A new moth-preying alpine pit viper species from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Viperidae, Crotalinae). Supplementary Material
Jingsong Shi
Gang Wang
Xi’er Chen
Yihao Fang
Li Ding
Song Huang
Mian Hou
Jun Liu
Pipeng Li
10.6084/m9.figshare.5612782.v1
https://brill.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_new_moth-preying_alpine_pit_viper_species_from_Qinghai-Tibetan_Plateau_Viperidae_Crotalinae_Supplementary_Material/5612782
The Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of alpine mammals but a barren
area in terms of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we describe a new pit viper
species, <i>Gloydius rubromaculatus </i>sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was
discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus <i>Gloydius</i>.
The new species can be distinguished from the other congeneric species by the
following characteristics: cardinal crossbands on the back, indistinct canthus
rostralis, glossy dorsal scales, colubrid-like oval head shape, irregular small
black spots on the head scales, black eyes and high altitude distribution
(3300-4770 m above sea level). The mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstruction
supported the validity of the new species and furthermore reaffirms that <i>G. intermedius
changdaoensis</i>, <i>G. halys cognatus</i>, <i>G. h. caraganus </i>and <i>G.
h. stejnegeri </i>should be elevated as full species. <i>Gloydius
rubromaculatus </i>sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths
(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, <i>Sideridis </i>sp.) in the wild. This unusual diet
may be one of the key factors to the survival of this species in such a harsh
alpine environment.
2017-11-17 13:25:00
Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n.
insectivorous
new species
Sanjiangyuan region
Zoology
Animal Systematics and Taxonomy
Molecular Biology
Biogeography and Phylogeography