Redescription and systematics of trimeresurus cornutus (Serpentes : Viperidae) based on morphology and molecular data

    Authors

    H. W. Herrmann; T. Ziegler; A. Malhotra; R. S. Thorpe;C. L. Parkinson

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Herpetologica

    Keywords

    distribution; habitat; hemipenial morphology; molecular systematics; Protobothtops; redescription; serpentes; Trimersurus corntus; Vietnam; viperidae; SUBSTITUTION; PHYLOGENY; EVOLUTION; HYPOTHESIS; PITVIPERS; MODEL; Zoology

    Abstract

    We redescribe Trimeresurus cornutus, a species that has not been reported for more than half a century, based on a recently collected live specimen from the Annamite Mountains of Central Vietnam. Besides new data on the distribution and habitat, we compare coloration and morphological data of the first known male of the species with the type specimen and a third known specimen from North Vietnam. We describe male genital morphology and analyze the systematic relationships of the species using external morphology, hemipenial morphology and molecular data. A phylogenetic hypothesis, based on four mitochondrial genes, suggests that the species is most closely related to Protobothrops jerdonii. The external morphology and hemipenial morphology are consistent with this placement. Based on the few specimens available, Protobothrops cornutus comb. nov. exhibits a very patchy distribution, with an altitudinal range reaching from 150-2000 m.

    Journal Title

    Herpetologica

    Volume

    60

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2004

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    211

    Last Page

    221

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000221467500007

    ISSN

    0018-0831

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