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| (D-F) Gonyosoma hainanense Peng, Zhang, Huang, Burbrink & Wang, (G) Gonyosoma boulengeri (Mocquard, 1897) in Peng, Zhang, Huang, Burbrink, Chen, Hou, Zhu, Yang & Wang, 2021. |
A new species of the genus Gonyosoma Wagler, 1828 is described herein based on six specimens from the Diaoluoshan Mountains, Hainan Island, Hainan Province, China. The new species, Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov., is most similar to its continental sister species, Gonyosoma boulengeri (Mocquard, 1897). Both taxa have a scaled protrusion on the anterior portion of the rostrum, distinct from other congeners. However, Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov. can be distinguished from G. boulengeri by two significant morphological characters: (1) black orbital stripe absent in adults (vs. present in G. boulengeri); and (2) two loreals (vs. one loreal in G. boulengeri). The new species is also genetically divergent and forms a unique clade from its sister species and all other congeners based on sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (cyt b).
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| Phylogenetic tree, holotype of Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov., and comparisons with Gonyosoma boulengeri (Mocquard, 1897) A: Phylogeny of genus Gonyosoma derived from partial cyt b sequences. Bayesian posterior probabilities (left) and bootstrap support (right) are shown at corresponding nodes. Head (B, C, F) and general (D, E) views of holotype (ANU20190002). G: Head of adult male of Gonyosoma boulengeri (collection number: HSR2010073, from Yunnan Province, China). F and G: Differences in black orbital stripe and loreals. Photos by M. Hou (B–F) and S. Huang (G). |
Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov. L. Peng, Y. Zhang, S. Huang, F. T. Burbrink, and J. Wang, 2021
Suggested English name: Hainan Rhinoceros Snake.
Suggested Chinese name: 海南尖喙蛇 (Bopomofo: hǎi nán jiān huì shé).
Diagnosis: The new species, Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov., can be distinguished by the following characters: (1) Long pointed rostral appendage covered with small smooth scales; (2) SVL 652–927 mm in adults; (3) Dorsal scales slightly keeled, 19-19-15(13); (4) Ventral and subcaudal scales strongly angulated laterally; (5) Ventral scales 216–221; (6) Subcaudals paired, 122–135; (7) Anal plate divided; (8) One preocular, two postoculars; (9) Supralabials 9/9, fourth to sixth in contact with eye; (10) Infralabials 10–12, first five in contact with first pair of chin shields; (11) Temporals 2+2+3 (rarely 2+3+3); (12) Black orbital stripe absent in adults; (13) Two loreals oriented longitudinally.
Etymology: The specific name refers to the province of its type locality, i.e., Hainan Island, Hainan Province, China.
Distribution and natural history: Gonyosoma hainanense sp. nov. is currently known only from the Diaoluoshan Mountains (type locality) and the Jianfengling Mountains of Hainan Island, Hainan Province, China. This species inhabits subtropical rainforests (Supplementary Figure S1G) at elevations between ~200 and 900 m a.s.l., particularly in valleys with streams. It is generally arboreal and nocturnal (Zhao et al., 1998; Zhao, 2006). Furthermore, it is oviparous with a clutch size of six (white) eggs and an incubation period of 62 days (20 April–21 June 2019). Neonates and juveniles are gray, with black orbital stripes. Captive individuals (ANU20190003) consume mice. Wild individuals are preyed on by Lycodon rosozonatus (Supplementary Figure S1A–F). Coloration gradually changes to green as the snake matures, and the black orbital stripes gradually fade.
Li-Fang Peng, Yong Zhang, Song Huang, Frank T. Burbrink, Jin-Min Chen, Mian Hou, Yi-Wu Zhu, Hang Yang and Ji-Chao Wang. 2021. A New Snake Species of the Genus Gonyosoma Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Hainan Island, China. Zoological Research. 42(4); 487-491. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.085
