The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a res...The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a result, limited data exist and O. daovantieni remains one of the least studied members of its genus. Based on a re-examination of the type series, analysis of newly collected topotypic specimens, and a review of museum collections, this study provides an updated and comprehensive morphological characterization of O. daovantieni including detailed descriptions of hemipenial morphology, revised diagnostic characters,phylogenetic positioning, and ecological insights.Based on morphological comparisons with congeners, we also define the informal Opisthotropis spenceri group to facilitate future taxonomic work. In addition, this study documents a previously unreported defensive behavior involving tail-poking,observed in the field and thus far unique within the genus Opisthotropis.展开更多
A new species of the Kukri snake genus Oligodon is described from Medog County in the eastern Himalayas of China. The species, named Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov., can be distinguished from all known congeners by a com...A new species of the Kukri snake genus Oligodon is described from Medog County in the eastern Himalayas of China. The species, named Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov., can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics:(1) 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows;(2) six supralabials, third and fourth entering orbit;(3) one loreal present;(4)seven infralabials, first to fourth in contact with anterior chin shields;(5) 173 ventral scales and 47 pairs of subcaudal scales;(6) cloacal plate divided;(7) hemipenis single, shallowly bilobed, with large calcareous spines and a calyx area, sulcus spermaticus single;and(8) eight maxillary teeth.Phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes revealed that this species occupies an independent phylogenetic position, distinct from the eight recognized species groups within the genus, and represents a sister taxon to the clade comprising the O. theobaldi and O. cinereus groups.The description is based on a single road-killed individual. As such, ecological data for the species remain sparse, underscoring the need for additional field surveys across the eastern Himalayan region.展开更多
The Hengduan Mountains Region(HMR)in China, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot,has garnered attention for its potential to harbor cryptic species within the Asian pit viper genus Gloydius Hoge & Romano-Ho...The Hengduan Mountains Region(HMR)in China, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot,has garnered attention for its potential to harbor cryptic species within the Asian pit viper genus Gloydius Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981. Based on comprehensive morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Gloydius strauchi complex, this study identified a previously unrecognized species of Asian pit viper. Discovered in the upper Lancang(Mekong) hot dry valley of Xizang,China, this species is geographically proximate to G.huangi but exhibits clear morphological distinctions from other members of the genus, representing the second Gloydius species identified along the upper Lancang River. We describe here this new species and highlight the significance of skull and hemipenis morphology, which were instrumental in its diagnosis and in resolving taxonomic boundaries and ambiguities within the G. strauchi complex. This study provides insights into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this newly described species, enhancing our understanding of diversification patterns in this genus.展开更多
The South and Southeast Asian snake genus Oligodon, known for its egg-eating feeding behavior, has been a taxonomically and systematically challenging group. This work provides the first phylogenetic hypothesis for th...The South and Southeast Asian snake genus Oligodon, known for its egg-eating feeding behavior, has been a taxonomically and systematically challenging group. This work provides the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. We use approximately 1900 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence data to infer the relationships of these snakes, and we examine congruence between the phylogeny and hemipenial characters. A hypothesis for the position of Oligodon within the Colubridae is also proposed. We discuss the implications of the phylogeny for previous taxonomic groupings, and consider the usefulness of the trees in analysis of behavior and biogeography of this genus.展开更多
Three Asian green pit vipers were collected in August 2013 during a field trip in Fanjin Mt. National Conservation Area, Guizhou. These specimens were identified as Sinovipera sichuanensis, based on subsequent examina...Three Asian green pit vipers were collected in August 2013 during a field trip in Fanjin Mt. National Conservation Area, Guizhou. These specimens were identified as Sinovipera sichuanensis, based on subsequent examination and comparison. This is a new record of the genus Sinovipera and S. sichuanensis in Guizhou, and the first time that male specimens have been collected in the field.展开更多
The complete mitochondrial cytb gene and the partial nuclear c-mos gene of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 were sequenced and used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationship of this taxon amongst alethinophid...The complete mitochondrial cytb gene and the partial nuclear c-mos gene of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 were sequenced and used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationship of this taxon amongst alethinophidian snakes. Its strong affinity to the New World subfamily Dipsadinae and the Old World species Thermophis baileyi was inferred. Hemipenial morphology found by authors conflicts with the original description and its similarity with those of the dipsadid snakes is in accordance with our molecular results. Feeding tests show that O. ningshaanensis is a malacophagous predator, which is another matchless character for this species. This behavior is described and compared with other known slug- and snail-feeding snakes. The discovery of the particular position of our subject indicates that erecting a new genus is necessary accommodate this unique species.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32300370, 32200363)International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (071GJHZ2023041MI),Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-BRP-017-65, KFJ-BRP017-086, CAS-TAX-24-051, CAS-TAX-24-052)+2 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M743416)Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (No. 2023NSFSC1155)partially supported by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (CT0000.03/25-27) to NTT。
文摘The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a result, limited data exist and O. daovantieni remains one of the least studied members of its genus. Based on a re-examination of the type series, analysis of newly collected topotypic specimens, and a review of museum collections, this study provides an updated and comprehensive morphological characterization of O. daovantieni including detailed descriptions of hemipenial morphology, revised diagnostic characters,phylogenetic positioning, and ecological insights.Based on morphological comparisons with congeners, we also define the informal Opisthotropis spenceri group to facilitate future taxonomic work. In addition, this study documents a previously unreported defensive behavior involving tail-poking,observed in the field and thus far unique within the genus Opisthotropis.
基金supported by grants from National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFC2602500)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (2019QZKK0501)+4 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (32200363, 32325011, 32220103004, 32300370, 32400361)International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (071GJHZ2023041MI)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M743416)Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2023NSFSC1155, 2024NSFSC1180)Taxonomist Position, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS-TAX-24-051, CAS-TAX-24-052),Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-BRP-017-086, KFJ-BRP-017-065)。
文摘A new species of the Kukri snake genus Oligodon is described from Medog County in the eastern Himalayas of China. The species, named Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov., can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics:(1) 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows;(2) six supralabials, third and fourth entering orbit;(3) one loreal present;(4)seven infralabials, first to fourth in contact with anterior chin shields;(5) 173 ventral scales and 47 pairs of subcaudal scales;(6) cloacal plate divided;(7) hemipenis single, shallowly bilobed, with large calcareous spines and a calyx area, sulcus spermaticus single;and(8) eight maxillary teeth.Phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes revealed that this species occupies an independent phylogenetic position, distinct from the eight recognized species groups within the genus, and represents a sister taxon to the clade comprising the O. theobaldi and O. cinereus groups.The description is based on a single road-killed individual. As such, ecological data for the species remain sparse, underscoring the need for additional field surveys across the eastern Himalayan region.
基金supported by the National Key Program of Research and Development, Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2023YFF1304800)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (2019QZKK0501)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32325011, 32220103004, 32300370, 32200363)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M743416, 2023M743417)Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KF-BRP-01765, KFJ-BRP-017-086),Taxonomist Position, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS-TAX-24-051, CAS-TAX-24-052)。
文摘The Hengduan Mountains Region(HMR)in China, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot,has garnered attention for its potential to harbor cryptic species within the Asian pit viper genus Gloydius Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981. Based on comprehensive morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Gloydius strauchi complex, this study identified a previously unrecognized species of Asian pit viper. Discovered in the upper Lancang(Mekong) hot dry valley of Xizang,China, this species is geographically proximate to G.huangi but exhibits clear morphological distinctions from other members of the genus, representing the second Gloydius species identified along the upper Lancang River. We describe here this new species and highlight the significance of skull and hemipenis morphology, which were instrumental in its diagnosis and in resolving taxonomic boundaries and ambiguities within the G. strauchi complex. This study provides insights into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this newly described species, enhancing our understanding of diversification patterns in this genus.
基金supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada) Discovery Grant A3148 to RWMsupported by NSERC, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Foundationthe ROM Members Volunteer Committee
文摘The South and Southeast Asian snake genus Oligodon, known for its egg-eating feeding behavior, has been a taxonomically and systematically challenging group. This work provides the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. We use approximately 1900 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence data to infer the relationships of these snakes, and we examine congruence between the phylogeny and hemipenial characters. A hypothesis for the position of Oligodon within the Colubridae is also proposed. We discuss the implications of the phylogeny for previous taxonomic groupings, and consider the usefulness of the trees in analysis of behavior and biogeography of this genus.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC 31372152)the Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Provincial Education Department(13TD 0027)to PGthe Fanjing Mt.National Nature Conservation Area
文摘Three Asian green pit vipers were collected in August 2013 during a field trip in Fanjin Mt. National Conservation Area, Guizhou. These specimens were identified as Sinovipera sichuanensis, based on subsequent examination and comparison. This is a new record of the genus Sinovipera and S. sichuanensis in Guizhou, and the first time that male specimens have been collected in the field.
文摘The complete mitochondrial cytb gene and the partial nuclear c-mos gene of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 were sequenced and used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationship of this taxon amongst alethinophidian snakes. Its strong affinity to the New World subfamily Dipsadinae and the Old World species Thermophis baileyi was inferred. Hemipenial morphology found by authors conflicts with the original description and its similarity with those of the dipsadid snakes is in accordance with our molecular results. Feeding tests show that O. ningshaanensis is a malacophagous predator, which is another matchless character for this species. This behavior is described and compared with other known slug- and snail-feeding snakes. The discovery of the particular position of our subject indicates that erecting a new genus is necessary accommodate this unique species.
