| Achalinus hunanensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Yangtze or Yangzi is the longest river in Eurasia, the third-longest in the world, and the longest in the world to flow entirely within one country. It rises at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau and flows 6,300 km (3,915 mi) in a generally easterly direction to the East China Sea. It is the fifth-largest primary river by discharge volume in the world. Its drainage basin comprises one-fifth of the land area of China, and is home to nearly one-third of the country's population.
Hubei is an inland province of China, and is part of the Central China region. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Dongting Lake. The provincial capital, Wuhan, serves as a major transportation hub and the political, cultural, and economic hub of central China.
Mamenchisaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur known for their remarkably long necks which made up nearly half the total body length. Numerous species have been assigned to the genus; however, the validity of these assignments has been questioned. Fossils have been found in the Sichuan Basin and Yunnan Province in China. Several species from the Upper Shaximiao Formation, whose geologic age is uncertain, have been described. However, evidence suggests this formation to be no earlier than the Oxfordian stage of the Late Jurassic. M. sinocanadorum dates to the Oxfordian stage, and M. anyuensis to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Most species were medium-large to large sauropods, measuring roughly 15 to 26 meters in length—possibly up to 35 meters (115 ft), based on two undescribed vertebrae.
Gongxianosaurus is a genus of basal sauropod dinosaur from the early Jurassic Period. The only species is Gongxianosaurus shibeiensis. Based on four fragmentary to complete specimens found in China, it is one of the most completely known early sauropods. The skeleton is known in large part, missing both the hand and the majority of the skull. Gongxianosaurus was firstly named and described in a short note published in 1998; however, a comprehensive description has yet to be published. Gongxianosaurus shibeiensis was named for the place it was found, near the village Shibei in Gong County.
Lotosaurus is an extinct genus of sail-backed poposauroid known from Hunan Province of central China.
Achalinus is a genus of harmless snakes in the family Xenodermidae. They are found in Japan, Taiwan, China, and northern Vietnam. Ten species are currently recognized. Achalinus was previously placed in Colubridae. Nicknamed 'odd-scaled' due to the fact their scales do not overlap one another like most snakes, but instead are spread out and lie individually similar to pieces of a puzzle. They are also known to be burrowers who crawl below the fallen leaves of the forest.
Protobothrops xiangchengensis, commonly known as the Szechwan pit viper, Kham Plateau pitviper, or Sichuan lancehead, is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Hengduan Mountains in south-central China. No subspecies are currently recognized.
The baiji is a possibly extinct species of freshwater dolphin native to the Yangtze river system in China. It is thought to be the first dolphin species driven to extinction due to the impact of humans. This dolphin is listed as “critically endangered: possibly extinct” by the IUCN, has not been seen in 40 years, and several surveys of the Yangtze have failed to find it. In China, the species is also called the Chinese river dolphin, Han river dolphin, Yangtze dolphin and whitefin dolphin. Nicknamed the "Goddess of the Yangtze", it was regarded as the goddess of protection by local fishermen and boatmen. It is not to be confused with the Chinese white dolphin or the finless porpoise. This is the only species in the genus Lipotes.
Achalinus jinggangensis, commonly known as Zong's odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. The species is endemic to the Jinggang Mountains in Jiangxi Province, China.
Saurosphargidae is an extinct family of marine reptiles known from the Early Triassic and early Middle Triassic of Europe and China.
Achalinus niger, common name black odd-scaled snake or black burrowing snake, is a snake in family Xenodermatidae that is endemic to Taiwan.
Achalinus formosanus, common name Formosan odd-scaled snake or Taiwan burrowing snake, is a non-venomous snake in family Xenodermidae that is found in Taiwan and in the southern Ryukyu Islands (Japan).
Oligodon huahin, the Hua Hin kukri snake, is a species of kukri snakes in the genus Oligodon. The species was first discovered and described in late 2016, and the article was published July 13, 2017. It is only known from its type locality but its range is likely to be more extensive. O. huahin is thought to be very secretive, similar to other species of the genus Oligodon. This theory is supported by the type specimen, which all were males, suggesting that it was found during the mating season where males are out and actively search for females to reproduce. This may also explain why this species had not yet been discovered
Achalinus rufescens, also known as rufous burrowing snake and Boulenger's odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae.
Achalinus ater, commonly known as Bourret's odd-scaled snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae.
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.
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.
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