A new species of the genus Smithophis (Squamata: Serpentes: Natricidae) from southwestern China and northeastern Myanmar

Abstract

A new species of natricid snake, Smithophis linearis sp. nov., is described on the basis of a single recently collected specimen from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, and three historical specimens from Yunnan and from northeastern Myanmar. The new species is assigned to the genus Smithophis on the basis of its single internasal and single prefrontal shields, and on the basis of the results of phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequence data. The new species differs from its congeners in having the following combination of characters: temporal shields present, six or more circumorbital scales, and a distinctive colour pattern comprising regular, narrow, longitudinal dark and pale lines. Morphological and cytochrome b data are consistent with the recognition of Smithophis as distinct from the genus Opisthotropis. A revised key to the identification of the species of Smithophis is provided.

DNA barcoding of Chinese snakes reveals hidden diversity and conservation needs

“…Muscle or liver tissues were collected from each specimen and fixed in 95% ethanol, and voucher specimens were then fixed in a 5% formalin solution and subsequently transferred into 70% ethanol for permanent storage. Along with colleagues, we performed morphological identifications using the snake identification keys of Zhao (2006) and recent taxonomic literature (e.g., Chen et al, 2019;Ren et al, 2017;Shi et al, 2018;Vogel et al, 2020;Wang, Ren, et al, 2020;Yang & Zheng, 2018). In addition, COI sequences deposited in GenBank from additional Chinese snake species and localities were also included in the analyses (downloaded by 31 December 2020).…”

“…New species and new country and provincial records of snakes are continuously reported from China (e.g., Cai et al, 2020;Che et al, 2020;Chen et al, 2019;Janssen et al, 2020;Murphy, 2016;Ren et al, 2017;Shi et al, 2018;Vogel et al, 2020;Wang, Li, et al, 2019;Wang, Ren, et al, 2019;Yang & Zheng, 2018). Cryptic diversity of Chinese snakes is also routinely reported (Guo et al, 2015;Li et al, 2020;Zhu et al, 2022), suggesting that species diversity in China remains underestimated and warrants further study.…”

“…At present, 283 species of snakes have been reported from China, representing 8% of the world's snake diversity, and of which at least 60 species are endemic to China (31 December 2020, Chen, Wu, et al, 2021; Uetz, 2020; Wang, Ren, et al, 2020). New species and new country and provincial records of snakes are continuously reported from China (e.g., Cai et al, 2020; Che et al, 2020; Chen et al, 2019; Guo, Zhu, & Liu, 2019; Janssen et al, 2020; Murphy, 2016; Ren et al, 2017; Shi et al, 2018; Vogel et al, 2020; Wang, Li, et al, 2019; Wang, Ren, et al, 2019; Yang & Zheng, 2018). Cryptic diversity of Chinese snakes is also routinely reported (Guo et al, 2015; Li et al, 2020; Zhu et al, 2022), suggesting that species diversity in China remains underestimated and warrants further study.…”