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| Gloydius lateralis Zhang, Shi, Jiang & Shi, in Zhang, Shi, Li, Yan, ... et Shi, 2022. |
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive morphological comparison along with molecular phylogeny of the genus Gloydius based on five mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, COI, cytb, and ND4). The specimens collected from Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve are shown to be a new species, Gloydius lateralis sp. nov. Zhang, Shi, Jiang & Shi based on a combination of morphological and molecular accounts. G. lateralis sp. nov. differs from other congeneric species by a series of diagnostic morphological characteristics and forms a strongly supported monophyletic group. The new species is phylogenetically closely related to G. swild, another recently described species from Heishui, Aba, Sichuan.
Keywords: Asian pitviper, Gloydius lateralis, Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, morphology, new species, phylogenetics
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| Head squamation of holotype of Gloydius lateralis sp. nov. CIB 119377 (JZ02) A lateral view B ventral view C dorsal view. Scale bar: 10 mm. |
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| Holotype of Gloydius lateralis sp. nov. in life, adult female, CIB 119377 (JZ02) A dorsolateral view B ventral view. |
Gloydius lateralis Zhang, Shi, Jiang & Shi, sp. nov.
Diagnoses: The above-mentioned specimens were identified as members of the genus Gloydius based on the small body size, bilateral pits, and divided subcaudal scales (Zhao 2006; Shi et al. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021). G. lateralis sp. nov. differs from other congeneric species by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) relatively larger eyes (ED/HL: 0.145–0.171, n = 5); (2) three palatine teeth; (3) 20 or 21 rows of mid-body dorsal scales; (4) ventrals 151–163 (n = 9); (5) subcaudals 38–49 (n = 6); (6) dorsal body laurel green or light brown with four rows of zigzag, dark brown patches, the medial two rows separated from each other by alternate phyllotaxis pattern in background color; (7) continuous, regular greyish-brown ventrolateral stripe on each side of body and tail.
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| Paratypes of Gloydius lateralis sp. nov. in life A, B CIB 119379 (JZ04), adult female in dorsolateral and ventral views C, D CIB119378 (JZ03), adult female in dorsolateral and ventral views. |
Etymology: The specific epithet lateralis refers to the unique continuous, regular, greyish-brown ventrolateral stripes at the junction of ventrals and the first row of dorsal scales. The common name is suggested as “Jiuzhai pitviper” in English, “Jiǔ Zhài Fù” (九寨蝮) in Chinese, refer to its type locality, Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve.
Distribution and ecology: At present, G. lateralis sp. nov. is only known from Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. The type specimens were collected from the middle of June to the end of August. Gloydius lateralis sp. nov. is active on sunny days by the roadside in a hot, dry valley (Fig. 8). This species is sympatric with Protobothrops jerdonii, Rhabdophis nuchalis, and Scincella tsinlingensis. The food spectrum of the new species includes small mammals based on a small patch of fur observed in feces. They fed on suckling mice in captivity.
Mei-Hua Zhang, Sheng-Chao Shi, Cheng Li, Peng Yan, Ping Wang, Li Ding, Jie Du, Anđelka Plenković-Moraj, Jian-Ping Jiang and Jing-Song Shi. 2022. Exploring Cryptic Biodiversity in A World Heritage Site: A New Pitviper (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae) from Jiuzhaigou, Aba, Sichuan, China. ZooKeys. 1114: 59-76. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1114.79709
https://phys.org/news/2022-07-pit-viper-jiuzhaigou-national-nature.html
Jing-Song Shi, Jin-Cheng Liu, Rohit Giri, ... et Anita Malhotra. 2021. Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genus Gloydius (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with Description of Two New Alpine Species from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. ZooKeys. 1061: 87-108. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1061.70420
