinct differences from known species, herein we describe these specimens as a new species Trimeresurus yingjiangensis sp. nov Chen, Ding, Shi and Zhang, 2018. Morphologically, the new species distinct from other Popeia species by a combination of following characters: (1) Dorsal body olive drab,without cross bands on the Scales; (2) a conspicuous bicolor ventrolateral stripe present on each side of males, first row of Dorsal Scales firebrick with a white ellipse dot on posterior upper part in male, these strips absent in females; (3) eyes firebrick in both gender; (4) suboculars separated from 3rd upper labial by one scale on each side; (5) ventrals 164–168 (n = 5); (6) MSR 21
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a new species of the gloydius strauchi complex crotalinae viperidae serpentes from qinghai sichuan and gansu china
Russian Journal of Herpetology, 2018Co-Authors: Jingsong Shi, Li Ding, Nikolai L. Orlov, Diancheng Yang, Wuyuan Zhang, Lifang Peng, Fan Jiang, Mian Hou, Xinlei Huang, Song HuangAbstract:The Hengduanshan Mountains have long been recognized as one of the evolutionary radiation centers of the genus Gloydius . Here we describe a new species of the Gloydius strauchi complex, Gloydius angusticeps sp. nov. Shi, Yang, Huang, Orlov et Li, 2018, which has been discovered in the adjacent areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu Province, at the elevation of 3150 – 3653 m near the Yellow River. The new species is different from congeneric species by the following characteristics: (i) long and narrow head; (ii) grayish brown body coloration (few variations); (iii) 4 to 6 rows of discrete dark brown spots (or Ч-shaped patterns on the back); (iv) a pair of round spots on the parietal Scales; (v) a pair of arched stripes on the occiput; (vi) up to 21 rows mid-body Dorsal Scales. This study preliminary clarified the distribution pattern of the Gloydius strauchi complex in Qinghai and Sichuan Province. The discovery of this new species verifies the importance of the Hengduanshan Mountains as a biodiversity hotspot.
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a new moth preying alpine pit viper species from qinghai tibetan plateau viperidae crotalinae
Amphibia-reptilia, 2017Co-Authors: Gang Wang, Xier Chen, Yihao Fang, Li Ding, Song Huang, Pipeng LiAbstract:The Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of alpine mammals but a barren area in terms of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we describe a new pit viper species, Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Gloydius . The new species can be distinguished from the other congeneric species by the following characteristics: cardinal crossbands on the back, indistinct canthus rostralis, glossy Dorsal Scales, colubrid-like oval head shape, irregular small black spots on the head Scales, black eyes and high altitude distribution (3300-4770 m above sea level). The mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstruction supported the validity of the new species and furthermore reaffirms that G. intermedius changdaoensis , G. halys cognatus , G. h. caraganus and G. h. stejnegeri should be elevated as full species. Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sideridis sp.) in the wild. This unusual diet may be one of the key factors to the survival of this species in such a harsh alpine environment.
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Data from: A new moth-preying alpine pitviper species from Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (Viperidae, Crotalinae)
2017Co-Authors: Shi Jingsong, Xier Chen, Li Ding, Wang Gang, Huang Song, Hou Mian, Liu Jun, Li PipengAbstract:The Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of alpine mammals but a barren area in terms of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we describe a new pit viper species, Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Gloydius. The new species can be distinguished from the other congeneric species by the following characteristics: cardinal crossbands on the back, indistinct canthus rostralis, glossy Dorsal Scales, colubrid-like oval head shape, irregular small black spots on the head Scales, black eyes and high altitude distribution (3300-4770 m above sea level). The mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstruction supported the validity of the new species and furthermore reaffirms that G. intermedius changdaoensis, G. halys cognatus, G. h. caraganus and G. h. stejnegeri should be elevated as full species. Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sideridis sp.) in the wild. This unusual diet may be one of the key factors to the survival of this species in such a harsh alpine environment
Xavier Parellada - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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morphological variability of the lataste s viper vipera latastei and the atlas dwarf viper vipera monticola patterns of biogeographical distribution and taxonomy
Amphibia-reptilia, 2006Co-Authors: Jose Carlos Brito, Xavier Santos, Juan M Pleguezuelos, Gema Álvarez Llorente, Soumia Fahd, Xavier ParelladaAbstract:The Lataste's viper Vipera latastei is a medium-sized viper distributed throughout almost the entire Iberian Peninsula and north-west of Africa. Former morphological studies noted the existence of two subspecies, V. l. gaditana and V. l. latastei, as well as a full species, V. monticola, in the High Atlas, corresponding to the prior overall range described for V. latastei. However, some results remained unclear in these former studies, e.g. the specific status of the Medium Atlas populations, the intra-subspecific differences in V. l. gaditana and, the true status of some isolated populations of the northern range. For this reason, 45 morphological characters were analysed in 672 preserved specimens covering the entire range. Categorical Principal Components Analysis (CATPCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were used to assess geographic variability, treating specimens individually or assigning them ap riorito groups, respectively. Geographic groups were established according to the origin of specimens in isolated areas of mountain chains. As the percentage of correct assignment was low in DFA, initial groups were combined to maximize the percentage. The results from the multivariate analysis suggest morphological differentiation between populations. Some variables accounted for geographic variability: e.g. rows of Dorsal Scales at mid-body are taxonomically stable and clearly separate the African populations; and number of ventral Scales showed a clinal variation from 126 to 143 ventrals in extreme populations. The three African groups manifested clear morphological differences, and especially specimens from the High Atlas (V. monticola) and Alger. On the contrary, a large number of initial Iberian groups were merged because of the low scores in the correct classification. The final groups showed a vast central area with low morphological differentiation as well as isolated populations in the NW, NE and SW Iberian Peninsula. This conclusion matches well with allopatric speciation processes during the Quaternary ice ages, which contributed to the contraction/expansion of range, isolation events, and peripheral population refugia. Morphological differentiation in external characters of V. latastei exhibited similar results with respect to V. aspis and V. ammodytes, the vipers occupying other southern European peninsulas. Molecular markers will contribute to elucidate the relationships between V. latastei populations and the history of colonisation across the Strait of Gibraltar.
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morphological variability of the lataste s viper vipera latastei and the atlas dwarf viper vipera monticola patterns of biogeographical distribution and taxonomy
Amphibia-reptilia, 2006Co-Authors: Jose Carlos Brito, Xavier Santos, Juan M Pleguezuelos, Gema Álvarez Llorente, Soumia Fahd, Xavier ParelladaAbstract:The Lataste's viper Vipera latastei is a medium-sized viper distributed throughout almost the entire Iberian Peninsula and north-west of Africa. Former morphological studies noted the existence of two subspecies, V. l. gaditana and V. l. latastei, as well as a full species, V. monticola, in the High Atlas, corresponding to the prior overall range described for V. latastei. However, some results remained unclear in these former studies, e.g. the specific status of the Medium Atlas populations, the intra-subspecific differences in V. l. gaditana and, the true status of some isolated populations of the northern range. For this reason, 45 morphological characters were analysed in 672 preserved specimens covering the entire range. Categorical Principal Components Analysis (CATPCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) were used to assess geographic variability, treating specimens individually or assigning them ap riorito groups, respectively. Geographic groups were established according to the origin of specimens in isolated areas of mountain chains. As the percentage of correct assignment was low in DFA, initial groups were combined to maximize the percentage. The results from the multivariate analysis suggest morphological differentiation between populations. Some variables accounted for geographic variability: e.g. rows of Dorsal Scales at mid-body are taxonomically stable and clearly separate the African populations; and number of ventral Scales showed a clinal variation from 126 to 143 ventrals in extreme populations. The three African groups manifested clear morphological differences, and especially specimens from the High Atlas (V. monticola) and Alger. On the contrary, a large number of initial Iberian groups were merged because of the low scores in the correct classification. The final groups showed a vast central area with low morphological differentiation as well as isolated populations in the NW, NE and SW Iberian Peninsula. This conclusion matches well with allopatric speciation processes during the Quaternary ice ages, which contributed to the contraction/expansion of range, isolation events, and peripheral population refugia. Morphological differentiation in external characters of V. latastei exhibited similar results with respect to V. aspis and V. ammodytes, the vipers occupying other southern European peninsulas. Molecular markers will contribute to elucidate the relationships between V. latastei populations and the history of colonisation across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Jingsong Shi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus gloydius squamata viperidae crotalinae with description of two new alpine species from qinghai tibet plateau china
ZooKeys, 2021Co-Authors: Jingsong Shi, Jincheng Liu, Rohit Giri, John Benjamin Owens, Vishal Santra, Sourish Kuttalam, Melvin Selvan, Keji Guo, Anita MalhotraAbstract:We provide a molecular phylogeny of Asian pit vipers (the genus Gloydius) based on four mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND4, and cytb). Sequences of Gloydiushimalayanus, the only member of the genus that occurs south of the Himalayan range, are included for the first time. In addition, two new species of the genus Gloydius are described based on specimens collected from Zayu, Tibet, west of the Nujiang River and Heishui, Sichuan, east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The new species, Gloydiuslipipengi sp. nov., can be differentiated from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: the third supralabial not reaching the orbit (separated from it by a suborbital scale); wide, black-bordered greyish postorbital stripe extending from the posterior margin of the orbit (not separated by the postoculars, covering most of the anterior temporal scale) to the ventral surface of the neck; irregular black annular crossbands on the mid-body; 23-21-15 Dorsal Scales; 165 ventral Scales, and 46 subcaudal Scales. Gloydiusswildsp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the narrower postorbital stripe (only half the width of the anterior temporal scale, the lower edge is approximately straight and bordered with white); a pair of arched stripes on the occiput; lateral body lakes black spots; a pair of round spots on the parietal Scales; 21 rows of mid-body Dorsal Scales; zigzag dark brown stripes on the dorsum; 168-170 ventral Scales, and 43-46 subcaudal Scales. The molecular phylogeny in this study supports the sister relationship between G.lipipengisp. nov. and G.rubromaculatus, another recently described species from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, more than 500 km away, and indicate the basal position of G.himalayanus within the genus and relatively distant relationship to its congeners.
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A sheep in wolf's clothing: Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to Protobothrops jerdonii
'Pensoft Publishers', 2021Co-Authors: Jingsong Shi, Yi-fei Gao, Lee L. Grismer, Yingyong WangAbstract:Based on combined morphological and osteological characters and molecular phylogenetics, we describe a new species of the genus Elaphe that was discovered from the south slope of the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China, namely Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. It is distinguished from the other congeners by a combination of the following characters: Dorsal Scales in 21-21-17 rows, the medial 11 rows keeled; 202–204 ventral Scales, 67–68 subcaudals; two preoculars (including one subpreocular); two postoculars; two anterior temporals, three posterior temporals; reduced numbers of maxillary teeth (9+2) and dentary teeth (12); sharp cutting edges on the posterior or posterolateral surface of the rear maxillary teeth and dentary teeth; Dorsal head yellow, three distinct markings on the head and neck; a distinct black labial spot present in supralabials; dorsum yellow, 46–49 complete (or incomplete) large black-edged reddish brown blotches on the body and 12–19 on the tail, two rows of smaller blotches on each ventrolateral side; ventral Scales yellow with mottled irregular black blotches, a few irregular small red spots dispersed on the middle of the ventral. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, the new species forms the sister taxon to E. zoigeensis. The discovery of this new species increases the number of the recognized species in the genus Elaphe to 17
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A New Species of the Genus Trimeresurus from Southwest China (Squamata: Viperidae)
'American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP)', 2019Co-Authors: Zening Chen, Jingsong Shi, Liang Zhang, Yezhong Tang, Yuhong Guo, Zhaobin Song, Li DingAbstract:Species from the Trimeresurus popeiorum complex (Subgenus: Popeia) is a very complex group. T. popeiorum is the only Popeia species known from China. During the past two years, five adult Popeia specimens (4 males, 1 female) were collected from Yingjiang County, Southern Yunnan, China. Molecular, morphological and ecological data show distinct differences from known species, herein we describe these specimens as a new species Trimeresurus yingjiangensis sp. nov Chen, Ding, Shi and Zhang, 2018. Morphologically, the new species distinct from other Popeia species by a combination of following characters: (1) Dorsal body olive drab,without cross bands on the Scales; (2) a conspicuous bicolor ventrolateral stripe present on each side of males, first row of Dorsal Scales firebrick with a white ellipse dot on posterior upper part in male, these strips absent in females; (3) eyes firebrick in both gender; (4) suboculars separated from 3rd upper labial by one scale on each side; (5) ventrals 164–168 (n = 5); (6) MSR 21
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a new species of the gloydius strauchi complex crotalinae viperidae serpentes from qinghai sichuan and gansu china
Russian Journal of Herpetology, 2018Co-Authors: Jingsong Shi, Li Ding, Nikolai L. Orlov, Diancheng Yang, Wuyuan Zhang, Lifang Peng, Fan Jiang, Mian Hou, Xinlei Huang, Song HuangAbstract:The Hengduanshan Mountains have long been recognized as one of the evolutionary radiation centers of the genus Gloydius . Here we describe a new species of the Gloydius strauchi complex, Gloydius angusticeps sp. nov. Shi, Yang, Huang, Orlov et Li, 2018, which has been discovered in the adjacent areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu Province, at the elevation of 3150 – 3653 m near the Yellow River. The new species is different from congeneric species by the following characteristics: (i) long and narrow head; (ii) grayish brown body coloration (few variations); (iii) 4 to 6 rows of discrete dark brown spots (or Ч-shaped patterns on the back); (iv) a pair of round spots on the parietal Scales; (v) a pair of arched stripes on the occiput; (vi) up to 21 rows mid-body Dorsal Scales. This study preliminary clarified the distribution pattern of the Gloydius strauchi complex in Qinghai and Sichuan Province. The discovery of this new species verifies the importance of the Hengduanshan Mountains as a biodiversity hotspot.
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A new moth-preying alpine pit viper species from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Viperidae, Crotalinae). Supplementary Material
2017Co-Authors: Jingsong Shi, Yihao Fang, Li Ding, Song Huang, Gang Wang, Mian Hou, Xi’er Chen, Jun LiuAbstract:The Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of alpine mammals but a barren area in terms of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we describe a new pit viper species, Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Gloydius. The new species can be distinguished from the other congeneric species by the following characteristics: cardinal crossbands on the back, indistinct canthus rostralis, glossy Dorsal Scales, colubrid-like oval head shape, irregular small black spots on the head Scales, black eyes and high altitude distribution (3300-4770 m above sea level). The mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstruction supported the validity of the new species and furthermore reaffirms that G. intermedius changdaoensis, G. halys cognatus, G. h. caraganus and G. h. stejnegeri should be elevated as full species. Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sideridis sp.) in the wild. This unusual diet may be one of the key factors to the survival of this species in such a harsh alpine environment
