[Herpetology • 2024] Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis • Taxonomic Revision of Achalinus ningshanensis (Serpentes: Xenodermidae), with Description of a New Subspecies from Western China

Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis 

Xu, Ma, Cai, Yang, Zhang,Gu, Zhu, Huang & Peng, 2024 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425 

 

Simple Summary: The odd-scaled snake genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 is widely distributed in northern Vietnam, China, and Japan, but is a group of snakes about which there is meager information. Achalinu ningshanensis was first described in 2022 and is only known from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China. However, we detected a clear contradiction in the phylogenetic position between the type series and our newly collected topotypes. To solve this, we combined a mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons to revise the taxonomic status of A. ningshanensis in this study. Based on four mitochondrial combined gene fragments, molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that A. ningshanensis is nested within a highly supported monophyletic group, forming a sister taxon to A. spinalis, which also revealed two well-supported lineages of A. ningshanensis. Based on morphology and phylogenetic methods, the lineage composed of the population from western Sichuan and southwestern Shaanxi represents a new subspecies, Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov., and the other lineage represents the original species from southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan, which we allocated as Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. Finally, we provide a further discussion of the phylogenetic and taxonomic issues among the genus Achalinus.

Abstract

Achalinu ningshanensis (Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink, and Huang, 2022) was first described in Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China in 2022, based on seven female specimens. In this study, based on phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), cytochrome b (cyt b) gene fragments, and morphological examinations of specimens, we revise the taxonomic status of A. ningshanensis, and provide additional data on this species. The molecular phylogeny indicated that A. ningshanensis is nested in a highly supported monophyletic group, forming a sister taxon to A. spinalis, and is divided into two well-supported lineages, A and B, with an uncorrected p-distance between lineages from 3.6 to 4.3% for CO1. Therefore, we proposed that Lineage B from western Sichuan and southwestern Shaanxi is a new subspecies, Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov., and Lineage A from southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan is allocated as Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. Morphologically, the new subspecies can be distinguished from its congeners, especially from Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis, by the following characteristics: (1) the tail is relatively short, with a TAL/TL ratio of 0.202–0.226 in males, and 0.155–0.178 in females; (2) there are two pairs of chin-shields; (3) there are 21–22 maxillary teeth; (4) the length of the suture between internasals is significantly shorter than that between prefrontals, with an LSBI/LSBP ratio of 0.502–0.773; (5) there are six supralabials, with the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (6) there are five to six infralabials, and the first to third or fourth touches the first pair of chin-shields; (7) there is one hexagonal loreal, with an LorH/LorL ratio of 0.612–1.040; (8) the two anterior temporals are in contact with the eye; (9) there are 155–160 ventrals in males, and 165–174 in females; (10) there are 60–65 subcaudals in males, and 49–53 in females, which are not paired; and (11) the dorsum is iridescent and uniformly charcoal black, lacks a longitudinal vertebral line, and has a dark brown or dark gray ventral area.

Keywords: Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov.; Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis; mitochondrial DNA; morphological characters; taxonomy; molecular phylogeny

 Preserved specimen of the holotype of Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis (ANU 20220001, female).

Photos by Diancheng Yang and Yuhao Xu. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of living Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. (A1,B1): QHU 2024017, male, from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province; (A2,B2): QHU 2023009, female, from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province.

Photos by Yuhao Xu. Scale bars are not shown. 

Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink and Huang, 2022

Ningshan odd-scaled Snake

Níng Shǎn Jǐ Shé Zhǐ Míng Yà Zhǒng (宁陕脊蛇指名亚种)

  Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov. in life.
(A1,B1): QHU 2023013, holotype, adult female, from Longquanyi District, Sichuan Province;
(A2,B2): QHU 2023014, paratype, adult male, from Longquanyi District, Sichuan Province;
(A3,B3): QHU 2024016, paratype, adult male, from Hongya County, Sichuan Province.

Photos by Yuhao Xu.

 Yuhao Xu, Shun Ma, Bo Cai, Diancheng Yang, Tianyou Zhang,Tianxuan Gu,Fengcheng Zhu,Song Huang and Lifang Peng. 2024. Taxonomic Revision of Ningshan Odd-Scaled Snake, Achalinus ningshanensis (Serpentes, Xenodermidae), with Description of a New Subspecies from Western China. Animals. 14(23); 3425. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425 

Yang, D.C.; Huang, R.Y.; Jiang, K.; Burbrink, F.T.; Gong, Y.A.; Yu, J.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, T.Q.; Huang, S. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China. Zootaxa.5190(1); 127–140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.1.5

[Herpetology • 2022] Achalinus ningshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China

 

Achalinus ningshanensis  Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink & Huang, 

in Yang, R.Y. Huang, Jiang, Burbrink, Gong, Yu, Zhang, T.Q. Huang et S. Huang, 2022.

Ningshan odd-scaled Snake | 宁陕脊蛇指名亚种  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.1.5

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425

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.

Reptilia, Achalinus ningshanensis sp. nov., Ningshan County, morphology, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy

 Preserved specimen of the holotype of Achalinus ningshanensis (ANU 20220001, female).

Photos by Diancheng Yang and Yuhao Xu. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of living Achalinus ningshanensis.
 (A1,B1): QHU 2024017, male, from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province;
(A2,B2): QHU 2023009, female, from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province.

Photos by Yuhao Xu. Scale bars are not shown. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425

Achalinus ningshanensis Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink and Huang, 2022

Ningshan odd-scaled Snake 

 Níng Shǎn Jǐ Shé Zhǐ Míng Yà Zhǒng (宁陕脊蛇指名亚种)

 

Yang, D.C.; Huang, R.Y.; Jiang, K.; Burbrink, F.T.; Gong, Y.A.; Yu, J.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, T.Q.; Huang, S. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China. Zootaxa.5190(1); 127–140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.1.5

 Yuhao Xu, Shun Ma, Bo Cai, Diancheng Yang, Tianyou Zhang,Tianxuan Gu,Fengcheng Zhu,Song Huang and Lifang Peng. 2024. Taxonomic Revision of Ningshan Odd-Scaled Snake, Achalinus ningshanensis (Serpentes, Xenodermidae), with Description of a New Subspecies from Western China. Animals. 14(23); 3425. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425

[Herpetology • 2024] Achalinus nanshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from southwest Hunan Province, China

Achalinus nanshanensis H. Li, L.-Q. Zhu, Z.-Q. Zhang & X.-Y. Mo,

in Li, Zhu, Xiao, Huang, Wu, Yang, Zhang et Mo, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1189.112784

Abstract

A new species of xenodermid snake, Achalinus nanshanensis H. Li, L.-Q. Zhu, Z.-Q. Zhang & X.-Y. Mo, sp. nov., is described based on three specimens collected from Nanshan National Park and Tongdao County of southwest Hunan Province. This new species is genetically distinct amongst its congeners with the mitochondrial COI uncorrected p-distance ranging from 4.4% (in A. yangdatongi) to 17.7% (in A. meiguensis). In addition, this new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) dorsal scales with 23 or 25 rows throughout and strongly keeled; (2) tail relatively longer so that TaL/ToL = 0.215–0.248; (3) length of suture between internasals significantly longer than that between prefrontals, LSBI/LSBP = 1.66–1.84; (4) single loreal scale present; (5) SPL 6 in number, with the fourth and fifth contacting eye; (6) IFL 6 in number, with the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (7) TMP is 2-2-4/2-2(3)-4, with the anterior pair elongated and in contact with the eye; (8) ventrals 2 + 147–158; (9) subcaudals 64–77, unpaired; (10) dorsal body brownish black, with a bright yellow neck collar extending to the head and abdomen in the occipital region. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 28, of which 21 are found in China.

Key words: Achalinus nanshanensis sp. nov., molecular analyses, morphology, taxonomy

The view of Achalinus nanshanensis sp. nov.
A HNNU230903 (holotype) B HNNU230902 (paratype) C HNNU230901 (paratype), remaining photos by Le-Qiang Zhu.

General view of Achalinus nanshanensis sp. nov. (HNNU230902) in life.

Photo by Le-Qiang Zhu.

 Achalinus nanshanensis H. Li, L.-Q. Zhu, Z.-Q. Zhang & X.-Y. Mo, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from other members of Achalinus by the following characteristics: (1) dorsal scales with 23 or 25 rows throughout and strongly keeled; (2) tail relatively longer so that TaL/ToL = 0.215–0.248; (3) length of suture between internasals significantly longer than that between prefrontals, LSBI/LSBP = 1.66–1.84; (4) single loreal scale present; (5) SPL 6 in number, with the fourth and fifth contacting eye; (6) IFL 6 in number, with the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (7) TMP is 2-2-4/2-2(3)-4, with the anterior pair elongated and in contact with the eye; (8) ventrals 2 + 147–158; (9) subcaudals 64–77, unpaired; (10) dorsal body brownish black with a bright-yellow neck collar extending to the head and abdomen in the occipital region.

Etymology: The new species is named for on its type locality [Nanshan National Park]. We suggest the Chinese common name 南山脊蛇 (pin yin: Nán Shān Jǐ Shé) and the English common name Nanshan odd-scaled snake.

  

 Hui Li, Le-Qiang Zhu, Bei Xiao, Jie Huang, Shao-Wu Wu, Li-Xun Yang, Zhi-Qiang Zhang and Xiao-Yang Mo. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Squamata, Xenodermidae) from southwest Hunan Province, China. ZooKeys. 1189: 257-273. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1189.112784

[Herpetology • 2023] Achalinus sheni • A New cryptic Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) Species from Hunan Province, China

  

Achalinus sheni

Ma, Xu, Qi, Wang, Tang, Huang & Jiang, 2023

Shen’s Odd-scale Snake  |  沈氏脊蛇  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109462

 Photo by Yu-Hao Xu.

Abstract

A new species, Achalinus sheni sp. nov., from central Hunan Province is described, based on the results of molecular systematics and morphological characters according to five specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial CO1 gene fragment revealed that this new species is most closely related to A. yunkaiensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance ranging from 5.8% to 6.4%) and much distinct genetic divergence exists compared with other known Achalinus species (p-distance ranging from 10.4% to 15.8%), supporting its validity. Morphologically, it can be distinguished from its congeners by: (1) dorsal scales strongly keeled, 23 rows throughout the body, the outmost row smooth and significantly enlarged; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.183 ~ 0.224; (3) the suture between internasals subequal to the suture between prefrontals; (4) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.53 ~ 0.57; (5) ventrals 161–170, anal entire, subcaudals 55–61, not paired; (6) the length of supraocular equal to or longer than the length of upper anterior temporal; and (7) vertebral line inconspicuous and subcaudal streak absent. Currently, 27 species of Achalinus are known in the world, amongst which 20 species are distributed in China. Moreover, a key to species of the genus Achalinus is provided in this study.

Key words: Identification key, molecular systematics, morphological characters, snake, taxonomy

Achalinus sheni
Paratype (ANU20230013, adult male) in life.

 Photo by Yu-Hao Xu.

 

 Achalinus sheni sp. nov.

Diagnosis: (1) dorsal scales strongly keeled, 23 rows throughout the body, the outmost row smooth and significantly enlarged ; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.183 ~ 0.224; (3) the suture between internasals subequal to the suture between prefrontals; (4) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.53 ~ 0.57; (5) ventrals 161–170, anal entire, subcaudals 55–61, not paired; (6) the length of supraocular equal to or longer than the length of upper anterior temporal; (7) vertebral line inconspicuous and subcaudal streak absent.

Etymology: The species name “sheni” is named for the memories of the Chinese herpetologist, Prof. You-Hui Shen (沈猷慧), who worked in Hunan Normal University and made great contributions to the herpetological research of China, particularly in Hunan Province where the new species is found. We suggest “Shen’s Odd-scale Snake” or “Shen’s Burrowing Snake” as its English name and “沈氏脊蛇” (Shěn Shì Jǐ Shé) as its Chinese name.

 

Shun Ma, Yu-Hao Xu, Shuo Qi, Ying-Yong Wang, Shan-Shan Tang, Song Huang and Jian-Ping Jiang. 2023. Discovery of A New cryptic Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) Species from Hunan Province, China. ZooKeys. 1181: 9-27. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.109462

[Herpetology • 2019] Achalinus yunkaiensis • A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from southwestern Guangdong Province, China

Achalinus yunkaiensis  J. Wang, Y. Li & Y.Y. Wang, 

in Wang, Li, Zeng, Lyu, Sung, Li, Lin et Wang, 2019. 

Yunkai Mountain’s Odd-scaled Snake | 云开脊蛇  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4674.4.6 

 HeiSYH.weebly.com

Abstract

A new species of xenodermatid snake, Achalinus yunkaiensis J. Wang, Y. Li & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov. was described based on a series of specimens collected from Dawuling Forestry Station located in the Yunkai Mountains of western Guangdong Province. It can be distinguished from known congeners by a significant genetic divergence at the mitochondrial CO1 gene fragment examined (p-distance ≥ 12.0%) and the following combination of characters: (1) dorsal scales strongly keeled, in 23 rows throughout the body, the most outer row on each side smooth and significantly enlarged; (2) tail relatively shorter, TaL/TL ratio 18.5–20.0%; (3) maxillary teeth 20–22; (4) length of suture between internasals subequal to that between the prefrontals; (5) nasal divided into two sections by nasal cleft, posterior one half as long as anterior; (6) loreal elongated, nearly twice as wide as high; (7) supralabials six; (8) infralabials six; (9) temporals 2+2+3 (rarely 2+2+4), the two anterior temporals in contact with eye; (10) ventrals 151–162, subcaudals 49–56 arranged in single row, not paired; (11) cloacal entire; (12) uniform brown (in adults) or black (in juveniles) above, tinged weakly iridescent, with a longitudinal dark-colored vertebral line; (13) light brown (in adults) or greyish white (in juveniles) beneath; and (14) dorsum with a longitudinal dark brown vertebral stripe from posterior margin of parietals to tail tip. Currently, 13 species are known in the genus Achalinus, with seven from mainland China.

Keywords: Reptilia, Achalinus yunkaiensis sp. nov., China, morphology, molecular analyses, taxonomy

Achalinus yunkaiensis sp. nov.
 General aspect in life of the adult male holotype, SYS r001903.

Achalinus yunkaiensis J. Wang, Y. Li & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet, yunkaiensis, is in reference to the type locality, Dawuling Forestry Station and adjacent Xianrendong Scenic Area in Guangdong Province, China located in the Yunkai Mountains. For the common name, we suggest “Yunkai Mountain’s Odd-scaled Snake” or “Yunkai Mountain’s Burrowing Snake”, and Chinese name “Yun Kai Ji She (云开脊蛇)”.

Coloration and head scalation differences among: 
A. adult Achalinus yunkaiensis sp. nov., SYS r001443; B. juvenile A. yunkaiensis sp. nov., SYS r001503;
C. A. rufescens, SYS r001689 from Shimentai Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province;
D. A. spinalis, SYS r001327 from Mt. Badagong, Sangzhi, Hunan Province.

Jian Wang, Yao Li, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Zhi-Tong Lyu, Yik-Hei Sung, You-Yu Li, Chao-Yu Lin, Ying-Yong Wang. 2019. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus from southwestern Guangdong Province, China (Squamata: Xenodermatidae). Zootaxa. 4674(4); 471–481. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4674.4.6

  HeiSYH.weebly.com/publications.html

Researchgate.net/publication/336075498_A_new_species_of_Achalinus_from_Guangdong_China

https://heisyh.weebly.com/uploads/4/1/6/5/41654299/wang_et_al_2019_-_od_achalinus.pdf

[Herpetology • 2023] Achalinus hunanensis • A New Species of Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from Hunan Province, China

Achalinus hunanensis 

Ma, Shi, Xiang, Shu & Jiang, 2023

湖南脊蛇 | Hunan Odd-scale Snake | Hunan Burrowing Snake || DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.103055

Photographs by Sheng-Chao Shi.

Abstract

A new species, Achalinus hunanensis sp. nov., is described from middle and western Hunan Province based on the results of molecular systematics and morphological characters. It diverges from known congeners by a significant genetic divergence (p-distance 3.2%–16.9% based on CO1 mitochondrial gene), and it can be distinguished from all known congeners by the following morphological characters: (1) all dorsal scales strongly keeled, 23 rows throughout the body, the outmost one strongly keeled and enlarged; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.221 ~ 0.225; (3) maxillary teeth 23; (4) the suture between internasals 2 × as long as that between prefrontals; (5) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.62 ~ 0.70; (6) supralabials 6, the 4th and 5th touch the eye; (7) the two anterior temporals in contact with eye; (8) ventrals 163–165, subcaudals 69–72, not paired. This raises the number of known species of Achalinus to 24.

Key words: Achalinus hunanensis sp. nov., morphology, phylogeny, divergence time, taxonomy

The holotype (CIB 119039, subadult male) of Achalinus hunanensis sp. nov.
A dorsolateral view B ventral view C right side of middle body view D dorsal head view E left side of head view F right side of head view G ventral head view.

Photographs by Sheng-Chao Shi.

 Achalinus hunanensis sp. nov.

 

Achalinus ater: Shu et al. 2014; Shen et al. 2014; Gao et al. 2022.

Diagnosis: (1) 23 rows of dorsal scales throughout the body, all dorsal scales strongly keeled, and the outmost one strongly keeled and enlarged; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.221 ~ 0.225; (3) maxillary teeth 23; (4) the suture between internasals 2 × as long as that between prefrontals; (5) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.62 ~ 0.70; (6) supralabials six, the 4th and 5th touch the eye; (7) the two anterior temporals in contact with eye; (8) ventrals 163–165, subcaudals 69–72, not paired.

 

Etymology: This new species is named after its known distribution range, which is endemic to Hunan Province. 

The Chinese name is suggested as “湖南脊蛇” (Hú Nán Jǐ Shé) 

and the English name “Hunan Odd-scale Snake” or “Hunan Burrowing Snake” is suggested.

 Shun Ma, Sheng-Chao Shi, Sun-Jun Xiang, Fu Shu and Jian-Ping Jiang. 2023. A New Species of Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Squamata, Xenodermidae) from Hunan Province, China. ZooKeys. 1166: 315-331. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.103055

[Herpetology • 2023] Achalinus dabieshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from the Dabie Mountains, Anhui, China

Achalinus dabieshanensis Zhang, Liu, Huang and Zhang 

in Zhang, Liu, Huang, Hu, Yu, Sun, Zhang, Wen et Zhang, 2023. 

 大别山脊蛇  || DOI: 10.3390/ani13040708 

Researchgate.net/publication/368631615

Abstract

A new species of Xenodermid snake, Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov., was described based on three specimens (two female and one male) collected from the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui Province. It can be distinguished from known congeners by a significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial gene fragment COI (p-distance ≥ 9.4%) and the following combination of characteristics: (1) length of the suture between the internasals being distinctly shorter than between the prefrontals; (2) a single loreal; (3) dorsal scales strongly keeled, in 23 rows throughout the body; (4) two pairs of prefrontals; (5) six supralabials; (6) five infralabials; (7) temporals 2 + 2 + 3 (or 2 + 2 + 4); (8) 141–155 ventrals; (9) 45–55 subcaudals, unpaired; (10) anal entire; (11) weakly iridescent tinged, uniform, brown to black dorsum with vertebral scales and about three adjacent dorsal scales dark brown forming a longitudinal vertebral line from posterior margin of parietals to tail tip; (12) light brown venter, ventral shields wide, visible on both sides, light brown flanks, giving the appearance of a black subcaudal streak. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 22.

Keywords: Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov.; morphology; phylogenetics; taxonomy

  The general aspect of the adult female holotype (AHU 2018-EE-0710) and the adult male paratype (AHU 2016-EE-0615) of Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov.
(A–D) the holotype left and right and dorsal and ventral view of head (showing length of the suture between internasals shorter than it between prefrontals, a single loreal, six supralabials, five infralabials and temporals 2 + 2 + 3);
(E–H) the paratype left and right and dorsal and ventral view of head;
(I) Overall view of the preserved holotype; (J) the holotype dorsal view of midbody (showing dorsum iridescent brown with three scales wide dorsal black line).

Photos by Lihua Huang and Caiwen Zhang.

Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov. Zhang, Liu, Huang and Zhang 

Diagnosis: A new species of Achalinus with: (1) weakly iridescent tinged, uniform brown dorsum with vertebral scales and about three adjacent dorsal scales dark brown, forming longitudinal vertebral line from posterior margin of parietals to tail tip; (2) light brown venter; (3) relatively short tail, TaL/TL ratio 16.8–22.3%; (4) suture length between internasals distinctly shorter than between prefrontals; (5) one loreal (height/length ratio 0.79–0.89); (6) six supralabials, 4th and 5th widely in contact with eye; (7) temporals 2 + 2 + 3 (or 2 + 2 + 4), two elongated anterior temporals in contact with eye; (8) five infralabials, two pairs of chin shields, first three infralabials touching first pair of chin shields; (9) 141–155 ventrals, 45–55 subcaudals, not paired; (10) dorsal scales in 23 rows throughout, strongly keeled, but outermost rows on both sides smooth and significantly enlarged; (11) anal entire.

Etymology: The specific epithet, Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov., refers to the distribution of the new species in the Dabie Mountains in Anhui, China. We suggest the English name would be the “Dabie Mountains Odd-scaled Snake” or “Dabie Mountain Burrowing Snake” and the Chinese name “大别山脊蛇 (Dà Bié Shān Jǐ Shé)”.

 General view of the holotype of Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov. in life

(Photography by Kai Zhao).

 Conclusions: 

A new species of Achalinus, Achalinus dabieshanensis sp. nov., is described based on three specimens collected from the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui Province. It appears to be widespread in the Dabie Mountains. The discovery of new species made the members of the genus Achalinus distribution area extend northward to the Dabie Mountain in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. However, their discovery is largely accidental, which makes it difficult for us to make accurate judgments on the abundance and population status of this new species in the Dabie Mountains. Further investigations will be necessary to assess the risk of extinction of this species.

 Caiwen Zhang, Kai Liu, Ruyi Huang, Tingli Hu, Lei Yu, Ruolei Sun, Yucai Zhang, Jing Wen and Baowei Zhang. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from the Dabie Mountains, Anhui, China. Animals 2023, 13(4), 708. DOI: 10.3390/ani13040708 

Researchgate.net/publication/368631615_A_New_Species_Achalinus_from_the_Dabie_Mountains_Anhui_China

 

Simple Summary: A new species of odd-scaled snake in the genus Achalinus is described from Dabie Mountains Luan City, Anhui Province, China, based on one male and two female specimens. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses based on a mitochondrial DNA fragment (CO1) indicated the new taxon is different from its congeners (p–distance ≥ 9.4%). Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from the other species by a combination of 12 characters. The recognition of the new species brings the number of described Achalinus species to 22.

[Herpetology • 2021] Paraxenodermus borneensis • Phylogenetic Relationships of Xenodermid Snakes (Serpentes: Xenodermidae), with the Description of A New Genus

Paraxenodermus borneensis (Boulenger, 1899) 

(ZRC 2.5731), from Crocker Range, Sabah, in the north-western Borneo.

in Deepak, Lalronunga, Lalhmingliani, et al. 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e75967

Photograph by Indraneil Das.

Abstract

Xenodermidae is a generally poorly known lineage of caenophidian snakes found in South, East and Southeast Asia. We report molecular phylogenetic analyses for a multilocus data set comprising all five currently recognised genera and including new mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequence data for the recently described Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai. Our phylogenetic results provide very strong support for the non-monophyly of Stoliczkia, as presently constituted, with S. borneensis being more closely related to Xenodermus than to the Northeast Indian S. vanhnuailianai. Based on phylogenetic relationships and morphological distinctiveness, we transfer Stoliczkia borneensis to a new monotypic genus endemic to Borneo, Paraxenodermus gen. nov. We also present new morphological data for P. borneensis.

Key words: Borneo, endemic, morphology, Paraxenodermus gen. nov., phylogeny, taxonomy

Line drawings of Stoliczkia khasiensis (A, B),
Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai (C, D) and
Paraxenodermus borneensis (E, F)

based on ZSIK 14945, BNHS 3656 and BMNH 1946.1.15.58 respectively.

Genus characteristics are highlighted in different colours: 1) some supralabials in contact with eye in Stoliczkia, separated by circumorbital scales in Paraxenodermus; 2) fewer supra- and infralabials in Stoliczkia than in Paraxenodermus; 3) single prefrontal in Stoliczkia versus 2–3 in Paraxenodermus, 4) fewer scales between parietal and supralabials immediately behind eye in Stoliczkia than in Paraxenodermus, and 5) small row of scales between frontal and prefrontals absent in Stoliczkia, present in Paraxenodermus.

Note small scales behind the temporals are indicative rather than precisely accurate. Pale grey coloured areas are bare skin exposed between scales.

Illustrations by V. Deepak and Surya Narayanan. Scale bars = 10 mm.

Systematics

Stoliczkia — (Jerdon, 1870)

Content— S. khasiensis (Fig. 3A–B) and S. vanhnuailianai (Fig. 3C–D)

Diagnosis: This genus can be diagnosed based on the combination of the following features: (1) maxillary teeth small and subequal, (2) head very distinct from (much wider than) ‘neck’, with large shields on dorsal aspect, (3) posterior one-third of the head and posterior temporal region covered with small scales like those of the anterior end of the body, (4) 3 small scales between parietal and supralabial shields immediately behind eye (5) 8–9 supralabials, (6) nostril in a large concave nasal, (7) body slender and somewhat laterally compressed, (8) ventrals large, and (9) dark dorsum and pale venter meet along a regular straight line ventrolaterally and subcaudals partially or completely darker than venter.

Distribution: This genus is restricted to Northeast India (Fig. 1). Stoliczkia khasiensis is thus far known only from Khasi hills, Meghalaya state, India and the recently described Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai is known only from Mizoram state, India.

Etymology: The genus is named after the Moravian-born Ferdinand Stoliczka (1838–1874). A geologist-natural historian, he was appointed as a palaeontologist with the Geological Survey of India in 1863. Stoliczka collected vertebrates and molluscs from northern India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar and the Malay Peninsula. He served as the official Naturalist with the Second Mission to Yarkand, in central Asia. A biography and a list of published works and reports by Stoliczka can be found in Kolmaš (1982).

Paraxenodermus borneensis in life (ZRC 2.5731), from Crocker Range, Sabah, in the north-western Borneo. Sequences for this specimen was published in Vidal and Hedges (2002) and used in this study.

Photograph by Indraneil Das.

Paraxenodermus, gen. nov. 

 

Type species: Paraxenodermus borneensis (Boulenger, 1899).

Type locality: Mount Kinabalu, North Borneo (4,200 ft / 1,280 m); the holotype is deposited in the Natural History Museum, London as BMNH 1946.1.15.58; collected by Richard Hanitsch in March, 1899.

Diagnosis: This genus can be diagnosed based on the combination of the following features: (1) maxillary teeth small and subequal, (2) head very distinct from (much wider than) ‘neck’, with large shields on dorsal aspect, (3) posterior one-third of the head and posterior temporal region covered with small scales like those of the anterior of the body, (4) numerous small scales between parietal and supralabial shields immediately behind eye, (5) a row of 4–6 small scales between the frontal and prefrontal shields, (6) 10–11 supralabials, (7) nostril in a large concave nasal, (8) body slender and somewhat laterally compressed, (9) ventrals large, and (10) dorsum with numerous dorsolateral and middorsal pale blotches, venter pale with brown patches and subcaudals dark grey.

Etymology: The generic name Paraxenodermus is composed of the modern Latin generic name Xenodermus and the Latin adjective par (paris), meaning, among other possibilities, “similar to”.

Paraxenodermus borneensis (Boulenger, 1899).

 V. Deepak, Samuel Lalronunga, Esther Lalhmingliani, Abhijit Das, Surya Narayanan, Indraneil Das and David J. Gower. 2021. Phylogenetic Relationships of Xenodermid Snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Xenodermidae), with the Description of A New Genus. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 747-763. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e75967

[Herpetology • 2021] Achalinus dehuaensis • A New Species of the Achalinus rufescens Complex (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from Fujian Province, China

 Achalinus dehuaensis

Li, Wu, Xu, Zhu, Ren, Guo & Dong, 2021

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.5026.2.5 

Researchgate.net/publication/346144918 

Abstract

 A new species of the xenodermid snake genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 is described from Fujian Province, China, based on six specimens. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses based on a mitochondrial DNA fragment (CO1) indicated the new taxon is different from its congeners (p–distance ≥ 18.5%). Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from the other species by a combination of following characters: (1) dorsal scales 23 rows throughout, strongly keeled, the most outer rows on both sides also keeled and slightly enlarged; (2) tail relatively longer, TaL/TL ratio 0.26–0.29 in males, 0.21–0.22 in females; (3) maxillary teeth 30–33; (4) length of suture between internasals significantly longer than that between prefrontals; (5) nasal divided into two sections by nasal cleft; (6) a single loreal; (7) SPO 1, seldom 2; (8) SPL 6, the fourth and fifth contacting eye; (9) IFL5, rarely 6, the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (10) TMP 7–9, arranged in three rows; (11) VS 142–149 in males, VS 152–154 in females; (12) SC 74–81 in males, SC 63–65 in females, arranged in a single row; (13) cloacal entire; (14) greyish brown above, pale yellow beneath; (15) dorsum with an indistinct longitudinal vertebral stripe. The description of the new species brings the total species of Achalinus to 19.

Keywords: Reptilia, Achalinus dehuaensis sp.nov., morphology, molecular phylogeny, taxanomy, snake

  General view of Achalinus dehuaensis sp. nov. in life (LAB 2020039).

photo by Jin– Long Ren.

 

Ke Li, Ya-Yong Wu, Rui-Ying Xu, Fei Zhu, Jin-Long Ren, Peng Guo and Bing-Jun Dong. 2021. A New Species of the Achalinus rufescens Complex (Xenodermidae: Achalinus) from Fujian Province, China. Zootaxa. 5026(2); 239-254. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.5026.2.5

Researchgate.net/publication/346144918_A_new_species_of_Achalinus_from_southeastern_Yunnan_China

[Herpetology • 2021] Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai • A New Species of Stoliczkia Jerdon, 1870 (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from Mizoram, India

 Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai 

 Lalronunga, Lalhmangaiha, Zosangliana, Lalhmingliani, Gower, Das & Deepak, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4996.3.9 

 twitter.com/DeepakVeerappan 

 

Abstract

We describe a new species of Stoliczkia from Mizoram, India. Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai sp. nov. is identified as a member of the genus Stoliczkia by distinct scale arrangements on the posterior of the head, and by scales on the body being separated by scaleless skin, and it differs from the two known congeners in body and head scalation. This is only the third specimen of Stoliczkia collected from India, and the sixth reported specimen for the genus. A revised key to the identification of the species of Stoliczkia is provided.

Keywords: Reptilia, Northeast India, Snakes, Squamata, systematics, taxonomy 

 

Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai sp. nov.

Samuel Lalronunga, K. Lalhmangaiha, Isaac Zosangliana, Esther Lalhmingliani, David J. Gower, Abhijit Das and V. Deepak. 2021. A New Species of Stoliczkia Jerdon, 1870 (Serpentes: Xenodermidae) from Mizoram, India. Zootaxa. 4996(3); 555-568.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4996.3.9

  twitter.com/DeepakVeerappan/status/1412242112633004034

  

[Herpetology • 2021] Achalinus huangjietangi • A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Serpentes : Xenodermidae) from Huangshan, Anhui, China

Achalinus huangjietangi  R. Huang, Peng, & S. Huang, 

in Huang, Peng, Yu, ... et Huang, 2021

 Huang’s Odd-scaled Snake | 黄家岭脊蛇 || ahr-journal.com 

biology.ahnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

A new species of the genus Achalinus is described based on five specimens collected from the villages of Huangjialing and Fuxi, Huangshan, Anhui, China. It can be morphologically differentiated from all the other species in Achalinus except for A. spinalis and A. werneri by the presence of a dotted black streak in the middle of the subcaudal. It can be distinguished from A. spinalis in that its two anterior temporals are in contact with eye, and A. werneri by its light brown flanks. The phylogenetic relationship of Achalinus was reconstructed using the mitochondrial locus of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). The five new specimens form a monophyletic clade with strong support. The uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other representatives of Achalinus range from 13.6% to 21.7%. The recognition of the new species increases the number of described Achalinus species to 14.

Keywords: Achalinus huangjietangi sp. nov.;  Huangjialing Village;  morphology;  molecular phylogeny;  taxonomy

Achalinus huangjietangi  
General aspect of paratype (HSR18220, SNHM5412) in life.
Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views; Dorsal (C), ventral (D), Right (E) and Left (F) views of head. The frontal dehiscence in the middle (C).

Achalinus huangjietangi sp. nov. Ruyi HUANG, Lifang PENG, and Song HUANG 

Suggested English name: Huang’s Odd-scaled Snake. 

Suggested Chinese name: 黄家岭脊蛇 (Bopomofo: Huáng Jiā Lǐng Jǐ Shé).

Diagnosis: The new species of Achalinus tha t can be differentiated from its congeners by the following combination of characters: an iridescent, black (in juveniles) or brown (in adults) dorsum with vertebral scales and about half of the adjacent dorsal scales dark, forming a longitudinal vertebral line from posterior margin of parietals to tail tip, a light brown venter, ventral shields wide and visible on both sides, light brown flanks, a black dot in the middle of each subcaudal scale, giving the appearance of a black subcaudal streak, dorsal scales weakly keeled and do not overlap, 23 dorsal scale rows throughout the body, outermost dorsal row smooth and significantly enlarged, preocular and postocular absent, an internasal suture half of the length of the prefontal suture, temporals 2+2+4, elongated with the two anterior temporals in contact with eye, a pair of significantly enlarged uppermost posterior temporals (super-temporal) separated from each other by a small intertemporal behind the parietals.

Etymology: The species name is derived from the name of Professor Jietang Huang (Huangshan Institude of Ophiology), a senior ophiologist who has been contributing substantially to snake researche over 50 years. Born and raised in Huangjialing Village, he was the first college graduate from the village.

Natural History: Specimens were found in secondary conifer/ broad-leaved mixed forests (Figure 1) at elevations from 220 to 450 m a. s. l. Achalinus huangjietangi sp. nov. is a nocturnal, secretive and subterranean snake, living in the forest floor, and is usually hidden in deciduous and humic layers close to streams and ditches. 

 Ruyi Huang,  Lifang Peng, Lei Yu, Tianqi Huang, Ke Jiang, Li Ding, Jinkang Chang, Diancheng Yang, Yuhao Xu and Song Huang. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus from Huangshan, Anhui, China (Squamata: Xenodermidae). Asian Herpetological Research. 12(2); 1-10 . DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.200075  

ahr-journal.com/en/oa/darticle.aspx?type=view&id=ahr-2020-0075

黄家岭脊蛇—安徽师范大学生命科学学院发现蛇类新物种

biology.ahnu.edu.cn/info/1062/5923.htm