Limestone jewel: A new colourful karst-dwelling pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the poorly explored borderlands of southern peninsular Thailand

• DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e109854
• Publication Date: 2023-09-19T10:45:12Z
• Authors: Sabira S. Idiiatu...; Parinya Pawangkha...; Tanapong Tawan; Thanawut Worranuch; Bunyarit Dechochai; Chatmongkon Suwan...; Tan Van Nguyen; Lawan Chanhome; Nikolay A. Poyarkov
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Reptilia; Ecology and Behavior of Bats; Species Delimitation; Sarcopterygii; Phylogenetic Analysis of Spiders and Their Evolution; Cytochrome b; Amniota; Gene; Biochemistry; 01 natural sciences; Trimeresurus ciliaris sp. nov.; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; taxonomy; Gnathostomata; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; morphology; Squamata; Viperidae; Genetics; Animalia; Trimeresurus; Chordata; Biology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Vertebrata; Tetrapoda; Global and Planetary Change; Genus; Ecology; Trimeresurus sabahi; Malaysia; Life Sciences; Biodiversity; Global Amphibian Declines and Extinctions; Biota; phylogenetics; QL1-991; Osteichthyes; FOS: Biological sciences; Environmental Science; Physical Sciences; Trimeresurus kanburiensis species complex; Crotalinae; Zoology; Thai-Malay Peninsula; Phylogenetic tree

Abstract We describe a new species of pitvipers from Trang Province Thailand, near the Thailand–Malaysian border, based on morphological and molecular (2427 bp cyt b , ND4, 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes) lines evidence. Morphologically, Trimeresurus ciliaris sp. nov. is distinguished its congeners by following combination characters: long papillose hemipenis; first supralabial nasal scale fused; three to four small supraocular scales; internasals not in contact; between formed fused second loreal present; dorsal scales 17–17–15 rows across body; ventral 172–175 males, 171 female; subcaudal 59–63 61 female, all paired; life an emerald-green dorsum with reddish-brown bands; creamy-white venter lacking dark dots or stripes lateral sides ventrals; white vertebral spots present both sexes every two brown forming discontinuous pattern 1–3 rows; males postocular stripe. The forms distinct clade phylogenetic tree genus differs morphologically similar T. venustus significant divergence cytochrome gene sequences ( p = 12.5%). currently known karstic area Nakawan Range spanning border Thailand Malaysia, particular limestone forests Satun provinces (Thailand); it likely also occurs adjacent parts Perlis State (Malaysia). Our study suggests that taxonomy kanburiensis complex requires further studies; our status populations Chumphon Pulau Langkawi Island Malaysia should be re-assessed.