-novataxa_2022-Srikanthan_Adhikari_Mallik.jpg) |
| Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) in Srikanthan, Adhikari, Mallik, Campbell, ... et Ganesh, 2022. Photo: Ajay Karthik. |
ABSTRACT
The taxonomic status of the nominal taxon Dryophis prasinus flavescens Wall, 1910 is reevaluated herein. Based on molecular data generated from fresh collections of Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) auctorum from Northeast India and, additionally, morphological data from museum specimens originating from the same areas, we resurrect this taxon as Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. We clarify the status, identity and locations of its type specimens, rediscover, redescribe and illustrate those specimens and also designate a lectotype in order to effect a proper taxonomic redefinition of this nominal taxon. We provide further details on the morphology and diagnosis of this species and elucidate its phylogenetic position. We also provide a summary of the natural history and distribution of this species. Adding to the known cryptic diversity and genetic divergence within Southeast Asian populations, this work also hints at the need for a taxonomic revision of the A. prasina complex. This work complements a previous study on the A. prasina complex focusing on populations in Indonesia. Taken together, these two studies represent phylogenetic reconstructions from different populations of the A. prasina complex across its distribution range, on the Asian mainland and the surrounding islands.
Keywords: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, BNHS, DNA, distribution, scalation, vine snakes
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| Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. Live uncollected specimens from Arunachal Pradesh, showing the unusual buff or yellowish-brown colouration. Photo: Bharat Bhushan Bhatt. |
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| Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. Live uncollected specimen from Mizoram, showing the usual green colouration which is dominant in this species. Photo: Ajay Karthik. |
Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov.
Etymology: A Latin adjective, derived from Latin verb ‘flavesco / flavescre’, meaning ‘turning to yellow’ / ‘becoming yellow’, referring to the yellowish colouration of the type specimens in life (see Wall 1910).
Achyuthan N. Srikanthan, Omkar Dilip Adhikari, Ashok Kumar Mallik, Patrick D. Campbell, Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, Kartik Shanker and Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh. 2022. Taxonomic Revaluation of the Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) Complex from Northeast India: Resurrection and Redescription of Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae). European Journal of Taxonomy. 839, 120–148. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.839.1937
