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| Trimeresurus liqibini Liang, Ding, Wu, Yang et Chen, 2026 |
Abstract
In this study, we describe a green pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804, from Yunnan Province, China, based on both morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from other congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) dorsal body grass-green, ventral body yellowish green; (2) postocular stripe absent in females; (3) ventrolateral stripe white, present on the first dorsal scale rows in females; (4) iris golden yellow in females; (5) DSR 19/20–19–15 (N = 2), VEN 145–147 (N = 2), SC 55–60 (N = 2); (6) 10–11 cephalic scales; (7) first supralabial separated from the nasal scale by a distinct suture. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cyt b, ND4, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA gene fragments indicates that the new species is genetically divergent from all congeners (BPP 1.00/UFB 100), with uncorrected genetic distances of the mitochondrial gene cyt b ranging from 3.6% (T. mayaae) to 13.1% (T. hageni, T. septentrionalis, T. guoi, and T. ayeyarwadyensis) compared with its congeners.
Key Words: Morphology, molecular phylogeny, Southwestern China, taxonomy, Trimeresurus liqibini sp. nov.
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| Holotype of Trimeresurus liqibini sp. nov. in life (adult female, GXNU251216). |
Trimeresurus liqibini Liang, Ding, Wu, Yang & Chen, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Trimeresurus liqibini sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeneric species by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) Dorsal body grass-green, ventral body yellowish-green. (2) Lateral head grass-green above lower margin of eyes, and light green below, without postocular stripes in females. (3) Ventrolateral stripe white, present on outermost rows of dorsal scales in females. (4) Iris golden yellow in females. (5) First supralabial separated from nasal scale by a distinct suture. (6) Head scales feebly keeled; dorsal scale rows 19 (20)–19–15 (N = 2), slightly keeled except the outermost rows; ventral scales 145–147 in females (N = 2); subcaudal scales 55–60 in females (N = 2). (7) Tail prehensile, predominantly reddish-brown; tail moderate in length, with TaL/TL ratios of 0.171–0.175 in females. (8) Internasals not in contact, usually separated by one scale. (9) Supraoculars large but elongate, separated by 10–11 cephalic scales.
Etymology. The specific name is in honor of Prof. Qibin Li (Guangxi, China) for his significant contributions to snakebite prevention, treatment, and the clinical application of snake venom. As a common name, we suggest “Li Qibin’s Green Pit Viper” in English and “Kūn Míng Zhú Yè Qīng (昆明竹叶青)” in Chinese.
Ya-Ting Liang, Li Ding, Zheng-Jun Wu, Rui-Gang Yang and Ze-Ning Chen. 2026. Description of A New Species from Yunnan, China, within the Genus Trimeresurus (Reptilia, Squamata, Viperidae) by integrating morphological and genetic evidence. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 303-314. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.173390 [09 Feb 2026]
