The Asian pitviper genus Ovophis is a group of venomous snakes widely distributed in mid to high elevation mountains in Asia, and presently five species are recognised. However, its systematics, species diversity and species distribution boundaries remain poorly understood. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and explored species diversity of Chinese Ovophis based on two mitochondrial fragments (Cyt b and ND4) and four nuclear genes (BACH1, c-mos, Rag1, NT3) and also conducted a morphological comparison between focal species. Our results indicated that the species diversity had been underestimated within Ovophis and we described a population from southern Yunnan, China, as a new taxon, naming it as Ovophis malhotrae sp. nov. Based on more extensive sampling, we redefined the distribution of O. monticola and O. makazayazaya in China. Divergence date estimation suggested that Ovophis originated at about 16.79 Ma in the middle Miocene.

Dispersal plays a vital role in the geographical distribution, population genetic structure, quantity dynamics, and evolution of a species. Sex‐biased dispersal is common among vertebrates and many studies have documented a tendency toward male‐biased dispersal in mammals and female‐biased dispersal in birds. However, dispersal patterns in reptiles remain poorly understood. In this study, we explored the genetic diversity and dispersal patterns of the widely distributed Asian pitviper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus . In total, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were screened in 150 snakes (48 males, 44 females, 58 samples without sex information) covering most of their distribution. Microsatellite analysis revealed high genetic diversity in P . mucrosquamatus . Bayesian clustering of population assignment identified two major clusters for all populations, somewhat inconsistent with the mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of P . mucrosquamatus reported in previous research. Analyses based on 92 sex‐determined and 37 samples of P . mucrosquamatus from three small sites in Sichuan, China (Mingshan, Yibin, and Zizhong) consistently suggested female‐biased dispersal in P . mucrosquamatus , which is the first example of this pattern in snakes. The female‐biased dispersal patterns in P . mucrosquamatus may be explained by local resource competition.

Based on molecular evidence and morphological data, we describe a new species Raorchestes yadongensis sp. nov. from Yadong County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be distinguished based on a combination of the following characters: (1) small body size, SVL 17.8–24.1 mm in adult males; (2) head wider than long; (3) eye diameter about three times as much as tympanum diameter; (4) tympanum distinct; (5) fingers with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral dermal fringes; relative finger lengths I < II < IV < III; number of subarticular tubercles in fingers 1, 1, 2, 1; (6) toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral dermal fringes; relative toe lengths I < II < III < V < IV; number of subarticular tubercles in toes 1, 1, 2, 3, 2; inner metatarsal tubercle distinct, outer metatarsal tubercle absent; (7) tips of fingers and toes present discs, and discs pale brown or yellow in life; (8) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the tip of snout when adpressed; (9) milky nuptial pad present on the dorsal surface of first finger; (10) dorsal surface light brown with white warts, ventral surface with irregular white patches. The new species is currently known in Yadong County, Xizang, China, but may also occur in neighboring Bhutan and India. A key to Chinese species of the genus Raorchestes is also provided.