A new cryptic species of green pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804

A new cryptic species of green pit viper is described from northeast India, based on specimens collected from the state of Mizoram and Meghalaya. The new species is a member of the subgenus Viridovipera and is sister to Trimeresurus medoensis based on molecular data for mitochondrial cytochrome b ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2022-05, Vol.17 (5), p.e0268402
Main Authors: Rathee, Yashpal Singh, Purkayastha, Jayaditya, Lalremsanga, Hmar Tlawmte, Dalal, Siddharth, Biakzuala, Lal, Muansanga, Lal, Mirza, Zeeshan A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Genetic aspects
Identification and classification
Snakes
Online Access:Get full text
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Description
Summary:A new cryptic species of green pit viper is described from northeast India, based on specimens collected from the state of Mizoram and Meghalaya. The new species is a member of the subgenus Viridovipera and is sister to Trimeresurus medoensis based on molecular data for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, whereas resembles Trimeresurus gumprechti morphologically. A combination of characters helps delimit the new species from its congeners. Description of the new species highlights the need for dedicated surveys across northeast India to document its reptilian diversity, as this represents the third new species of the genus to be described in the past three years.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0268402