A new species of snake of the genus Oligodon Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Reptilia, Serpentes) from the Western Himalayas

• DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.72564
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02T17:05:47Z
• Authors: Zeeshan A. Mirza; Virender Kumar Bh...; Harshil Patel
• Keywords: Genetic divergence; Divergence (linguistics)

A new species of Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 is described based on specimens collected from Churah Valley Himachal Pradesh. The related to O. arnensis molecular as well morphological data, however differs it in several aspects. shows a pairwise sequence divergence 6–20% congeners for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Lack pterygoid and palatine teeth the suggests that diet may largely comprise eggs. Discovery not surprising, Western Himalayas has been poorly explored terms its herpetofaunal diversity. Considerable genetic sampled complex, likely represents multiple revision group would be desirable.