Achalinus hunanensis

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Achalinus hunanensis
Temporal range: Chibanian - recent, [1] 0.48–0  Ma
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Xenodermidae
Genus: Achalinus
Species:
A. hunanensis
Binomial name
Achalinus hunanensis
Ma, Shi, Xiang, Shu & Jiang, 2023

Achalinus hunanensis, also known as the Hunan odd-scaled snake or Hunan burrowing snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. It is endemic to the province of Hunan in China. [1]

Taxonomy

A. hunanensis is known from two specimens were collected during field work in Hunan. The holotype, collected in early May 2013, was initially reported as the first known occurrence of Achalinus ater in Hunan, [2] but this placement is now known to be a misidentification, and A. ater is no longer believed to range into Hunan. Morphological and molecular analyses found that the two specimens were distinct from other known species of Achalinus , and thus they were described in 2023 as a new species. The specific name refers to Hunan Province, where the species is believed to be endemic. [1]

Phylogeny and evolution

Molecular analysis suggests the closest living relative of Achalinus hunanensis is Achalinus ningshanensis , though the two groups already show a genetic differentiation. The ranges of the two species do not overlap and are separated by the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. The two species are estimated to have diverged approximately 0.48 Mya, broadly coinciding with the formation of the Three Gorges (0.30 ~ 0.12 Mya), suggesting the Gorges drove the allopatric speciation of these snakes. [1] [3]

Description

The Hunan odd-scaled snake reaches a total length of 329 mm, with a SVL of 255 mm. It has a slender, cylindrical body with 23 rows of lanceolate, strongly keeled dorsal scales. The head is slightly distinct from the neck, with small eyes and 23 small, curved maxillary teeth of equal size. The dorsal surface is a dark, slightly metallic color in living individuals, with a yellowish patch on the head occipital. Preserved specimens are mostly brown in color. [1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is believed to be endemic to Hunan province. It is currently known from two specimens: the holotype was found near a mountain stream with shrubs under subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest in Huangyan Village, Hecheng District, Huaihua, and the paratype was discovered in Wazizhai, Ningxiang County, Changsha. [1]

Ecology

The holotype specimen was discovered moving from leaf litter to a stream at night, suggesting the species may be nocturnal. Earthworms are speculated to be prey for this species based on their presence in the same location as the holotype and the dietary habits of related species. [1]

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Achalinus rufescens, also known as rufous burrowing snake and Boulenger's odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae.

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<i>Achalinus meiguensis</i> Species of snake

Achalinus meiguensis, commonly known as the Sichuan odd-scaled snake or Szechwan odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. The species is endemic to China and occurs in western Sichuan and Yunnan at elevations of 1200–1400 m.

Achalinus hainanus, also known as the Hainan odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. It is endemic to the island of Hainan in China.

Achalinus zugorum is a species of snake described in 2020 from the Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, discovered by Ari Miller. It is dark in color or iridescent, with scales morphing from blues to greens. It is named for George R. and Patricia B. Zug. Accordingly, the common name Zugs' odd-scaled snake has been coined for this species.

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Lycodon cathaya, the Huaping wolf snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is a slender species with a total length of 562.5–910.6 cm (221.5–358.5 in), a snout–vent length of 451.4–730.1 cm (177.7–287.4 in), and tail length of 111.1–180.5 cm (43.7–71.1 in). The upper side of the head is brownish-black with a grey-tinged rose collar band, while the underside of the head is mostly whitish. The upper side of the body is brownish-black with grey-tinged rose bands that divide the brownish-black ground colour into elliptical patches. The middle of the underside has irregular brownish-black splotches making an unbroken strip along the underside with two greyish-white lines along its sides. The Huaping wolf snake can be distinguished from other wolf snakes by a combination of its scalation and coloration.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ma, Shun; Shi, Sheng-Chao; Xiang, Sun-Jun; Shu, Fu; Jiang, Jian-Ping (2023-06-13). "A new species of Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Squamata, Xenodermidae) from Hunan Province, China". ZooKeys (1166): 315–331. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1166..315M. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.103055 . ISSN   1313-2970.
  2. Gao, Zhiwei; Qian, Tianyu; Jiang, Jianping; Hou, Dejia; Deng, Xuejian; Yang, Daode (2022-02-20). "Species diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Hunan Province, China". Biodiversity Science. 30 (2): 21290. doi: 10.17520/biods.2021290 . ISSN   1005-0094.
  3. Zhang, XB; Liu, Y; Wang, SJ; Liu, WM; Xue, WX (2018). "On the chronology of the Yellow Rivers and Yangtze Rivers". Mountain Research (in Chinese). 36 (5): 661–668.