[Herpetology • 2024] A Redescription and Range Extension of Trimeresurus caudornatus Chen, Ding, Vogel & Shi, 2020 (Serpentes: Viperidae)

Trimeresurus caudornatus Chen, Ding, Vogel & Shi, 2020

 

in Nguyen, Idiiatullina, Oo, Lee, Poyarkov, David et Vogel, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5514.3.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/384363858

Photos by Fan Gao, Spark Thomas and Kyaw Zin Htet. 

 

Abstract

The pitviper species Trimeresurus caudornatus was recently described based on only two specimens from Nabang Town, Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. Here, we provide additional data on this species based on a re-examination of 19 preserved specimens, 16 specimens reported in earlier literature sources, and additional photo-documented records from northern Myanmar (Burma) and adjacent China. All new specimens were previously identified as Trimeresurus albolabris sensu lato or Trimeresurus septentrionalis sensu lato. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial DNA supported the morphological findings in establishing conspecificity with T. caudornatus. The newly identified specimens have a pairwise distance of only 0.4–2.6% from those of the type series of T. caudornatus (based on the cytochrome b gene). Based on these findings, we confirm the presence of T. caudornatus from Myanmar and update its diagnostic characters and distribution. We suggest the species should be considered as Least Concern (LC) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. Further studies reassessing the populations of the Trimeresurus albolabris complex are required.

Reptilia, morphology, Myanmar, new record, phylogeny, taxonomy, Trimeresurus albolabris, T. salazar

  Adult Trimeresurus caudornatus alive (all uncollected and sex unknown).
(A–C) from Chuxiong, Yunnan, China (digital image DTU 652);
(D) from Pingyuan, Yingjiang, Dehong, Yunnan, China (digital image DTU 651); (E) from Mandalay, Mandalay, Myanmar (digital image DTU 653).

Photos by: Fan Gao (A–C), Spark Thomas (D), and Kyaw Zin Htet (E)

Tan Van Nguyen, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Win Paing Oi, Justin L. Lee, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Patrick David and Gernot Vogel. 2024. A Redescription and Range Extension of Trimeresurus caudornatus Chen, Ding, Vogel & Shi, 2020 (Serpentes: Viperidae).  Zootaxa. 5514(3); 201-231. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5514.3.1

  Researchgate.net/publication/384363858_A_redescription_of_Trimeresurus_caudornatus

[Herpetology • 2024] Trimeresurus cyanolabris • A New Species of Green Pitviper of the Trimeresurus macrops complex (Serpentes: Viperidae) from South Central Coastal Region of Vietnam

 Trimeresurus cyanolabris 

 Idiiatullina, Nguyen, Bragin, Pawangkhanant, Le, Vogel, David & Poyarkov, 2024 

 ​ Rắn lục mép xanh dương  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.4.3

 

Abstract

We describe a new species of green pitviper from southern and central parts of coastal Vietnam based on morphological and molecular (2406 bp from cyt b, ND4, and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes) lines of evidence. Trimeresurus cyanolabris sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: small size, maximum known SVL of 638 mm; dorsal scales in 21 (rarely 23)–21–15 rows, moderately keeled except the outermost rows; ventral scales 166–178; subcaudal scales 52–75, all paired; hemipenis forked, calyculate, reaching the 8th subcaudal; eye bright yellow in both sexes; dorsal surface deep green lacking cross-bands; postocular white stripe missing in both sexes; ventrolateral stripe faintly present on the first few dorsal scale rows in males, absent in females; throat, chin, and lower labials in shades of blue. The new species forms a distinct clade on the phylogenetic tree of the genus Trimeresurus and differs from the morphologically similar T. rubeus by a significant divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 6.0%). The new species is currently known from low- to mid-elevations (ca. 90–400 m a.s.l.) in tropical forests of central-southern Vietnam. This discovery further underlines the importance of this area as a local center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemism, which is under great threat of deforestation.

Reptilia, Trimeresurus cyanolabris sp. nov., Vietnam, new species, morphology, molecular phylogeny, systematics

 ​ Rắn lục mép xanh dương

Trimeresurus​ cyanolabris​

Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Tan Van Nguyen, Andrey M. Bragin, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Dac Xuan Le, Gernot Vogel, Patrick David and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. A New Species of Green Pitviper of the Trimeresurus macrops complex (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) from South Central Coastal Region of Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5474(4); 375-411. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5474.4.3

  facebook.com/groups/siasr/permalink/793108726288384

  facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/441482432138465

[Herpetology • 2024] Ovophis jenkinsi • A New Mountain Pitviper of the Genus Ovophis (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Yunnan, China

Ovophis jenkinsi

Qiu, J.-Z. Wang, Xia, Jiang, Zeng, N. Wang, Li & Shi, 2024

Jenkins’ mountain pitviper | 盈江烙铁头蛇  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.119218

Abstract

Based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison, a new species of mountain pitviper, Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov., is described. The new species was collected in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. It can be distinguished from congeneric species by the following characters: (1) internasals in contact or separated by one small scale; (2) second supralabial entire and bordering the loreal pit; (3) dorsal scales in 23 (25)–21 (23, 25)–19 (17, 21) rows; (4) 134–142 ventrals; (5) 40–52 pairs of subcaudals; (6) third supralabial larger than fourth in all examined specimens of Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov.; (7) deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey markings on dorsal head surface; (8) background color of dorsal surface deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey; (9) both sides of dorsum display dark brown trapezoidal patches; (10) scattered small white spots on dorsal surface of tail.

Key words: Morphology, Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov., snake, taxonomy, Yingjiang County

Head of the holotype of Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov. (IOZ 002679) A lateral (right) view B lateral (left) view C dorsal view D ventral view.

Holotype of Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov. (IOZ 002679) in life.

 Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) internasals in contact or separated by one small scale; (2) second supralabial entire and bordering the loreal pit; (3) dorsal scales in 23 (25)–21 (23, 25)–19 (17, 21) rows; (4) 134–142 ventrals; (5) 40–52 pairs of subcaudals; (6) third supralabial larger than fourth in all examined specimens of Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov.; (7) deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey markings on dorsal head surface; (8) background color of dorsal surface deep orange-brown or dark brownish-grey; (9) both sides of dorsum display dark brown trapezoidal patches; (10) scattered small white spots on dorsal surface of tail.

Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species is dedicated to Robert “Hank” William Garfield Jenkins AM (August 1947–September 2023), a herpetologist and former chairman of the CITES Animals Committee from Australia, with a passion for snakes, especially pitvipers, and helped China, along with many Asian countries, complete snake census, conservation, and management projects. We suggest the common name “Jenkins’ mountain pitviper” in English and “yíng jiāng lào tiě tóu shé” (盈江烙铁头蛇) in Chinese.

Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov.  and its microhabitat. Photographed by Zhong-Wen Jiang in Yingjiang, Yunnan.
Head of the holotype of Ovophis jenkinsi sp. nov. (IOZ 002679) A lateral (right) view B lateral (left) view C dorsal view D ventral view.

 Xian-Chun Qiu, Jin-Ze Wang, Zu-Yao Xia, Zhong-Wen Jiang, Yan Zeng, Nan Wang, Pi-Peng Li and Jing-Song Shi. 2024. A New Mountain Pitviper of the Genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Yunnan, China.  ZooKeys. 1203: 173-187. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.119218

[Herpetology • 2021] Trimeresurus guoi • A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwestern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar

Trimeresurus guoi Chen, Shi, Vogel & Ding, 

in Chen, Shi, Gao, Vogel, Song, Li Ding et Dai, 2021.

滇南竹叶青  |  Guo’s green pit viper  ||  งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเหลืองตาแดง  ||  www.ahr-journal.com 

Researchgate.net/publication/351088504

 

Abstract:

The pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 is one of the largest groups of Asian snakes, distributed from India to China and Indonesia. Recent surveys in Jiangcheng and Simao, Yunnan Province, China resulted in a new species previously allocated to T. albolabris. Combining morphological and molecular data, we describe it as Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. The new species morphologically differs from T. albolabris in the yellow green ventral color; an indistinct ventrolateral line; the absence of a postocular stripe; the firebrick-red iris; a dark red stripe on dorsal tail; hemipenes with relatively weak sparse papillae, reaching 23rd subcaudal when unextruded. Molecularly, the new species forms a clearly divergent lineage (BPP 1.00/ UFB 100). Uncorrected pairwise distances of mitochondrial gene Cyt b between the new species and other known species of the subgenus Trimeresurus range from 0.052 (T. albolabris) to 0.071 (T. insularis).

Keywords: morphology;  phylogenetics;  taxonomy;  Trimeresurus

Comparison of coloration between Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. (Left) and T. albolabris (Right).
A and B: Different body pattern (yellow green vs. multicolor) in female;
C and D: Different ventrolateral line (absent vs. present) and postocular stripe (absent vs. present) in male;
E and F: Different ventral (yellow green vs. yellow).
Specimens of T. albolabris compared were colleted from Guanghzou, Guangdong Province, China.

Photographed by Shengchao SHI except B by Liang ZHANG.

Comparison in head scales and coloration between Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. and T. albolabris.
 Left, doral view of head; right, lateral view of head. A, B, female of T. guoi sp. nov.; C, D, female of T. albolaris;
E, F, male of T. guoi sp. nov.; G, H, male of T. albolaris.
A, C, E and G: Different head shape (more elongated skull in new species) in both genders; B and D: Different iris color (firebrick-red vs. copper) in female; F and H: Different iris color (firebrick-red vs. copper) and postocular stripe (absent vs. present) in male.
Specimens of T. albolabris compared were colleted from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Photographed by Shengchao SHI except D by Liang ZHANG.

Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. Chen, Shi, Vogel, and Ding

Diagnosis. (1) Dorsal body jungle-green with faint transverse dark bands on skin, ventral body yellow green. (2) Lateral head jungle-green above lower margin of eyes, and green yellow below, without postocular stripes. (3) Ventrolateral line of male yellow-green, narrow, only present on outermost row of dorsal scales. (4) Iris firebrick-red in both sexes. (5) First supralabial fused with nasal. (6) Head scales feebly keeled; dorsal scale row 23-21-15 (N = 10), feebly keeled except the outermost rows; ventral scale 154–163 in males (N = 6), 158–160 in females (N = 3); subcaudal scale 58–72 in males (N = 7), 52–59 in females (N = 3). (7) Hemipenes long, reaching 23rd/32nd subcaudals when unextruded/extruded, papillae relatively weak and sparse.

Etymology. The specific name is in honor of Dr. Peng Guo (Sichuan, China), the first researcher on the taxonomy and systematics of the genus Trimeresurus sensu lato through molecular analysis in China. We suggest the following common names as “Guo’s green pit viper” in English and “Diān Nán Zhú Yè Qīng (滇南竹叶青 )” in Chinese.

งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเหลืองตาแดง

Zening CHEN,  Shengchao SHI,  Jun GAO, Gernot VOGEL, Zhaobin SONG, Li DING and Rong DAI. 2021. A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwestern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. Asian Herpetological Research. 11(4); 1-11.  DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.200084

 www.ahr-journal.com/en/oa/darticle.aspx?type=view&id=AHR-2020-0084

Researchgate.net/publication/351088504_A_New_Species_of_Trimeresurus_from China_Vietnam_Thailand_and_Myanmar

[Herpetology • 2024] Trimeresurus lanna & T. tenasserimensis • An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Trimeresurus popeiorum group of Pitvipers (Serpentes: Viperidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species from the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

Trimeresurus lanna

 Idiiatullina, Nguyen, Pawangkhanant, Suwannapoom, Chanhome, Mirza, David, Vogel & Poyarkov, 2024

Lanna Green Pitviper  |  งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเขียวเหนือ  ||  DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e113347

Researchgate.net/publication/379568812

Abstract

Despite recent progress in our understanding of diversity within the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804, the subgenus Popeia Malhotra & Thorpe, 2004, distributed across most parts of East and Southeast Asia, remains taxonomically challenging. We applied an integrative taxonomic approach including analyses of morphological data and four mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA, cytochrome b, and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4), along with examination of available type material, to address longstanding taxonomic questions in one clade within Popeia, the T. popeiorum group, and reveal a high level of hidden diversity of these snakes in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. We confirm that T. popeiorum Smith, 1937 sensu stricto is restricted to Northeast India, eastern Nepal, southern Bhutan, southeastern Bangladesh, western Yunnan Province (China), and northern and southwestern Myanmar. We further confirm that the recently described species T. yingjiangensis Chen et al., 2019 is a junior synonym of T. popeiorum. In addition, we discovered that the combination Trimesurus [sic] elegans Gray, 1853 is a valid senior synonym of T. popeiorum and threatens the stability of the latter taxon. Therefore, in order to protect the nomen popeiorum and in accordance with Article 23.9 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, we regard the taxon Trimesurus elegans as a nomen oblitum and render Trimeresurus popeiorum a nomen protectum. Examination of a larger series of specimens allows us to describe two new cryptic species of Trimeresurus from the Indo-Burma Region. This study brings the total number of species in the subgenus Popeia to six and also suggests that the subspecific taxonomy of the T. sabahi complex requires further investigation. We urge adequate actions regarding the conservation of the newly discovered species and recommend further studies on their toxicology.

Keywords: Asia, Biodiversity, Crotalinae, ICZN, Indochina, molecular phylogeny, morphology, mtDNA, nomen protectum, nomenclature, Popeia, systematics

  

Trimeresurus popeiorum, T. nebularis, and T. phuketensis in life.
 – Trimeresurus popeiorum: A Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India (adult male); B Karimganj, Assam, India (adult female); C Aizawl, Mizoram, India (adult female); D Inn Gyin Taung Mt., Kachin, Myanmar (male); E Yingjiang, Yunnan, China (adult male);
T. nebularis: F, G Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia (adult male and adult female, respectively); 
T. phuketensis: H Phuket Is., Phuket, Thailand (adult male); I Sri Phang Nga NP, Phang Nga, Thailand (adult male).

Photos by: P. Ray (A), R. Gassah (B), G. Vogel (C, E-G), N. A. Poyarkov (D), R. Grassby-Lewis (H), and S. Plongnui (I)

Trimeresurus popeiorum Smith, 1937

   

Etymology: The species name is a patronym, in genitive plural, created in honour of Clifford H. Pope (1899–1974) and his wife Sarah H. Pope (1901–1995); see below for a discussion of the correct spelling. We recommend the following common names for this species: “Pō pǔ zhú yè qīng” (坡普竹叶青) (in Chinese), “Pope’s green pitviper” (in English), “Ngu Khiew Hang Mai Thong Khiew Assam” (งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเขียวอัสสัม) (in Thai), “Trimérésure vert des Pope” (in French), “Popes Bambusotter” (in German), and “Bambukovaya kufiya Poupov” (in Russian).

Trimeresurus lanna sp. nov. in life.
Thailand: A Doi Inthanon NP, Chiangmai (mating adult couple); B, C Doi Phu Kha NP, Nan, Thailand; D Doi Suthep-Pui NP., Chiangmai (subadult female); E Doi Luang Mt., Chiang Rai (adult male); F Umphang, Tak (adult male).
Laos: G, H Phongsaly (adult male and female, respectively).
China: I Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China (adult male).

 Photos by: P. Pawangkhanant (A, D), T. Smith (B, E, F), R. Jaihan (C), T. Calame (G), P. Brakels (H), and J. Ming (I).

Trimeresurus lanna sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Trimeresurus lanna differs from other members of the subgenus Popeia by the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) dorsal surfaces deep green, without crossbands; (2) in males, a vivid, wide, bicolored ventrolateral stripe, bright and deep red below, white above; in females, ventrolateral stripe thin, pale yellow anteriorly, whitish posteriorly; (3) in males, a conspicuous, bicolored postocular streak, white and thin ventrally, broad and bright red dorsally, covering two or three temporal scales; in females, streak absent or only white; (4) eyes red to deep red in both males and females; (5) 21 (93.3%) or rarely 20 (6.7%) dorsal scales rows at midbody, strongly keeled except those of the first dorsal scale row, always smooth; (6) 145–167 ventral plates (145–167 in males; 157–166 in females); 56–75 paired subcaudal scales with weak sexual dimorphism (59–75 in males, 56–64 in females); (7) first supralabial entirely separated from the nasal scale by a distinct suture; (8) supraoculars relatively narrow, narrower than internasals, separated by 10–13 cephalic scales; (9) internasals never in contact, separated by one or two scales; (10) hemipenes long and forked, reaching at least 25th SC, without spines; (11) 9–14 cephalic scales between the supraoculars in males, 11–13 in females; (12) relative tail length 0.18–0.21 in males, 0.16–0.17 in females.

Etymology: The new species name “lanna” represents a noun in apposition and is given in reference to the Lan Na Kingdom, or “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”. The Kingdom of Lan Na, also known as Lannathai, was centered in present-day northern Thailand from the 13th–18th centuries. The territories and cultural influence of the Lan Na Kingdom spread from easternmost Myanmar to northern Laos and southernmost present-day Yunnan of China, a geographic area that matches well the range of the new species. Though eventually the Lan Na Kingdom was united with the Siamese State in the early 19th century, its culture had a profound influence on different parts of northern Indochina. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Ngu Khiew Hang Mai Thong Khiew Nua” (งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเขียวเหนือ) (in Thai), “Lán nà zhú yè qīng” (蘭納竹叶青) (in Chinese), “Lanna Green Pitviper” (in English), “Trimérésure vert du Lanna” (in French), “Lanna Bambusotter” (in German), and “Chiangmaiskaya bambukovaya kufiya” (in Russian).

Trimeresurus tenasserimensis sp. nov. in life.
Thailand: A–D Khao Kra Jom Mt, Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi, adult male (A, B), adult female (C), and subadult female (D), respectively; E Khao Laem Mt., Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi (subadult male); F–G Kaeng Krachan NP., Phetchaburi (adult male and adult female, respectively); H Namtok Huai Yang NP, Prachuap Khiri Khan (adult female).
Myanmar: I Lampi Marine NP., Mergui, Tanintharyi (adult male).

Photos by: P. Pawangkhanant (A–E), R. Jaihan (F), A. Tomaszek (G), T. Smith (H), and P. Brakels (I).

Trimeresurus tenasserimensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Trimeresurus tenasserimensis differs from other members of the subgenus Popeia by the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) dorsal surfaces deep green, with faint dark, interstitial crossbands; (2) in males, a wide, bicolored ventrolateral stripe, bright red ventrally, white dorsally; in females, ventrolateral stripe thin, pale yellow anteriorly, whitish posteriorly; (3) in males, a conspicuous, bicolored postocular streak, white and thin ventrally, broad and bright red dorsally, covering two or three temporal scales; in females, streak absent or only white; (4) eyes red to deep red in both males and females; (5) 21 dorsal scales rows at midbody, strongly keeled except those of the first dorsal scale row, always smooth; (6) 159–176 ventrals (159–170 in males, 154–176 in females); 57–74 subcaudals with slightly overlapping sexual dimorphism (66–74 in males, 57–66 in females), all paired; (7) first supralabial entirely separated from the nasal scale by a distinct suture; (8) supraoculars relatively narrow, narrower than internasals, separated by 9–11 cephalic scales; (9) internasals not in contact, separated by one scale; (10) 10–11 cephalic scales between the supraoculars in both sexes; (11) relative tail length 0.20–0.23 in males, 0.14–0.16 in females.

Etymology: The species name “tenasserimensis” is a modern Latin toponymical adjective in nominative singular, adopting the masculine gender of the genus name Trimeresurus, combining the name of the Tenasserim Mountain Range in western Thailand and southeastern Myanmar, where the new species occurs, and the Latin suffix -ensis (-is, -e), meaning “from”. The species nomen therefore means “from Tenasserim”. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Ngu Khiew Hang Mai Thong Khiew Tanao Sri” (งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเขียวตะนาวศรี) (in Thai), “Dān nà shā lín zhú yè qīng” (丹那沙林竹叶青) (in Chinese), “Tenasserim green pitviper” (in English), “Tenasserim Bambusotter” (in German), “Trimérésure vert du Tenasserim” (In French) and “Tenasserimskaya bambukovaya kufiya” (in Russian).

 Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Tan Van Nguyen, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Lawan Chanhome, Zeeshan A. Mirza, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Trimeresurus popeiorum group of Pitvipers (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species from the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Vertebrate Zoology. 74: 303-342. DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e113347

Researchgate.net/publication/379568812_An_integrative_taxonomic_revision_of_the_Trimeresurus_popeiorum_group_from_the_Indo-Burma_Biodiversity_Hotspot

[Herpetology • 2024] Trimeresurus kraensis • A New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand

Trimeresurus kraensis

Idiiatullina, Pawangkhanant, Suwannapoom, Tawan, Chanhome, Nguyen, David, Vogel & Poyarkov, 2024

งูหางแฮ่มชุมพร | Kra Isthmus Pitviper || DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.930.2489 

 facebook.com: R I M 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of karst-dwelling pitviper from Chumphon Province of Peninsular Thailand, in the Isthmus of Kra, based on morphological and molecular data (2427 bp from cyt b, ND4 and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes). Morphologically, Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: a dark/bottle-green dorsum with reddish-brown or purple crossbands; pale green venter lacking dark dots; stripes present on the lateral sides of the ventrals; internasals generally in contact; one large supraocular scale on each side of the head; iris pale copper; tail brown with dark purplish-brown crossbars; dorsal scales in 21–21–15 rows; ventral scales 167 in a single male, 169–171 in females; subcaudal scales 62 in a single male, 52–54 in females, all paired. White vertebral spots present in males, located on approximately every two or four dorsal scales; dark brown spots forming discontinuous pattern present on 1–3 lateral dorsal scale rows; males with reddish-brown postocular stripe with jagged edges. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species Trimeresurus venustus s. str. by a notable divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 5.9%).

Keywords: Crotalinae, Trimeresurus kanburiensis complex, Peninsular Thailand, karst, taxonomy

Class Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Order Squamata Oppel, 1811

Suborder Serpentes Linnaeus, 1758

Family Viperidae Oppel, 1811

Subfamily Crotalinae Oppel, 1811

Genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804

Comparison of body colouration between members of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis species complex (males). 
A. Trimeresurus ciliaris Idiiatullina  et  al.,  2023  from  Trang  Province,  Thailand.  B. T.    kanburiensis  Smith,  1943  from  Kanchanaburi  Province,  Thailand. 
C. Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. from Chumphon Province, Thailand. D. T. cf. venustus Vogel, 1991 from Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Malaysia.
E. T. kuiburi Sumontha et al., 2021 from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. F. T. venustus from Krabi Province, Thailand.

Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant (A–C, F), T. Chalton (D), and T. Woranuch (E).

Comparison of head colouration (left profile and dorsal view of the head) between members of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis species complex (males).
A–B. Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.  C–D. T. ciliaris Idiiatullina et   al., 2023. E–F. T. kanburiensis Smith, 1943. G–H. T.   kuiburi Sumontha et   al., 2021. I–J. T.  venustus  Vogel,  1991. 

 Photographs  by  P.  Pawangkhanant  (A–F),  A.  Kaosung  (G–H,  J)  and  M. Naiduangchan (I).

The holotype of Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. in life (AUP-02036, adult female) from Wat Tham Sanook, Chumphon Province, Thailand.
A.  Dorsolateral view. B.  Ventrolateral view. C.  Close-up of dorsal scales. D. Left side of the head. E. Dorsal view of the head. F.  Ventral view of the head.

Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant.

Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the subgenus Trimeresurus based on the following morphological attributes: a long papillose hemipenis and partially fused first supralabial and nasal scales (Malhotra & Thorpe 2004a; Idiiatullina et al. 2023). The new species Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Trimeresurus by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) a dark olive-green or bottle green dorsum; (2) dorsal pattern consisting of about 60 reddish-brown or purple blotches, transversally elongate but not reaching the lower part of the flanks, two or three series of dark brown spots forming a discontinuous pattern on the 1st to 3rd dorsal scale rows and white vertebral spots present in males, located approximately on every two or four dorsal scales; (3) venter creamish-green with some dark brown spots; (4) tips of the ventral plates both cream and dark brown, forming a discontinuous, alternating pale and dark, ventrolateral stripe; (5) males with a reddish-brown postocular stripe; (6) internasals generally in contact behind the posteror tip of the rostral; (7) single large supraocular scale; (8) iris pale copper, (9) tail brown with dark purplish-brown crossbars; (10) dorsal scales in 21–21–15 rows; (11) ventral scales 167 in a single male, 169–171 in females; (12) subcaudal scales 62 in a single male, 52–54 in females, all paired.

Etymology: The species name is the modern Latin adjective ʻkraensisʼ in the nominative singular, masculine gender, combining the noun ʻKraʼ, from the name of the Kra Isthmus in Peninsular Thailand where the type locality of the species is located, and the Latin suffix ʻ-ensisʼ (-is, -e),meaning ʻfromʼ. The species name therefore means, ʻfrom Kraʼ. We suggest the following common names for the new species: งูหางแฮ่มชุมพร (Ngu Hang Ham Chumphorn) (in Thai), and Kra Isthmus Pitviper (English).

Habitat of Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.  A. Macrohabitat of the new species near the Wat Tham Sanook, Chumphon Province, Thailand.
B. Photos in life in situ, adult male (uncollected). C. Subadult female (paratype, ZMMU Re-17665).

Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant (A), Rupert Grassby-Lewis (B), and N.A. Poyarkov (C).

Sabira S. Idiiatullina; Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Tanapong Tawan, Lawan Chanhome, Tan Van Nguyen, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Another New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper (Serpentes, Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand. European Journal of Taxonomy. 930(1), 20–52. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.930.2489

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[Herpetology • 2023] Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis • A New Species of Pit-viper (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions in Myanmar

Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis 

Chan, Anuar, Sankar, I.T. Law, I.S. Law, Shivaram, Christian, Mulcahy & Malhotra, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1186.110422

Abstract

In a genomic study by Chan and colleagues, pit-vipers of the Trimeresurus erythrurus–purpureomaculatus complex from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions in Myanmar were demonstrated to be a distinct species based on robust population genetic and species delimitation analyses. Here, we provide morphological characterizations and a formal description of those populations as a new species. The new species, Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov., is most closely related to T. erythrurus and T. purpureomaculatus and shares morphological characteristics with both of those species. Some specimens of T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. have green dorsal coloration and no distinct dorsal blotches (a trait shared with T. erythrurus but not T. purpureomaculatus), while others have dark dorsal blotches (a trait shared with T. purpureomaculatus but not T. erythrurus). The distinct evolutionary trajectory of the new species, coupled with the lack of obvious morphological differentiation, represents a classic example of the cryptic nature of species commonly found in the Trimeresurus group of Asian pit-vipers and underscores the need for data-rich analyses to verify species’ boundaries more broadly within this genus.

Key words: Cryptic species complex, mangrove pit-viper, morphology, snake, systematics, taxonomy

Photographs of an unvouchered, live specimen of Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. from the Yangon Region, Myanmar   

(Photos by Wolfgang Wüster).

Trimeresurus species in Myanmar
 A Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 213410) from Hlawga Wildlife Park, Yangon Region (photo by CAS-Myanmar Herpetology Survey team, CAS-MHS) B T. erythrurus (CAS 235958) from Phalum District, Chin State (photo by Hla tun)
C T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 219764) from Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Pyapon District, Ayeyarwady Region (photo by Hla tun) D T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 212245) from Mwe Hauk Village, Ayeyarwady Region (photo by Dong Lin).

 Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov.

  Vernacular name: Ayeyarwady pit viper

 

Diagnosis: Trimeresurus can be distinguished from all other Asian pit-vipers by the condition of the first infralabial and nasal scale, which are at least partially fused. The new species can be diagnosed from other species of Trimeresurus by the following combination of characters: in both sexes (n = 19), 23–25 dorsal mid-body scale rows (mean 24.3 ± 0.97), 17 scale rows just anterior to vent (rarely 15 or 16) and body scales distinctly and sharply keeled; in males (n = 8), 150–170 ventral scales (mean 160.6 ± 5.6), 71–76 subcaudal scales (mean 73 ± 1.8); a minimum of 9–11 scales between supraoculars (mean 9.9 ± 0.6); between 5–9 scales touching the subocular scale (not counting pre- and post-oculars; mean 6.9 ± 0.9); supralabials 9–12 (mean 10.4 ± 0.8). In females (n = 11), 157–174 ventral scales (mean 165.1 ± 4.9), 52–58 subcaudal scales (mean 55 ± 2.1); a minimum of 10–12 scales between supraoculars (mean 10.8 ± 0.9); between 5–8 scales touching the subocular scale (not counting pre- and post-oculars; mean 6.5 ± 0.8); supralabials 10–12 (mean 10.9 ± 0.6).

Distribution: Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. occurs at Hlawga Park in the Yangon Region and Pyapon and Myaungmya districts in the Ayeyarwady Region. The northern and western limits of its distribution likely lie somewhere in between the Myaugmya and Pathein districts in the Ayeyarwady Region. Southward, it could occur in mangroves in Mon State.

Natural history: In the Pyapon and Myaungmya districts in the Ayeyarwady Region, snakes were found in mangrove forests, whereas at Hlawga Park in the Yangon Region, snakes were found in forested habitats around a lake that is not connected to any mangrove system. In that regard, T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. is more similar to T. erythrurus as opposed to T. purpureomaculatus, which is a strict mangrove-associated species.

Etymology: The specific epithet “ayeyarwadyensis” refers to the Ayeyarwady River (= Irrawaddy River), which is the largest and one of the most important rivers in Myanmar. The river forms an expansive delta that is bounded by the Pathein River to the west and the Yangon River to the east. These rivers and their associated basins also mark the westernmost and easternmost distribution boundaries of T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov.

 

 Kin Onn Chan, Shahrul Anuar, Ananthanarayanan Sankar, Ingg Thong Law, Ing Sind Law, Rasu Shivaram, Ching Christian, Daniel G. Mulcahy and Anita Malhotra. 2023. A New Species of Pit-viper from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions in Myanmar (Viperidae, Trimeresurus). ZooKeys. 1186: 221-234. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1186.110422

[Herpetology • 2023] Trimeresurus uetzi • A New Green Pitviper of the Trimeresurus albolabris complex (Serpentes: Viperidae) from central and southern Myanmar

 Trimeresurus uetzi 

Vogel, Nguyen & David, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5357.4.3 

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 Researchgate.net/publication/374845309 

Photos by Hla Tun (CAS-NWCD), Myo Mint Oo, D. Thirainda, L. L. Grismer, May Thu Chit

Abstract

In the frame of our investigations on the systematics of the complex of species of Trimeresurus albolabris, we came across specimens from Myanmar variously referred to as Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 or T. septentrionalis Kramer, 1977 in the literature. We describe a new species of green pitviper of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 from central and southern Myanmar based on molecular analyses drawn from previously published phylogenies and new morphological data. This new species, Trimeresurus uetzi sp. nov., is broadly similar to both Trimeresurus albolabris and T. septentrionalis, but it differs from these latter species by a series of morphological characters such as presence of white pre- and postocular streaks in male, iris copper in male or green gold in female, more ventral plates, and a much shorter hemipenis. We compare this new species with Trimeresurus albolabris as currently defined and other species of this complex. We also emphasize the need for additional integrated studies on Trimeresurus albolabris sensu lato populations distributed in southern Indochina and Sundaland.

Keywords: Reptilia, Crotalinae, new species, morphology, Indo-Burma region, Trimeresurus septentrionalis

 Trimeresurus uetzi sp. nov. in preservative, specimen CAS 243024, Holotype, male.
 A. General dorsal view. – B. General ventral view. – C. Lateral view of the head, right side. – D. Lateral view of the head, left side. – E. Dorsal view of the head. – F. Ventral view of the head. – G. Ventral view of the tail with the everted hemipenes. – H. Dorsal view of the base of the tail.

Photos by G. Vogel.

 Trimeresurus uetzi sp. nov., in life.
A. Myanmar (no specific locality). – B. Yesagyo, Magway Region, Myanmar. – C & D. Popa Mountain, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. – E & F. Kandaw, Myingchan, Mandalay Region, Myanmar.

Photos by A: Hla Tun (CAS-NWCD), B: Myo Mint Oo, and C: Drthakuna Thirainda, D: Larry Lee Grismer, E & F: May Thu Chit.

 Lateral view of the head, right & left side, respectively of the  Trimeresurus uetzi sp. nov. in preservative:
 A. Specimen CAS 232480 (paratype, male); B. Specimen CAS 243055 (paratype, male); C. Specimen CAS 242723 (male); D. Specimen CAS 210109 (paratype, female); E. Specimen CAS 215472 (paratype, female); F. Specimen CAS 215540 (paratype, female).

Photos by G. Vogel.

Gernot Vogel, Tan Van Nguyen, Patrick David. 2023. A New Green Pitviper of the Trimeresurus albolabris complex (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae) from central and southern Myanmar. Zootaxa. 5357(4); 515-554. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5357.4.3

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Researchgate.net/publication/374845309_A_new_green_pitviper_of_the_Trimeresurus_albolabris_complex_from_Myanmar