AMRE_3134_Shi et al._Supplementary material.pdf (936.21 kB)
Download fileA new moth-preying alpine pit viper species from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Viperidae, Crotalinae). Supplementary Material
journal contribution
posted on 2017-11-17, 13:25 authored by Jingsong Shi, Gang Wang, Xi’er Chen, Yihao Fang, Li Ding, Song Huang, Mian Hou, Jun Liu, Pipeng LiThe 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, Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was
discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Gloydius.
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 G. intermedius
changdaoensis, G. halys cognatus, G. h. caraganus and G.
h. stejnegeri should be elevated as full species. Gloydius
rubromaculatus sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths
(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sideridis 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.