A new species of the genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Colubridae) from Guangdong Province, southern China

Abstract

A new species, Rhabdophis guangdongensis sp. nov., is described from the Guangdong Province, China. It can be easily distinguished from other known congeners by cyt b and c-mos sequences, and by the following combination of morphological characters: body size small; head distinct from the neck; 20 maxillary teeth, the three most posterior teeth strongly enlarged, and not separated by diastemata from other teeth; six supralabials, the third and fourth touching the eye; seven infralabials, the first four in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 15 rows throughout the body, weakly keeled, the outer row smooth; 126 ventrals; 39 paired subcaudals; anal scale divided; 44 pairs of narrow dorsolateral black cross-bars on body and 15 pairs on tail; body and tail with two dorsolateral longitudinal brownish-red lines, respectively with a series of white spots in cross-bars. The description of this new species brings the total number of described species of this genus to 21 and represents the tenth known Rhabdophis species in China.

The Nucho-dorsal Glands of Rhabdophis guangdongensis (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae), with Notes on Morphological Variation and Phylogeny Based on Additional Specimens

“…2). These phylogenetic results, combined with the distinctive coloration and morphological characteristics of these specimens, are consistent with the original description of R. guangdongensis (Zhu et al, 2014; see below), confirming the identity of these new specimens.…”

“…The hemipenes were examined in one specimen (SICAU20160801-91). Identification of these five individuals was based on the description by Zhu et al (2014) and confirmed by our molecular analysis. Fresh liver tissue was collected from all specimens and immediately preserved in 95% ethanol.…”

“…Rhabdophis guangdongensis was first described by Zhu et al (2014) based on a female specimen (filed No. SYS r000018) from Aizhai Village, Renhua County, Guangdong Province, China.…”

Evolution of nuchal glands, unusual defensive organs of Asian natricine snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae), inferred from a molecular phylogeny

“…(2014) Rhabdophis leonardi _1HT0851China LC325300 LC325747 LC326012 This study Rhabdophis leonardi*_ 2HT0852China LC325300 ––This study Rhabdophis leonardi*_ 3HT0853China LC325300 ––This study Rhabdophis leonardi _4RDQ200905367China KF800932 KF800922 –Zhu et al. (2014) Rhabdophis murudensis HT0788Malaysia LC325341 LC325787 –This study Rhabdophis nigrocinctus _1HT0253Thailand LC325307 LC325753 LC326015 This study Rhabdophis nigrocinctus _2HT0343Thailand …”

Complete mitochondrial genome of Rhabdophis guangdongensis (Squamata: Colubridae)

“…Rhabdophis guangdongensis was decribed by Zhu (Zhu et al 2014). Presently, Genus Rhabdophis, including 22 species, is widely distributed in East Asia and South Asia (http:// www.reptile-database.org/).…”