Wednesday, November 30, 2011

[Herpetology • 1999] Opisthotropis cheni • Redescription & Expanded Description of a Chinese Endemic Snake


Opisthotropis cheni Zhao, 1999


1999: Description
2005: Redescription
2010: Expanded Description

A Re-description of Opisthotropis cheni Zhao, 1999 (Serpentes: Colubridae)
Zhao Er-mi(Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041)
Colubrid species Opisthotropis cheni Zhao, 1999 was named by the author five years ago (see inside front cover of number 3, volume 18 of Sichuan Journal of Zoology), but a diagnosis was given only. In this paper a re-description for the newly known species is contributed, and CIB series-number of three of the types preserved in Chengdu Institute of Biology is also given here.

Key Words: Opisthotropis cheni, re-description, Hunan Province, Yizhang County, Mt. Mang



Abstract
Based on seven newly-collected specimens, we provide an expanded description for the rare Chinese snake Opisthotropis cheni. The new specimens are consistent with the type series in scale counts and body dimensions. However, two individuals lack yellow cross-bands that are apparent in the type specimens. A key to the ten Chinese species of Opisthotropis is provided.

Keywords: snake, Opisthotropis cheni, morphology, China

Zhao E. M. 1999. Diagnoses of a new frog and a new snake from China. Sichuan J Zool, 18: Front cover II
Zhao E. M. 2005. A re-description of Opisthotropis cheni Zhao, 1999 (Serpentes: Colubridae). Sichuan J Zool, 24: 342–343
Li C., Liu Q. and Guo P. 2010. Expanded Description of a Chinese Endemic Snake Opisthotropis cheni (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae). Asian Herpetological Research. 1 (1): 57-60