Researchers genomic information from pit vipers of the Trimeresurus erythrurus–purpureomaculatus advanced are a definite species based mostly on ” sturdy inhabitants genetic and species delimitation analyses.” Primarily based off their new information, the brand new species Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. shares morphological traits with T. erythrurus and T. purpureomaculatus and are carefully associated.
The researchers decided that some specimens of Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis range within the blotches of coloration on their inexperienced dorsal coloration. Whereas some have darkish dorsal blotches, others of the identical species are absent any distinct dorsal blotches. These specimens with darkish dorsal blotches share the identical blotched trait with T. purpureomaculatus however not T. erythrurus.
Trimeresurus species in Myanmar A T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 213410) from Hlawga Wildlife Park, Yangon Area (photograph by CAS-Myanmar Herpetology Survey group, CAS-MHS) B T. erythrurus (CAS 235958) from Phalum District, Chin State (photograph by Hla tun) C T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 219764) from Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary, Pyapon District, Ayeyarwady Area (photograph by Hla tun) D T. ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov. (CAS 212245) from Mwe Hauk Village, Ayeyarwady Area (photograph by Dong Lin).
The researchers studied each anesthetized dwell specimens and specimens present in collections on the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), College of Florida (UF), Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NMW), Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard College (MCZ), and the Pure Historical past Museum London (NHMUK/BMNH). A genomic examine into the inhabitants genetics of the advanced discovered that gene movement was current between the snakes, with much less gene movement occurring in T. purpureomaculatus. The genomic information positioned T. ayeyarwadyensis as a brand new sister species to T. erythrurus.
Venomous Pitviper Species of the Trimeresurus albolabris Advanced Described
Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis was discovered to happen within the Yangon area’s Hlawga Park and Pyapon and Myaungmya districts of Myanmar. The venomous snake feminine holotype had a complete size of 1008.3 mm with a snout to vent size of 935 mm. It’s inexperienced in coloration with vague darkish dorsal markings and a definite pale dorsolateral stripe. This stripe covers 90 % of the primary scale row, the examine says. The stripe additionally extends to the second scale row.
The whole paper, A brand new species of pit-viper from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon areas in Myanmar (Viperidae, Trimeresurus) might be learn on the Zookey’s web site.
