[Herpetology • 2026] Indotyphlops gyirongensis • A New Species of blind snake, Indotyphlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae), from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China

 

Indotyphlops gyirongensis

Lyu, Tan, Zhao, Wallach, Liu & Guo, 2026

吉隆盲蛇  | DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.197322

Abstract

Typhlopidae is the most species-rich and broadly distributed family of blind snakes. Due to their secretive habits, fossorial lifestyle, and conserved morphology, the taxonomy and systematics of this group remain poorly understood. Here, a new species of blind snake is described from Xizang, China, based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species is genetically divergent from its closest relatives with an uncorrected CO1 p-distance exceeding 18.3%. Morphologically, it can be diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: 1) large size with 265 mm total length, 2) supralabial imbrication pattern T-V, 3) midbody scales in 18 rows, 4) total middorsal scales 432, 5) subcaudals 17, 6) infralabials 2, 7) absence of a terminal tail spine, and 8) light-colored head cap. Currently, the new species is known only from Xizang, China, but it likely occurs in adjacent regions in Nepal.

Key words: Blind snake, morphology, new species, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, taxonomy, Typhlopidae

General (top) and ventral (below) views of the holotype of Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov. in life  

photos by Peng Guo

Holotype of Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov. in preservative.
Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of the body, dorsal (C) and lateral (D) views of head, and ventral view of tail (E)

photos by Peng Guo

Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A blind snake distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters: 1) large size with 265 mm in total length, 2) SIP T-V, 3) midbody scales in 18 rows, 4) total middorsal scales 432, 5) subcaudals 17, 6) infralabials 2, 7) absence of a terminal tail spine, and 8) light-colored head cap.

Etymology. The specific epithet Gyirong is a noun in apposition, referring to the type locality, Gyirong Town, Gyirong County, Xizang, China. We suggest the English common name “Gyirong blind snake” and the Chinese common name “吉隆盲蛇” (Jílóng Mángshé) for this new species.

 Bing Lyu, Songwen Tan, Zhichao Zhao, Van Wallach, Qin Liu and Peng Guo. 2026. A New Species of blind snake, Indotyphlops (Serpentes, Typhlopidae), from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China. ZooKeys. 1292: 261-273. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.197322 [17-09-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Lycodon trifasciatus • Neotype Designation for Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Species from Sri Lanka

 

Lycodon trifasciatus

Amarasinghe, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel & Karunarathna,

 in Amarasinghe, Campbell, Seneviratne, Weerakkody, Mata, Kennedy-Gold, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel et Karunarathna, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.422

Abstract

We revisit the systematics of Sri Lankan wolf snakes, historically assigned to Lycodon aulicus and describe a new species using an integrative assessment of external morphology (morphometry, meristics, and hemipenial morphology), osteology (microCT), mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b), and distributional data. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene recovered the L. aulicus group as a strongly supported monophyletic clade that includes five distinct lineages: (i) a Sri Lankan lineage currently referred to as L. aulicus, (ii) L. flavicollis from India, (iii) L. capucinus from the Sundaland region, (iv) L. zawi from Myanmar, and (v) the Sri Lankan endemic described herein as a new species. In our analyses, the new species is placed close to the Sri Lankan lineage currently identified as L. aulicus and to L. flavicollis, although support for some internal relationships is limited. Because the molecular representation of L. aulicus remains geographically restricted (including only a single sequenced Sri Lankan individual and no sequence data from the neotype locality in southwestern India), broader conclusions about the species boundaries, monophyly, and range-wide structure of L. aulicus should be treated as provisional working hypotheses. We do not attempt a range wide revision of L. aulicus sensu lato; we restrict our taxonomic actions and interpretations to (i) stabilizing name usage via type fixation and (ii) diagnosing the description of an overlooked Sri Lankan tri banded lineage.

 (A) Lycodon aulicus neotype (NHMUK 1904.10.18.5), an adult male from Kannur City in Kerala State, India; © Photo: GV; (B) adult voucher specimen of Lycodon aulicus (in life) from Rambukkana, Sri Lanka (NMSL 2026.09.04/Field No. DMSSK217); © Photo: SK.
 (C) Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. paratype (NMSL 2026.09.01/Field No. DMSSK379), an adult male from Udadumbara, Sri Lanka; © Photo: SK; (D) a hatchling of L. trifasciatus sp. nov. (in life) from Kalutara, Sri Lanka (not collected); © Photo: AKAG.

Dorsal, ventral, and lateral head scalation of (A) neotype of L. aulicus (NHMUK 1904.10.18.5; also, lectotype of L. a. oligozonatus) from Cannanore in the Malabar Coast (now Kannur in the Kerala State), (B) holotype of Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. (FMNH 165045) from Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka, and (C) topotype of L. capucinus (UIMZ 0121) from Central Java.

 Illustrations by A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe (not to scale).

Lycodon trifasciatus Amarasinghe, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel & Karunarathna, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by having the following combination of characters (Table 2): adults reach maximum SVL 615 mm; a single preocular; two postoculars; a single loreal scale; divided cloacal plate; nasal scale completely divided by the nostril; preocular in contact with frontal; ventrals 182–184 in 2 males and 192– 195 in 3 females; subcaudals 51–60+ in males and 40–65 in females; 2+3 temporals shorten; nine supralabials with 3rd–5 th in contact with eye; dorsal scale rows 17-17-15; tail length 16.2– 18.1% of total length in males; reddish or dark olive brown dorsum (rarely black) with three (rarely four) white striated crossbands only on the anterior part of the body; crossbands with thickness of 2–4 vertebral scales and 22–28 scales in-between crossbands; 28–33 vertebrate scales between the parietal and first crossband on the body; poorly visible collar mark on the nape; absence of white lip band.

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Patrick D. Campbell, Sampath S. Seneviratne, Sanjaya Weerakkody, Joshua Mata, Stevie R. Kennedy-Gold, Anusha Aththanagoda, Bhanuka Ranasinghe, Gernot Vogel and Suranjan Karunarathna. 2026. Neotype Designation for Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Species from Sri Lanka. TAPROBANICA. 15(2); DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.422

[Herpetology • 2026] Dasypeltis albigularis • A New Species of ‘black’ egg-eating Snake of the Genus Dasypeltis Wagler (Colubridae: Colubrinae: Boigini)

Dasypeltis albigularis Tiutenko, Heller & Bates, 2026

[A] Dasypeltis atra Sternfeld, 1912 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e205043 

Abstract

Based on morphology, biogeography, biology, and the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis, a new species of Dasypeltis is described from Harenna Forest in the southern Somalian plateau in Ethiopia. It is a medium-sized member of the genus (females up to 92 cm total length, males up to 58 cm), usually uniformly black dorsally but occasionally light brown with a dense and somewhat irregular pattern of narrow brown saddles and vertically elongate lateral markings, sometimes forming bands across the back, and small white spots and streaks, or reddish-brown with indistinct darker dorsal and lateral markings. Interstitial skin is light grey, appearing bluish in adults. Infralabials, chin shields, gulars, and 20–62 anterior ventral plates (medially) are mostly white, the other plates being ash-grey or black in colour. Scales in the first row of dorsals on either side of the body are smooth or almost smooth; those of the second row are weakly keeled; other dorsal scales are moderately keeled with two apical pits each. Pairwise genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener, D. atra, is similar to or greater than the distances between some long-recognised species in the genus. The new species is also geographically and ecologically isolated from closely related congeners.

Key Words: Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov., Dasypeltis atra, Dasypeltis fasciata, Dasypeltis gansi, egg-eater, Harenna Forest, Horn of Africa, Serpentes, Somalia, taxonomy

A. Dasypeltis atra from Chuka, Kenya (ZSM 328/2023);
B. Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. from the Harenna Forest, Ethiopia (ZSM 94/2019).

A patterned specimen (HFE2025-023) of Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. from the Harenna Forest, Ethiopia.

Male Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. (HFE2025-002) from Manyate village, Harenna Forest, Ethiopia. Note the bluish interstitial skin.

Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A medium-sized Dasypeltis (females approximately 90 cm in total length, males less than 60 cm). Dorsally usually uniformly dark-grey or blackish, seldom reddish-brown with faint dark streaks; or light yellow-brown with a dense and irregular pattern of small brown saddles and narrow brown bars on the flanks, and numerous small white markings. Interstitial skin light grey, sometimes bluish, especially in adults. Anterior infralabials, gulars, chin shields and 20–62 anterior ventral plates mostly white, other ventrals gradually transition to ash-grey. Dorsal scales arranged around midbody in 20–23 rows. Scales of the first row of dorsals on either side of the body very weakly keeld or smooth and much larger than other dorsal scales. Scales of the second row on either side of body weakly keeled. Other dorsal scales each with a moderate median keel and a pair of apical pits distally. Head with fine white spots and speckles. Supralabials 7, 3rd and 4th bordering orbit. Postocular single. Frontal shield pitted in only one row around edges. Inter-prefrontal sulcus moderately marked, not deep. Prefrontal scales longer and larger overall than internasals. Rostral shield visible from above head.

Etymology. The specific Latin epithet ‘albigularis’ means ‘white-throated’ and refers to the pale ventral colouration on the lower parts of the head and anterior parts of the body of the new species.

Arthur Tiutenko, Tim L. Heller and Michael F. Bates. 2026. A New Species of ‘black’ egg-eating Snake of the Genus Dasypeltis Wagler (Squamata, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Boigini). Herpetozoa. 39: 343-366. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e205043 [27 Aug 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis langbianus • A New Species of the Ovophis tonkinensis species complex (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam

Ovophis langbianus

Poyarkov, Idiiatullina, Ustinova, Bragin, Le, Pawangkhanant, Pham, Suwannapoom, David, Vogel & Nguyen, 2206

 

Langbian Mountain Pitviper | Rắn lục núi Langbian || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e206094

Abstract

A new species of the genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981, is described from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam, based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular evidence. Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of diagnostic morphological characters and by significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses recover the new species as the sister lineage of O. tonkinensis (Bourret), from which it differs in body proportions, head morphology, color pattern, and several meristic characters. Multivariate analyses of morphological variation further support the distinctiveness of the new species, with specimens of Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. and O. tonkinensis forming two well-separated groups in morphospace and exhibiting significant differences in centroid positions. The new species is currently known only from montane evergreen forests of the Langbian Plateau at elevations of approximately 800–2,230 m asl. The recognition of Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. further emphasizes the taxonomic complexity of the O. tonkinensis species group and, together with previous molecular evidence for a distinct Cao Bang (Vietnam)-Guangxi (China) lineage, highlights the need for a comprehensive reassessment of species boundaries within the complex.

Key Words: Biogeography, molecular phylogeny, morphology, mtDNA, Ovophis langbianus sp. nov., southern Annamite Mountains, systematics

Ovophis langbianus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) TaL/TL ratio 0.14–0.18 in males and 0.12–0.14 in females; (2) internasals usually in contact, rarely separated by one small scale; (3) second supralabial bordering loreal pit; (4) dorsal scale rows 25 (21, 23, 27)–21 (23, 25)–19 (15, 17); (5) ventrals 129–138; (6) dorsal scales strongly keeled; (7) subcaudals 36–44, all single; (8) fourth supralabial larger than third; (9) dorsal surface of head uniformly ...

Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. in life from Langbian Plateau, Vietnam — Lam Dong Province: Bidoup-Nui Ba NP: A. VRTC NAP-18223, adult male, holotype; Di Linh Commune: B. Dorsal view of ZMMU Re-18511, adult male, paratype; C. Head in lateral view of the ZMMU Re-18511; D. ZMMU Re-18512, adult male, paratype; E. Head in lateral view of the ZMMU Re-18512; F, G. Two adult individuals, sex undetermined. Dak Lak Province: — Chu Yang Sin NP: H. ZMMU Re-14068, adult male, paratype; I. Head in dorsal view of the ZMMU Re-14068.

Photographs by A.M. Bragin (A), N.A. Poyarkov (B, C, H, I), P. Pawangkhanant (D, E), and H.N.X. Nguyen (F, G).

Etymology. The specific epithet “langbianus” is a masculine Latin adjective derived from the name of the Langbian Plateau, the broader geographic region containing the type locality and the currently known distribution of the new species. The name highlights the biogeographic isolation of the Langbian Plateau, an important center of montane endemism in Indochina. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Langbian Mountain Pitviper” (in English), “Rắn lục núi Langbian” (in Vietnamese), “Лангбианский горный щитомордник” (Langbianskiy gornyi schitomordnik, in Russian), and “Ovophis de Langbian” (in French).

 Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Darya A. Ustinova, Andrey M. Bragin, Son Xuan Le, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Hieu Minh Pham, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel, Tan Van Nguyen. 2206. A New Species of the Ovophis tonkinensis species complex (Serpentes, Viperidae) from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam. Herpetozoa. 39: 325-342. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e206094 [25-08-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis medogensis • A New Species of the Genus Ovophis (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Xizang, China

 Ovophis medogensis 

 Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Giri & Wang, 2026

墨脱烙铁头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067

Abstract

In 1981, Hoge & Romano-Hoge (1981) erected the genus Ovophis, one of the most widely distributed snake groups in Asia. Its distribution ranges westward from eastern Asia to Nepal, encompassing the entire East Asia and the Indochinese Peninsula. During recent herpetological surveys conducted near Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, a previously undescribed snake species was discovered. Based on integrated morphological and molecular evidence, this species is herein described as a new taxon: Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. This new species can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: possesses off-white spots on the ventral surface; lacks irregular markings on the dorsal surface of the head; body short and stout, with a brown dorsal ground color bearing 19-20 irregular black butterfly-shaped blotches; presence of a brownish-orange postorbital stripe; vertically elliptical pupil, brownish-black in color; dorsal surface of the tail with white dots extending to the tail tip; infralabials: 11 (12)/11 (10); the first and second pairs of infralabials in contact with chin shields; supralabials: mostly 8, occasionally 9; ventrals: 132-138; subcaudals: 39-49, mostly paired; dorsal scale rows 23-23-19; Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species forms a well-supported distinct lineage, with a Bayesian posterior probability (BPP) of 1.00 and an ultrafast bootstrap (UFB) value of 100. Analyses of uncorrected pairwise genetic distances based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene showed that the genetic distances between the new species and other known species of the genus Ovophis range from 0.055 (vs. Ovophis monticola) to 0.135 (vs. Ovophis tonkinensis). The discovery of this new species further enhances our understanding of biodiversity in the eastern Himalayas and provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.

Keywords: Medog, Cryptic diversity, Ovophis medogensis sp. nov., pit-viper, Eastern Himalayas

Photographs of individuals of  Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. (CIB 122660) in life.
Full view (A), dorsal view of head (B), left lateral view of head (C), and right lateral view of head (D).

Photographed by Shengchao SHI. 

The holotype (Adult male, specimen No. CIB 122661) of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in preservation.
Dorsal view of the body (A); ventral view of the body (B); dorsal view of the head (C); ventral view of the head (D); dorsal view of the midbody (E); right lateral view of the head (F); left lateral view of the head (G); ventral view of the midbody (H); lateral view of the midbody (I); dorsal view of the tail (J).

Photographed by Dihao WU.

Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Rohit and Wang  

Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ovophis characterized by the following combination of characters: tail length to total length (TaL/TL) ratio 0.179–0.181 (N=4); internasal scales undivided or separated by 1 scale; second supralabial bordering the loreal pit; dorsal scale rows (DSR) 23(25)–23–19 (N=4); ventrals scales (VEN) 132–138 (N=4), bearing strong keels along the dorsal region; subcaudals scales (SC) 39–49 (N=4), mostly paired with occasional single undivided scales; third supralabial distinctly larger than the fourth (N=4); dorsal surface of the head lacking distinct markings; postocular region to neck with orange-red coloration; neck marked by two approximately parallel stripes; dorsal body brownish-yellow with irregular black, butterfly-shaped blotches; and dorsal surface of the tail or named with a continuous series of white spots.

Comparison of live morphologies of genus Ovophis from the Eastern Himalayan Region. Includes the following specimens: (A1–A3) O . monticola, (B1–B3) O. medogensis sp. nov., and (C1–C3) O. zayuensis.
O . monticola: A1 is one adult individual from Chhaimale, Nepal; A2 is one adult male individual from Majua, West Bengal, India; A3 is one adult male individual from Mangan, Sikkim, India;
O. medogensis sp. nov.: B1 is one juvenile individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B2 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China;
O. zayuensis: C1 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; C2 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China; and C3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China.

Photographic credits: (A1) photographed by Rohit GIRI; (A2, A3) photographed by Prajjwal RAY. (A2, A3) cited from the iNaturalist.org occurrence dataset (https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x) via GBIF.org, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), with record numbers: A2 No. 248018996 and A3 No. 423862755. (B1, B2, C2, C3) photographed by Shengchao SHI, (B3) photographed by Zhonghao LUO, and (C1) photographed by Dihao WU.

Type locality habitat of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in Beibeng Township, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.
A: Microhabitat; B: Overall habitat.

Photographed by Linghong LIAO. 

Etymology: The specific epithet medogensis refers to Medog County, the type locality of this species, and is chosen in recognition of the region’s exceptional herpetological diversity, which has facilitated the discovery of this new taxon. The proposed Chinese common name is “墨脱烙铁头蛇” (Mòtuō Làotiětóu Shé), directly derived from the type locality. The English common name is proposed as “Medog Pitviper”.

Linghong LIAO, Shengchao Shi, Zhonghao Luo, Yun Huang, Yiheng Lin, Rohit Giri and Bin Wang. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067 [May 9, 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Lielaphis slashi • A New Species of Papuan Groundsnake (Squamata: Colubridae: Lielaphis) from New Guinea

 Lielaphis slashi  

Huang, Austin, Bernstein, Iova, Roberts, Frederick & Ruane, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5866.2.6 

 

Abstract

The recently resurrected genus Lielaphis (Squamata: Colubridae) is comprised of 19 medium-sized, terrestrial snakes collectively regarded as groundsnakes. Although found primarily in New Guinea, a biologically megadiverse region with high conservation priorities, Lielaphis remain poorly studied due to their largely homogenous appearance, elusive nocturnal nature, limited records, and complex taxonomic history, leaving high potential for undescribed species still existing within this group. Using high-throughput sequence data of 12 previously described species of Lielaphis and representatives of its sister taxon, Stegonotus, we apply an integrative approach combining genetic analyses with morphological examinations using vouchered specimens to explore the cryptic diversity of Lielaphis. We place particular emphasis on populations occurring on and adjacent to mainland New Guinea. We identify both molecular and morphological evidence for a new species, Lielaphis slashi sp. nov. from the northeastern lowlands of mainland New Guinea, bringing the number of Lielaphis species to 20, along with a potential range extension of L. aplini. Despite the recent resurgence of interest in New Guinea’s snake diversity, our findings highlight persistent knowledge gaps, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive taxonomic studies of the speciose New Guinea herpetofauna.

Reptilia, Morphology, phylogenetics, Serpentes, systematics, taxonomy

Photographs of holotype Lielaphis slashi sp. nov. LSUMZ92332
showing dorsum (A), venter (B), ventral and dorsal sides of head (C), and right and left lateral sides of head (D).

Black bars equal to 100 mm in (A) and (B), and equal to 10 mm in (C) and (D).

Photographs from T. Huang.

 Life photo of a juvenile  Lielaphis slashi sp. nov. (LSUMZ 97666, paratype).

Photograph from C. C. Austin.

Lielaphis slashi sp. nov. 

Slash’s groundsnake

Diagnosis. A new species of Lielaphis that can be diagnosed from its congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: a reddish-brown unpatterned dorsum with an unmarked white or cream venter that may be barely darker towards the subcaudal scales, 17 scale rows at midbody, absence of apical pits, 165−181 ventral scales and 83−107 divided subcaudal scales, two preocular scales, two postocular scales, eight to nine (primarily eight) supralabial scales, eight to ten (primarily ten) infralabial scales, supralabial and infralabial scales cream to light tan, supralabials darker, infralabials may be slightly mottled anteriorly. 

Etymology. The species epithet is a patronym to honor Mr. Saul Hudson, known popularly and professionally as the musician “Slash,” in recognition for his life-long support of museums and zoos, and especially for his love of snakes. Slash has frequently promoted and acted as an advocate for snakes across various media outlets over many years. Senior author SR also credits much of her scientific writing as having occurred while listening to Slash’s music, including that of Slash’s Snakepit, Guns N’ Roses, and Velvet Revolver

TIANQI HUANG, CHRISTOPHER C. AUSTIN, JUSTIN M. BERNSTEIN, BULISA IOVA, JACKSON R. ROBERTS, JEFFREY H. FREDERICK and SARA RUANE. 2026. A New Species of Papuan Groundsnake (Squamata: Colubridae: Lielaphis) from New Guinea.  Zootaxa. 5866(2); 305-319. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5866.2.6 [2026-08-11]

[Herpetology • 2026] Hebius yangi • A New Species of the Hebius atemporalis complex (Serpentes: Natricidae) from southeastern Yunnan, China

Hebius yangi

 Liu, J. Wang, Hou, Deng, Zhang, M. Wang & Rao, 2026

Yang’s Keelback | 杨氏腹链蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1289.189681

Abstract

A new species of the Hebius atemporalis complex is described from Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species can be distinguished from other species of the complex by the differences in the ratio of tail length to total length, the number of ventral and subcaudal scales, the number of maxillary teeth, and the coloration of the iris and anterior body. Phylogenetically, the new species is separated from other species of the complex by an uncorrected p-distance of 6.0–7.8% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. This study further highlights the cryptic diversity in the H. atemporalis complex and the need to re-examine previous records of H. atemporalis and specimens previously considered H. atemporalis from central-southern China, as well as northeastern Vietnam.

Key words: Complex, cytb, keelback snake, morphology, taxonomy, Wenshan Prefecture

The holotype (KIZ2025058) of Hebius yangi sp. nov. in life.
A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view.

Close-up views of the head of the holotype (KIZ2025058) of Hebius yangi sp. nov. in life.
A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Left view; D. Right view.

Hebius yangi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Body size relatively small, SVL 237–306 mm; tail moderately long, TaL/TL 0.32–0.33; dorsal scale rows 17-17-17, all keeled except the outermost rows; ventrals 130–131; subcaudals 80–85, paired; supralabials six, third and fourth entering orbit; infralabials seven; maxillary teeth 32–34, gradually enlarged posteriorly; dorsal surface grayish brown to blackish brown with a series of neatly arranged small orange spots on dorsolateral body on each side; ventral surface of head white, scattered with black streaks on scale sutures; iris brownish gray; lip region black and white alternately; neck collar present, discontinuous.

Etymology. The specific epithet is in commemoration of the late renowned Chinese herpetological taxonomist Prof. Dr Datong Yang. We suggest “Yang’s Keelback” as the common English name and “杨氏腹链蛇” as the common Chinese name.

 Shuo Liu, JiShan Wang, Mian Hou, Tao Deng, Chaowu Zhang, Mo Wang and Dingqi Rao. 2026. A New Species of the Hebius atemporalis complex (Squamata, Natricidae) from southeastern Yunnan, China. ZooKeys. 1289: 141-157. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1289.189681 [11-08-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Nanlingophis nvwa • A New Genus and Species of Dipsadidae (Reptilia: Serpentes) from Guangdong and Hunan Provinces in Southern China

  

Nanlingophis nvwa Chen, Zhang, & Chen, 

in H.-L. Chen, Zhang, G.-X. Liu, Z.-F.Liu, Kwok, Vogel, Wang, Wu and Z.-N. Chen, 2026. 

Nvwa slender snake | 女娲纤蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.5

Abstract  

Nanlingophis nvwa gen. et sp. nov., a new genus and species of the family Dipsadidae, has been identified based on a specimen collected from Tianjingshan National Forest Park in Guangdong Province, southern China. Nanlingophis is assigned to Dipsadidae based on its phylogenetic placement, currently monotypic and it is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: body slender; tail long, TaL/TL 0.314; dorsal scales smooth, rhomboid and juxtaposed, in 13 rows throughout the body; ventrals 163; anal shield divided; subcaudals paired, 110+1 pairs; supralabials 5/5, with the 3rd and 4th entering the orbit; infralabials 5/5; suboculars absent; loreal single and crescent-shaped; temporals 1+1+2; rostral not dorsally recurved; anterior nasal plates not expanded; dorsum yellowish brown, each scale edged dark brown to blackish and forming a reticulate pattern. This combination of characters distinguishes the new genus from all superficially similar genera, especially Stichophanes, Thermophis, Dipsas, Pareas and Aplopeltura.

 Reptilia, Dipsadidae, morphology, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy, Nanlingophis nvwa gen. et. sp. nov

Nanlingophis nvwa sp. nov. in life found in Tianjingshan National Forest Park, Guangdong, China

Genus Nanlingophis Chen, Zhang, & Chen gen. nov. 

Etymology. The genus name Nanlingophis is a combination of the geographic name “Nanling” (referring to the type locality) and suffix “-ophis” (όφις) meaning snake in Greek. The name is treated as masculine in gender.  

Preserved holotype of Nanlingophis nvwa sp. nov. (GXNU2025101605).
A Dorsal view. B Ventral view. Scalebar = 10 mm. Details of the middle section. C Dorsal view, D Lateral view, E Ventral view. F–G: Ventral view of the tail.

Scale bar = 2 mm. 

Nanlingophis nvwa sp. nov. Chen, Zhang, & Chen 

Common English Name: Nvwa slender snake.

Common Chinese Name: 女娲纤蛇 (nǚ wā xiān shé).

Etymology: The specific epithet nvwa is derived from “Nüwa”, a significant deity in Chinese mythology traditionally revered as the creator and protector of life. This is nomenclature was selected to honor the cultural heritage of theYao people residing in the autonomous county where the type specimen was discovered, as some members of thiscommunity trace their ancestry to Nüwa. The nearby Mangshan Yao communities traditionally venerate snakes,a symbol closely linked to Nüwa in folklore. The epithet is used as a nominative noun in apposition and remainsindeclinable. 

 

HUI-LING CHEN, LIANG ZHANG, GUO-XIONG LIU, ZHI-FA LIU, CHI-TAI KWOK, GERNOT VOGEL, JIA-YING WANG, ZHENG-JUN WU and ZE-NING CHEN. 2026. A New Genus and Species of Dipsadidae (Reptilia: Squamata: Serpentes) from Guangdong and Hunan Provinces in Southern China.  Zootaxa. 5849(2); 213-226. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.5 [2026-07-13]

 Researchgate.net/publication/409205318_A_new_genus_and_species_of_Dipsadidae_from_Guangdong_and_Hunan_Provinces_in_Southern_China

[Paleontology • 2026] Tametara mirim • Exceptional Brain and Ecological Diversity in the earliest Snakes

 

Tametara mirim

Simões, Sobral, Macrì, Ebel, Fachini, Martinelli, Nava, Paixão, Chiappe, Di-Poï & Hsiou, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10809-9

Abstract

Understanding the ecological origin of snakes has remained a century-old challenge, hindered by an extremely sparse early fossil record and conflicting interpretations of fossil ecologies. Here we describe an exceptionally preserved Cretaceous fossil snake, Tametara mirim gen. et sp. nov., from Brazil, representing one of the earliest-diverging stem snakes. High-resolution micro-CT scans reveal unprecedented details of cranial nerves, inner ear and brain anatomy, enabling the most integrated reconstruction of stem snake neuroanatomy to date. Quantitative and qualitative endocast analyses demonstrate that Tametara had a brain morphology distinct from both other stem and extant snakes, revealing substantial early neuroanatomical disparity—and probably sensory functions—in snake evolution. Independent evidence from telencephalon shape and bone microstructure converges on a fossorial lifestyle for Tametara and non-fossorial for another stem snake: Dinilysia. These results indicate that major ecological transitions occurred early in snake evolution, and that known stem species do not represent the ancestral condition of crown snakes. Early snake evolution thus involved complex shifts in habitat use and sensory ecology, revealing greater ecological and neuroanatomical diversity than previously thought.

 

Systematic palaeontology

Squamata Oppel, 1811

Serpentes Linnaeus, 1758

Holotype (MPM 420) of Tametara mirim. 
 a, Photograph of the whole specimen with the articulated skull and postcranium in dorsal view. Ant, anterior; Bl, block number; Ce.V., cervical vertebrae; Do.V., dorsal vertebrae; Post, posterior; Sk, skull. b,c, Photographs of the skull in lateral (b) and dorsal (c) view. CB, compound bone; F, frontal; Oto, otoccipital; P, parietal; PFr, postfrontal; Pro, prootic; Ptg, pterygoid; Q, quadrate; Soc, supraoccipital; St, supratemporal. d–g, 3D renderings of an anterior precloacal (‘cervical’) vertebra in lateral (d) and anterolateral (e) views, and mid-precloacal (‘dorsal’) vertebra in dorsal (f) and left lateral (g) views. h–j, 3D renderings of the skull in the right lateral view (h) and with exposed brain endocasts in the right lateral (i) and dorsal (j) views. Mes., mesencephalon; Rho., rhombencephalon; Tel., telencephalon. Scale bars, 100 mm (a), 5 mm (b,c,h–j) and 1 mm (d–g). Specimen photos were taken by A.S.H.

Tametara mirim gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Tametara mirim can be distinguished from all other snakes based on the following combination of characters: postfrontal present but parietal (posterior) process absent*; parietal with posteromedial process present*; supraoccipital with sagittal crest, posterolaterally projecting nuchal crests*, well-developed anterolateral processes* and strongly overlapped by the parietal dorsally; otoccipitals not contacting each other medially (separated by posterior process of supraoccipital); quadrates with quadrate conch, suprastapedial process and pterygoid lappet; posterior surangular foramen present; precloacal vertebrae with well-developed and ventrolaterally oriented ...

Etymology. Tametara, meaning ‘adorned’ (referring to the pronounced sagittal crest of the holotype); mirim, meaning small-sized, in the native Brazilian, Tupí-Guaraní language.

Holotype. MPM 420 (Museu de Paleontologia de Marília, Marília, State of São Paulo, Brazil). Posterior half of a 3D-preserved skull and mandibles articulated with the anterior portion of the postcranium, including 103 presacral vertebrae.

Locality and age. The fossil was discovered by W.R.N. and G.M.X.P. in 2020, in William’s Quarry 2 at Sítio Paleontológico ‘José Martin Suárez’ (Presidente Prudente municipality, State of São Paulo, Brazil); Adamantina Formation, Bauru Group, Bauru Basin, late Santonian to early Campanian age (approximately 85–75 million years ago (Ma))22.

 

Tiago R. Simões, Gabriela Sobral, Simone Macrì, Roy Ebel, Thiago S. Fachini, Agustín G. Martinelli, William R. Nava, Giovanna M. X. Paixão, Luis M. Chiappe, Nicolas Di-Poï and Annie S. Hsiou. 2026. Exceptional Brain and Ecological Diversity in the earliest Snakes. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10809-9 [22 July 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Trimeresurus hongheensis • Integrative Taxonomy identifies A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Yunnan Province, China

 

Trimeresurus hongheensis

Liang, Ding, Wang, Vogel, Shi, Gong, Wu & Chen, 2025 

 

红河竹叶青  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2097-3772.2025.022

Abstract 

The genus Trimeresurus currently contains at least 56 recognized species of venomous terrestrial to arboreal species distributed across South and Southeast Asia. We collected several specimens of the subgenus Viridovipera in Yunnan Province, China in recent years. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis, we confirm that Trimeresurus yunnanensis is distributed in the west of the Honghe River in Yunnan Province and the Trimeresurus species living along the lower reaches of the Honghe River Basin and adjacent areas is an undescribed taxon. The new species Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all known congeners by the pairwise genetic divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome-b (p-distance≥5.0%) and 16S rRNA gene fragment (p-distance≥0.5%), and morphologically by the combination of the following characters: (1) hemipenes short and strongly spinose, with deep bifurcation; (2) a white postocular stripe bordered above and below by red or only a white postocular stripe present in males; postocular stripe white or absent in females; (3) the ventrolateral stripe is red (below) and white (above) in males and white in females; (4) iris brick red or sepia in males; iris yellow or rusty-red in females; (5) VEN 150–165 in males and 157–165 in females; SC 61–76 in males and 56–61 in females; (6) dorsal tail mostly rusty red; (7) 9–12 cephalic scales; (8) 19 or 21 dorsal scale rows at mid-body; (9) first supralabial completely separated from the nasal scale.

Keywords: Mitochondrial DNA, Morphology, Honghe River, Phylogenetics, Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov., Viridovipera

Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov. in Yunnan, China, males (Left) and females (Right) in life
 A: Mingjiu, Mengzi (Holotype GXNU251201). B: Mingjiu, Mengzi (GXNU251218). C: Yuanjiang (Paratype GXNU251204). D: Yuanjiang (Paratype GXNU251205). E: Mt. Dawei, Pingbian County, Yunnan (Paratype GXNU251219). F: Yuanjiang (Paratype GXNU251203).

Photos by Li Ding.

Holotype (adult male GXNU251201) of Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov. 
A: Dorsal view of head; B: Ventral view of head; C: Lateral view of head; D: Lateral view of middle body; E: Dorsal view of the specimen; F: Ventral view of the specimen.

Photos by Sheng-Chao Shi. Scale bars: 10 mm (A, B, C, D); 3 cm (E, F).

Comparison of head shape and coloration between males and females in Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov. Left, dorsal view of head; right, lateral view of head.
A & B: Specimen GXNU251201 (holotype, male); C & D: Specimen GXNU251219 (paratype, male); E & F: Specimen GXNU251205 (paratype, female); G & H: GXNU251218 (female). A & C: Different head shape in males (more elongated skull vs short skull); B & D: Different iris color in males (brick red vs sepia); E & G: Different head shape in females (more elongated skull vs short skull); F & H: Different postocular stripe (present vs absent) and different iris color (yellow vs rusty-red) in females.

Photos by Sheng-Chao Shi.

 Trimeresurus hongheensis sp. nov. 

Etymology: The new species name “hongheensis” refers to its type locality, the area around the Honghe River Basin, which is a boundary of the new species and T. yunnanensis. For common name we suggested as “Honghe green pit-viper” in English and “Hóng hé Zhú Yè Qīng (红河竹叶青)” in Chinese.

Diagnosis: (1) Head and body dorsum dark green, venter yellow green or light green. (2) 80% of the tail is rusty red, gradually fusing backwards, with dark red at the end of the tail. (3) Interstitial skin black. (4) Head dark green above, light yellow or light green below, clearly defined. (5) Iris brick red or sepia in males; iris yellow or rusty-red in females. (6) A white postocular stripe bordered above and below by red or only a white postocular stripe present in males, occupying only about 1–2 rows of scales across; postocular stripe white or absent in females. (7) Vivid, broad, bicolored ventrolateral stripe, red below and white above in males, covering 1–2 scales thick; thin white ventrolateral stripe present on the first row of DSR in females. (8) First supralabials separated from nasals. (9) Internasals separated by 0–2 scale. (10) Supraoculars separated by 9–12 smooth cephalic scales. (11) Head scales feebly keeled; 19 or 21 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, feebly keeled except for the outermost rows; VEN 150–165 in males (n=10), 157–165 in females (n=7); SC 61–76 in males (n=7), 56–61 in females (n=7). (12) Tail length to total length ratio (TaL/TL) 0.172–0.204 in males (n=7), 0.145–0.160 in females (n=7). (13) Hemipenes short and strongly spinose, with deep bifurcation.

 

Ya-Ting Liang, Li Ding, Xin Wang, Gernot Vogel, Sheng-Chao Shi, Xiong Gong, Zheng-Jun Wu and Ze-Ning Chen. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy identifies A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) from Yunnan Province, China. Zoological Research: Diversity and Conservation. 2(3): 182-195. DOI: doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2097-3772.2025.022

[Herpetology • 2026] Trachischium lalremsangai • A New Species of Fossorial Snake of the Genus Trachischium Günther, 1858, from the Indo–Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

Trachischium lalremsangai 

Bhardwaj, Bal, Tluanga & Mirza, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e187919  

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Abstract

A new species of fossorial natricine snake, Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov., is described from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The holotype was collected from Murlen National Park, Mizoram, near the India–Myanmar border, while the paratype originated from Haka Township, Chin State, Myanmar. Based on morphological and molecular data, the new species is related to T. reticulata (Blyth); however, it can be diagnosed from members of the genus Trachischium by possessing 13 dorsal scale rows, two postoculars, one anterior temporal scale, and two posterior temporal scales, in addition to distinctive colouration and other scalation details. The discovery of several new snake species within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot underscores the need for increased research efforts and funding dedicated to this region in the near future.

Key Words: Blythia, Colubridae, Myanmar, Natricinae, northeast India, phylogeny, taxonomy

Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov. holotype male MZMU 3757 in situ.

Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large-sized member of the genus reaching SVL of 351–432 mm. Dorsal scales smooth and iridescent, arranged in 13 rows throughout the body. Supralabials 5–6, 3rd and 4th in contact with orbit. Paired prefrontals; a pair of postoculars. Temporals 1+2. Ventrals 135 (+3–4 preventrals) and 28–29 subcaudals paired. Dorsum brown and ventrally, anterior one quarter of the snake is creamish white, while the rest is a shade of brown that has sparse white speckles.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honouring Prof. Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga of Mizoram University for his contributions to herpetology in Northeast India, his guidance to numerous students, and his facilitation of research throughout the region and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

 Virender K. Bhardwaj, Amit K. Bal, Chhangte L. Tluanga and Zeeshan A. Mirza. 2026. A New Species of Fossorial Snake of the Genus Trachischium Günther, 1858, from the Indo–Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Herpetozoa. 39: 203-215. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e187919 [19 May 2026]

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