 |
| Achalinus yunkaiensis J. Wang, Y. Li & Y.Y. Wang, in Wang, Li, Zeng, Lyu, Sung, Li, Lin et Wang, 2019. |
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
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
