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<document ID-DOI="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650" ID-GBIF-Dataset="0e812cab-07a0-46fd-bb4e-7ab3999c0503" ID-PMC="PMC8277656" ID-Pensoft-Pub="1313-2970-1048-23" ID-Pensoft-UUID="0E18E949122E51ABBC228472C860D587" ID-PubMed="34295215" ID-ZooBank="06E239840C124A8FACC4E80EB102DE18" ModsDocID="1313-2970-1048-23" checkinTime="1625677532505" checkinUser="pensoft" docAuthor="Qi, Shuo, Shi, Jing-Song, Ma, Yan-Bo, Gao, Yi-Fei, Bu, Shu-Hai, Grismer, L. Lee, Li, Pi-Peng &amp; Wang, Ying-Yong" docDate="2021" docId="000ADEBFFBFF52E68FD02E7D9CB685ED" docLanguage="en" docName="ZooKeys 1048: 23-47" docOrigin="ZooKeys 1048" docPubDate="2021-07-06" docSource="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650" docTitle="Elaphe xiphodonta Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang 2021, sp. nov." docType="treatment" docUuid="AEA2D68D-5621-4B08-A4AE-BD99FA2192B9" docUuidSource="ZooBank" docVersion="5" id="0E18E949122E51ABBC228472C860D587" lastPageNumber="23" masterDocId="0E18E949122E51ABBC228472C860D587" masterDocTitle="A sheep in wolf's clothing: Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to Protobothrops jerdonii" masterLastPageNumber="47" masterPageNumber="23" pageNumber="23" updateTime="1668150583557" updateUser="ExternalLinkService">
<mods:mods xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3">
<mods:titleInfo>
<mods:title>A sheep in wolf's clothing: Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to Protobothrops jerdonii</mods:title>
</mods:titleInfo>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Qi, Shuo</mods:namePart>
<mods:nameIdentifier type="ORCID">https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2924-6093</mods:nameIdentifier>
<mods:affiliation>State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol / The Museum of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China &amp; Institute of Herpetology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Shi, Jing-Song</mods:namePart>
<mods:nameIdentifier type="ORCID">https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9168-1734</mods:nameIdentifier>
<mods:affiliation>Institute of Herpetology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China</mods:affiliation>
<mods:nameIdentifier type="email">shijingsong@ivpp.ac.cn</mods:nameIdentifier>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Ma, Yan-Bo</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>Institute of Herpetology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China &amp; College of Life Sciences, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, 712100, China</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Gao, Yi-Fei</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>Institute of Herpetology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China &amp; College of Life Sciences, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, 712100, China</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Bu, Shu-Hai</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>College of Life Sciences, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, 712100, China</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Grismer, L. Lee</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, California 92515, USA</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Li, Pi-Peng</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>Institute of Herpetology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China</mods:affiliation>
</mods:name>
<mods:name type="personal">
<mods:role>
<mods:roleTerm>Author</mods:roleTerm>
</mods:role>
<mods:namePart>Wang, Ying-Yong</mods:namePart>
<mods:affiliation>State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol / The Museum of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China</mods:affiliation>
<mods:nameIdentifier type="email">wangyy@mail.sysu.edu.cn</mods:nameIdentifier>
</mods:name>
<mods:typeOfResource>text</mods:typeOfResource>
<mods:relatedItem type="host">
<mods:titleInfo>
<mods:title>ZooKeys</mods:title>
</mods:titleInfo>
<mods:part>
<mods:date>2021</mods:date>
<mods:detail type="pubDate">
<mods:number>2021-07-06</mods:number>
</mods:detail>
<mods:detail type="volume">
<mods:number>1048</mods:number>
</mods:detail>
<mods:extent unit="page">
<mods:start>23</mods:start>
<mods:end>47</mods:end>
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<mods:location>
<mods:url>http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650</mods:url>
</mods:location>
<mods:classification>journal article</mods:classification>
<mods:identifier type="DOI">http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650</mods:identifier>
<mods:identifier type="Pensoft-Pub">1313-2970-1048-23</mods:identifier>
<mods:identifier type="ZooBank">06E239840C124A8FACC4E80EB102DE18</mods:identifier>
<mods:identifier type="Pensoft-UUID">0E18E949122E51ABBC228472C860D587</mods:identifier>
</mods:mods>
<treatment ID-GBIF-Taxon="183401829" LSID="urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AEA2D68D-5621-4B08-A4AE-BD99FA2192B9" httpUri="http://treatment.plazi.org/id/000ADEBFFBFF52E68FD02E7D9CB685ED" lastPageNumber="23" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="nomenclature">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName LSID="http://zoobank.org/AEA2D68D-5621-4B08-A4AE-BD99FA2192B9" authority="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang, 2021" authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta" status="sp. nov.">Elaphe xiphodonta</taxonomicName>
<taxonomicNameLabel pageId="0" pageNumber="23">sp. nov.</taxonomicNameLabel>
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="materials_examined">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Material examined.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<materialsCitation collectingDate="2020-09-04" country="China" county="Ningshaan County" elevation="1731" latitude="33.58" location="Chengguan Town" longLatPrecision="722" longitude="108.46" specimenCount="1" stateProvince="Shaanxi Province" typeStatus="Holotype">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<typeStatus>Holotype</typeStatus>
</emphasis>
.
</emphasis>
SYS r002534, adult female (Figs
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 1" captionStartId="F1" captionText="Figure 1. General view of the holotype (SYS r 002534) of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. in life. Photo by Shuo Qi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure1" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563367" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 2" captionStartId="F2" captionText="Figure 2. Detailed pholidosis of the head of the holotype (SYS r 002534) of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. Photos by Shuo Qi, illustrated by Xue-Man Zheng." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure2" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563368" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">2</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 3" captionStartId="F3" captionText="Figure 3. Comparison between Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. and sympatric Protobothrops jerdonii in different age stages A adult Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (SYS r 002534, holotype) B adult Protobothrops jerdonii C juvenile E. xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype), road-killed specimen D juvenile P. jerdonii specimen in preservative. The black arrow points to the labial spot. Photos A, B, D by Shuo Qi, photo C by Liang Sun." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure3" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563369" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">3A</figureCitation>
), collected by Yan-Bo Ma, Yi-Fei Gao on
<collectingDate value="2020-09-04">4 September 2020</collectingDate>
from
<location LSID="urn:lsid:plazi:treatment:000ADEBFFBFF52E68FD02E7D9CB685ED:6ED2CC48EB64BEC07CEC94DFCFDBE300" country="China" county="Ningshaan County" latitude="33.58" longLatPrecision="722" longitude="108.46" name="Chengguan Town" stateProvince="Shaanxi Province">Chengguan Town</location>
(
<geoCoordinate degrees="33.58" direction="north" orientation="latitude" precision="555" value="33.58">33.58°N</geoCoordinate>
,
<geoCoordinate degrees="108.46" direction="east" orientation="longitude" precision="555" value="108.46">108.46°E</geoCoordinate>
(DD); ca
<elevation metricMagnitude="3" metricUnit="m" metricValue="1.7309999999999999" unit="m" value="1731.0">
<quantity metricMagnitude="3" metricUnit="m" metricValue="1.7309999999999999" unit="m" value="1731.0">1731 m</quantity>
a.s.l.
</elevation>
),
<collectingCounty>Ningshaan County</collectingCounty>
,
<collectingRegion country="China" name="Shaanxi">Shaanxi Province</collectingRegion>
,
<collectingCountry name="China">China</collectingCountry>
</materialsCitation>
.
<materialsCitation collectingDate="2020-09-07" collectorName="Jing-Song Shi" country="China" county="Ningshaan County" elevation="1751" latitude="33.56" location="Chengguan Town" longLatPrecision="722" longitude="108.5" specimenCount="1" stateProvince="Shaanxi Province" typeStatus="Paratypes">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<typeStatus>Paratypes</typeStatus>
</emphasis>
.
</emphasis>
IVPP OV 2721, juvenile female (Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 3" captionStartId="F3" captionText="Figure 3. Comparison between Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. and sympatric Protobothrops jerdonii in different age stages A adult Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (SYS r 002534, holotype) B adult Protobothrops jerdonii C juvenile E. xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype), road-killed specimen D juvenile P. jerdonii specimen in preservative. The black arrow points to the labial spot. Photos A, B, D by Shuo Qi, photo C by Liang Sun." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure3" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563369" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">3C</figureCitation>
), collected by
<collectorName>Jing-Song Shi</collectorName>
on
<collectingDate value="2020-09-07">7 September 2020</collectingDate>
from
<location LSID="urn:lsid:plazi:treatment:000ADEBFFBFF52E68FD02E7D9CB685ED:81798285C8F1C08CE50B09CB56940C3D" country="China" county="Ningshaan County" latitude="33.56" longLatPrecision="722" longitude="108.5" name="Chengguan Town" stateProvince="Shaanxi Province">Chengguan Town</location>
(
<geoCoordinate degrees="33.56" direction="north" orientation="latitude" precision="555" value="33.56">33.56°N</geoCoordinate>
,
<geoCoordinate degrees="108.50" direction="east" orientation="longitude" precision="555" value="108.5">108.50°E</geoCoordinate>
(DD); ca
<elevation metricMagnitude="3" metricUnit="m" metricValue="1.751" unit="m" value="1751.0">
<quantity metricMagnitude="3" metricUnit="m" metricValue="1.751" unit="m" value="1751.0">1751 m</quantity>
a.s.l.
</elevation>
),
<collectingCounty>Ningshaan County</collectingCounty>
,
<collectingRegion country="China" name="Shaanxi">Shaanxi Province</collectingRegion>
,
<collectingCountry name="China">China</collectingCountry>
(Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 4" captionStartId="F4" captionText="Figure 4. Type terra of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov (marked with red triangles), with the collection localities of some other Chinese species of Elaphe." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure4" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563370" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">4</figureCitation>
)
</materialsCitation>
.
</paragraph>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure4" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563370" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 4" startId="F4">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 4.</emphasis>
<typeStatus>Type</typeStatus>
terra of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov (marked with red triangles), with the collection localities of some other Chinese species of
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Etymology.</emphasis>
The specific epithet &quot;
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">xiphodonta</emphasis>
&quot; of the new species comes from the Ancient Greek &quot;ξίφοσ (ksίfos, refer to
<normalizedToken originalValue="knife">'knife'</normalizedToken>
or
<normalizedToken originalValue="blade)”">'blade')&quot;</normalizedToken>
and &quot;δοντι (
<normalizedToken originalValue="dónti">donti</normalizedToken>
, refer to
<normalizedToken originalValue="tooth)”">'tooth')&quot;</normalizedToken>
, meaning &quot;blade-shaped teeth&quot;, indicating that the new species has unique blade-shaped MT and DT (Figs
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 5" captionStartId="F5" captionText="Figure 5. Three-dimensional model of the skull of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">5</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 6" captionStartId="F6" captionText="Figure 6. Palatomaxillary apparatus and mandibles of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi A ventral (A 1) and dorsal (A 2) view of left palatomaxillary apparatus B posterolateral view of left maxilla (B 1) and right dentary (B 2), with cutting edges (ce) and caudolateral ridges indicated C labial (C 1, right), ventrolateral (C 2, left), ventral (C 3, right, mirrored) and dorsal (C 4, left) view of maxilla D Labial (D 1) and lingual (D 2) view of right dentary E labial (E 1), lingual (E 2), ventral (E 3) and dorsal (E 4) view of right mandible. Abbreviations: an. angular, at. atlas, ax. axis, bo. basioccipital, bs. basisphenoid, bt. blade teeth (&quot; xiphodont &quot;), ce. Posterior cutting edge of the blade teeth, chp. choanal process of palatine, clr. caudolateral ridge of the teeth, cp. compound bone, d. dentary, dpd. dorsal process of dentary, ecp. ectopterygoid, epm. ectopterygoid process of maxilla, etp. empty tooth position, exo. exoccipital, f. frontal, f 5 b. foramen for maxillary branch of trigeminal, f 5 c. foramen for mandibular branch of trigeminal, lf. lacrimal foramen, lfe. lateral furcula of ectopterygoid, m. maxilla, na. nasal, mfe. mesial furcula of ectopterygoid, mp. maxillary process of palatine, nf, nutrient foramen, p. parietal, pcr. prearticular crest of compound bone, pfr. prefrontal, pmx. premaxilla, po. postorbital, pp. palatine process of maxilla, pro. prootic, psp. parasphenoid rostrum, pt. pterygoid, pVf. posterior Vidian foramen, rpt. replacement teeth, sac. surangular crest of compound bone, smx, septomaxilla, so. supraoccipital, sp. splenial, st. supratemporal, v. vomer, vpd. ventral process of dentary, fs. fracture surface." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure6" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563372" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">6</figureCitation>
), which differs from the inconspicuous dental specializations (all teeth are cone-shaped) in its congeners. We suggest the Chinese formal name as
<normalizedToken originalValue="“秦皇锦蛇”">&quot;秦皇锦蛇&quot;</normalizedToken>
(
<normalizedToken originalValue="Qín">Qin</normalizedToken>
<normalizedToken originalValue="Huáng">Huang</normalizedToken>
<normalizedToken originalValue="Jǐn">Jǐn</normalizedToken>
<normalizedToken originalValue="Shé">She</normalizedToken>
), which derived from Qin Shi Huang (personal name: Ying Zheng or Zhao Zheng; 259 BC-210 BC), the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of unified
<collectingCountry name="China">China</collectingCountry>
, whose territory including the distribution range of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. The English name is suggested as &quot;Qin Emperor Rat Snake&quot; or &quot;Blade-teethed Rat Snake&quot;.
</paragraph>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 5" startId="F5">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 5.</emphasis>
Three-dimensional model of the skull of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721,
<typeStatus>paratype</typeStatus>
). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure6" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563372" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 6" startId="F6">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 6.</emphasis>
Palatomaxillary apparatus and mandibles of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721,
<typeStatus>paratype</typeStatus>
). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">A</emphasis>
ventral (A1) and dorsal (A2) view of left palatomaxillary apparatus
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">B</emphasis>
posterolateral view of left maxilla (B1) and right dentary (B2), with cutting edges (ce) and caudolateral ridges indicated
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">C</emphasis>
labial (C1, right), ventrolateral (C2, left), ventral (C3, right, mirrored) and dorsal (C4, left) view of maxilla
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">D</emphasis>
Labial (D1) and lingual (D2) view of right dentary
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E</emphasis>
labial (E1), lingual (E2), ventral (E3) and dorsal (E4) view of right mandible. Abbreviations: an. angular, at. atlas, ax. axis, bo. basioccipital, bs. basisphenoid, bt. blade teeth (
<normalizedToken originalValue="“xiphodont”">&quot;xiphodont&quot;</normalizedToken>
), ce. Posterior cutting edge of the blade teeth, chp. choanal process of palatine, clr. caudolateral ridge of the teeth, cp. compound bone, d. dentary, dpd. dorsal process of dentary, ecp. ectopterygoid, epm. ectopterygoid process of maxilla, etp. empty tooth position, exo. exoccipital, f. frontal, f5b. foramen for maxillary branch of trigeminal, f5c. foramen for mandibular branch of trigeminal, lf. lacrimal foramen, lfe. lateral furcula of ectopterygoid, m. maxilla, na. nasal, mfe. mesial furcula of ectopterygoid, mp. maxillary process of palatine, nf, nutrient foramen, p. parietal, pcr. prearticular crest of compound bone, pfr. prefrontal, pmx. premaxilla, po. postorbital, pp. palatine process of maxilla, pro. prootic, psp. parasphenoid rostrum, pt. pterygoid, pVf. posterior Vidian foramen, rpt. replacement teeth, sac. surangular crest of compound bone, smx, septomaxilla, so. supraoccipital, sp. splenial, st. supratemporal, v. vomer, vpd. ventral process of dentary,
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">fs.</emphasis>
fracture surface.
</paragraph>
</caption>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="diagnosis">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Diagnosis.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) medium body size, SVL 785 mm in single adult female; (2) dorsal scales in 21-21-17 rows, the medial 11 rows keeled; (3) supralabials seven or eight, third/fourth (right) or fourth/fifth (left) in contact with eye, infralabials 9 or 10; (4) ventral scales 202-204; (5) subcaudals 67-68; (6) loreal single, not in contact with eye, not in contact with internasals; (7) two preoculars (including one subpreocular), two postoculars; (8) two anterior temporals, three posterior temporals; (9) precloacal plate divided; (10) reduced teeth number in maxilla and dentary bones (MT 9+2, DT 12; (11) sharp edges on the posterior or posterolateral surface of the rear MT and DT; (12) top of head yellow, three distinct markings on head and neck; (13) a distinct black labial spot present on supralabials; (14) ground color of dorsum yellow, 46-49 entire (or incomplete) reddish brown blotches with black edges on body and 12-19 similarly colored spots on tail; (15) ventral surface of body yellow with mottled irregular black blotches, a few irregular small red spots dispersed on middle of ventral scales.
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="description">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Description of holotype.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Adult female (Figs
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 1" captionStartId="F1" captionText="Figure 1. General view of the holotype (SYS r 002534) of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. in life. Photo by Shuo Qi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure1" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563367" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 2" captionStartId="F2" captionText="Figure 2. Detailed pholidosis of the head of the holotype (SYS r 002534) of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. Photos by Shuo Qi, illustrated by Xue-Man Zheng." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure2" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563368" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">2</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 3" captionStartId="F3" captionText="Figure 3. Comparison between Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. and sympatric Protobothrops jerdonii in different age stages A adult Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (SYS r 002534, holotype) B adult Protobothrops jerdonii C juvenile E. xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype), road-killed specimen D juvenile P. jerdonii specimen in preservative. The black arrow points to the labial spot. Photos A, B, D by Shuo Qi, photo C by Liang Sun." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure3" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563369" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">3A</figureCitation>
). Body and tail slender, TL 967.5 mm (SVL 785.2 mm, TaL 182.3 mm, TaL/TL: 0.19); dorsal scales in 21-21-17 rows, the medial 11 rows keeled, the vertebral scales not enlarged; head elongate, moderately distinct from neck, longer than width and narrow anteriorly, HL 26.5 mm, HW 18.1 mm (HW/HL: 0.68); eye medium, ED 3.2 mm, pupil elliptic; rostral triangular, broader than high, RW 7.1 mm, RH 4.5 mm (RW/RH: 1.58; RW/HW: 0.39), visible from dorsum; nostril laterally pointed, located in the middle of nasal; nasal divided into two scales by nostril; two internasals, anteriorly rounded, bordered by two large prefrontals posteriorly; frontal single and enlarged, narrowed posteriorly; parietals paired, longer than width, in contact with each other medially, with upper anterior and posterior temporals laterally; one loreal on each side, in contact with nasal anteriorly, preocular posteriorly, prefrontals dorsally and the second supralabial ventrally; one enlarged preocular in contact with eye and supraocular posteriorly, prefrontal and loreal anteriorly, a smaller subpreocular ventrally, and not in contact with frontal; subpreocular in contact with eye and the third supralabial posteriorly, the second supralabial anteriorly, and preocular dorsally; two postoculars, upper one in contact with eye anteriorly, supraocular and parietal dorsally, and upper anterior temporal posteriorly, bottom one in contact with eye anteriorly, with upper and lower anterior temporals posteriorly, fifth and sixth supralabials below on left, and with fourth and fifth supralabials below on right; eight supralabials on left, seven supralabials on right (the third and the forth merged relative to left), first and second in contact with nasal, fourth and fifth reaching orbit on left, third and fourth reaching orbit on right; ten infralabials on left, nine infralabials on right, first pair in broad contact with each other, first to fifth in contact with anterior pair of chin shields, fifth in contact with posterior chin shields, fifth infralabial bipartitioned, lower part obviously larger than upper one; two pairs of chin shields, elongate, anterior pair larger, first pair meeting in midline, posterior pair is separated by three small scales; two similarly sized anterior temporals on left, lower one divided into two small scales on the right; three similarly sized posterior temporals on each side; 204 ventrals, excluding two preventrals; 67 pairs of subcaudals, excluding tail tip; precloacal plate divided.
</paragraph>
<caption ID-Table-UUID="D8DD4988C49A2576106C6876C660EE76" httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/D8DD4988C49A2576106C6876C660EE76" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Table 3" startId="T3">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Table 3.</emphasis>
Uncorrected
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">P</emphasis>
-distance of CO1 gene among 17
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
species used in this study.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<table pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<th colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</th>
<th colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17</th>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov.
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. anomala" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="anomala">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. anomala</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.3</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsonii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsonii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsonii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quadrivirgata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.3</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. schrenckii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="schrenckii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. schrenckii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6.8</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. urartica" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="urartica">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. urartica</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
</tr>
</table>
</paragraph>
<caption ID-Table-UUID="5CA70A649C900F0C9B7CB38B849770BF" httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/5CA70A649C900F0C9B7CB38B849770BF" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Table 4" startId="T4">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Table 4.</emphasis>
Uncorrected
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">P</emphasis>
-distance of cytb gene among 16
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
species used in this study.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<table pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<th colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</th>
<th colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16</th>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov.
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. anomala" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="anomala">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. anomala</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.4</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsonii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsonii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsonii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quadrivirgata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.9</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">6.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. schrenckii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="schrenckii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. schrenckii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">/</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5.4</td>
<td colspan="1" isEmpty="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">-</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16.9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15.7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.0</td>
</tr>
</table>
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="coloration in life">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Coloration in life.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Dorsal surface of head yellow, three distinct markings on head and neck; the anterior transverse black stripe, somewhat reddish medially, extends from the posterior margin of rostral and through the each eye to last two supralabials and adjacent small scales; interorbital arcuate cross-band, covering anterior part of frontals, most part of prefrontals, top of supraoculars, bottom half of upper postoculars, intact bottom postoculars, bottom half of upper temporals, most of bottom of temporals, dorsal edge of sixth left supralabials (fifth on the right), dorsal half of seventh supralabials (sixth) and bottom half of posterior-most supralabials, not reaching internasals, connected to largest posterior marking from mediolateral part; largest marking is a distinct black
<normalizedToken originalValue="“M”">&quot;M&quot;</normalizedToken>
-shaped marking that is reddish medially, covering the posteromedial part of the frontals, posterior part of supraoculars, most of parietals, dorsal margin of upper temporals, posteriorly extended, forming two thick black-edged reddish brown stripes on nape. Lateral surface of head yellow, a few small black spots dispersed on supralabials (2, 4 and 5 on left and 2, 3 and 4 on right) and subpreocular, a distinct scutellate black labial spot on the junction of the 2, 3 and right subpreocular (absent on left). Ventral surface of head consistently light-yellow, a few small black spots dispersed on the mental, infralabials, and anterior chin shields. An irregular spot occurs on the posterior edge of the junction of two anterior chin shields. Mouth lining is pale-heather and tongue is black.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Ground color of dorsal surface yellow, 49 complete or incomplete, black-edged reddish brown blotches on body and 12 similarly colored spots on tail; dorsal blotches on body approximately three to five scales in length, and eight to eleven scales rows in width; each blotch is usually composed of reddish brown scale with dark-brown edges. Two rows of smaller, black-edged reddish brown blotches on both side of the larger mid-body blotches, alternating with the mid-body blotches, each blotch covers 2-4 dorsal scales and separated from ventral scales by two rows of the dorsolateral scales. Ground color of ventral surface is yellow, mottled with irregular black blotches, a few irregular small red spots scattered midventrally.</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="intraspecific variation">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Intraspecific variation.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Measurements, body proportions and scale and pattern counts of the two specimens are listed in Table
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 5" captionStartId="T5" captionText="Table 5. Measurements and scale counts and body proportions of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/E5C7F91FCFF46AC66A329F81F8F3EC44" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="E5C7F91FCFF46AC66A329F81F8F3EC44">5</tableCitation>
. The third and fourth supralabials are merged on right in holotype, which leads to the different supralabial counts. Regardless of the slight variation in scalation among the type series of
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. xiphodonta" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov., the color pattern varies considerably between the juvenile and the adult: In adult one (SYS r002534, holotype), the color of the rostral, top and side of head, and chin, as well as dorsal and ventral sections of body are consistently light-yellow, whereas in the juvenile (IVPP OV 2721), the color of head and dorsal body is greyish to olive-green; the ventral scales and subcaudal scales are oyster white, with irregular greyish black spots. The juvenile has a similar dorsal pattern as the adult.
</paragraph>
<caption ID-Table-UUID="E5C7F91FCFF46AC66A329F81F8F3EC44" httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/E5C7F91FCFF46AC66A329F81F8F3EC44" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Table 5" startId="T5">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Table 5.</emphasis>
Measurements and scale counts and body proportions of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<table pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Voucher</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">SYS r002534</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">IVPP OV 2721</th>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Sex</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">female</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">female</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">SVL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">785.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">307.5</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">TaL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">182.3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">62.5</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">TL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">967.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">370.1</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">TaL/TL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.17</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">HL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">26.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17.64</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">HW</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11.14</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">HW/HL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.68</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.63</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">ED</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3.2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2.8</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">RW</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7.1</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3.4</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">RH</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4.5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2.0</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">RW/RH</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1.58</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">1.70</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">RW/HW</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.39</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0.31</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">DSR</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-21-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-21-17</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">SPL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8/7</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8/8</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">IFL</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10/9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11/11</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">CS</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4 (2 pairs)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4 (2 pairs)</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">V</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">204</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">202</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">SC</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">67</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">67/68</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">MT</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11 (9+2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11 (9+2)</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Dorsal blotches</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">61 (49+12)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">65(46+19)</td>
</tr>
</table>
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="skull">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Skull.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
The osteological description is based on a road-killed juvenile individual (Paratype, IVPP OV 2721, Figs
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 5" captionStartId="F5" captionText="Figure 5. Three-dimensional model of the skull of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">5</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 6" captionStartId="F6" captionText="Figure 6. Palatomaxillary apparatus and mandibles of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi A ventral (A 1) and dorsal (A 2) view of left palatomaxillary apparatus B posterolateral view of left maxilla (B 1) and right dentary (B 2), with cutting edges (ce) and caudolateral ridges indicated C labial (C 1, right), ventrolateral (C 2, left), ventral (C 3, right, mirrored) and dorsal (C 4, left) view of maxilla D Labial (D 1) and lingual (D 2) view of right dentary E labial (E 1), lingual (E 2), ventral (E 3) and dorsal (E 4) view of right mandible. Abbreviations: an. angular, at. atlas, ax. axis, bo. basioccipital, bs. basisphenoid, bt. blade teeth (&quot; xiphodont &quot;), ce. Posterior cutting edge of the blade teeth, chp. choanal process of palatine, clr. caudolateral ridge of the teeth, cp. compound bone, d. dentary, dpd. dorsal process of dentary, ecp. ectopterygoid, epm. ectopterygoid process of maxilla, etp. empty tooth position, exo. exoccipital, f. frontal, f 5 b. foramen for maxillary branch of trigeminal, f 5 c. foramen for mandibular branch of trigeminal, lf. lacrimal foramen, lfe. lateral furcula of ectopterygoid, m. maxilla, na. nasal, mfe. mesial furcula of ectopterygoid, mp. maxillary process of palatine, nf, nutrient foramen, p. parietal, pcr. prearticular crest of compound bone, pfr. prefrontal, pmx. premaxilla, po. postorbital, pp. palatine process of maxilla, pro. prootic, psp. parasphenoid rostrum, pt. pterygoid, pVf. posterior Vidian foramen, rpt. replacement teeth, sac. surangular crest of compound bone, smx, septomaxilla, so. supraoccipital, sp. splenial, st. supratemporal, v. vomer, vpd. ventral process of dentary, fs. fracture surface." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure6" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563372" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">6</figureCitation>
). The skull is nearly completely preserved except for the slightly crushed parietal, and basioccipital bones.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Snout (Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 5" captionStartId="F5" captionText="Figure 5. Three-dimensional model of the skull of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">5</figureCitation>
).
</emphasis>
The premaxilla is short and blunt. The ascending process is laterally expanded and slanted posteriorly as in many borrowers (e.g.,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Fitzinger" authorityYear="1843" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Euprepiophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Euprepiophis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Euprepiophis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName authorityName="Schulz, Bohme &amp; Tillack" authorityYear="2011" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Archelaphe" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Archelaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Archelaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), rendering it hourglass-shaped in anterior view. The transverse process of premaxilla is flat, triangular-shaped in dorsal view. The posterior end of vomerine process of premaxilla contacts the tip of both vomer and septomaxilla. The posteromedial surface of vomerine process is expanded and oval shaped. The anterior section of the dorsal plate of nasal is tapered while the posterior section is expanded as oval shaped. The dorsal surface is slightly bulged.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Braincase (Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 5" captionStartId="F5" captionText="Figure 5. Three-dimensional model of the skull of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">5</figureCitation>
).
</emphasis>
The parietal is blunt and rounded, lacks a lateral crest on each side. The prefrontal is slender, somewhat rectangular. The anterolateral process is blunt. The anterior margin of frontal presents as trapezium-shaped. The lateral margin slightly concave. The postorbital is crescent-shaped, the anterodorsal process does not contact the frontal. The ventral process of postorbital is tapered, not furcated. The supraoccipital is rectangular and compressed, bearing a trifurcated dorsal ridge. The basisphenoid is wide and flat, with no conspicuous ridges on the ventral surface. The rostrum of parasphenoid is not divided. The angular surface between the basisphenoid and basioccipital is smooth. The columella is stubby, the shaft of columella quite short, approximately 1.2 times as length as the diameter of foot plate. The foramina for maxillary branch of trigeminal (f5b) and mandibular branch of trigeminal (f5c) nerves are oval shaped, not reaching the margin of prootic. The f5b is approximately 1/2 the width of f5c.
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="palatomaxillary arch">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Palatomaxillary arch</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
(Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 6" captionStartId="F6" captionText="Figure 6. Palatomaxillary apparatus and mandibles of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi A ventral (A 1) and dorsal (A 2) view of left palatomaxillary apparatus B posterolateral view of left maxilla (B 1) and right dentary (B 2), with cutting edges (ce) and caudolateral ridges indicated C labial (C 1, right), ventrolateral (C 2, left), ventral (C 3, right, mirrored) and dorsal (C 4, left) view of maxilla D Labial (D 1) and lingual (D 2) view of right dentary E labial (E 1), lingual (E 2), ventral (E 3) and dorsal (E 4) view of right mandible. Abbreviations: an. angular, at. atlas, ax. axis, bo. basioccipital, bs. basisphenoid, bt. blade teeth (&quot; xiphodont &quot;), ce. Posterior cutting edge of the blade teeth, chp. choanal process of palatine, clr. caudolateral ridge of the teeth, cp. compound bone, d. dentary, dpd. dorsal process of dentary, ecp. ectopterygoid, epm. ectopterygoid process of maxilla, etp. empty tooth position, exo. exoccipital, f. frontal, f 5 b. foramen for maxillary branch of trigeminal, f 5 c. foramen for mandibular branch of trigeminal, lf. lacrimal foramen, lfe. lateral furcula of ectopterygoid, m. maxilla, na. nasal, mfe. mesial furcula of ectopterygoid, mp. maxillary process of palatine, nf, nutrient foramen, p. parietal, pcr. prearticular crest of compound bone, pfr. prefrontal, pmx. premaxilla, po. postorbital, pp. palatine process of maxilla, pro. prootic, psp. parasphenoid rostrum, pt. pterygoid, pVf. posterior Vidian foramen, rpt. replacement teeth, sac. surangular crest of compound bone, smx, septomaxilla, so. supraoccipital, sp. splenial, st. supratemporal, v. vomer, vpd. ventral process of dentary, fs. fracture surface." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure6" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563372" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">6</figureCitation>
)
</emphasis>
The maxilla is slender. The maxillary nutrient foramen is transversely elongate, oval shaped and opens on the anterolateral side at the level of the third maxillary tooth and perforates the maxilla laterally. The anterior portion of maxilla curves slightly inward. The palatine process of maxilla is elongate while the ectopterygoid process is short and bunt.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
The maxilla has 11 teeth on each side, with one or two rows of replacement teeth on the lingual side. In contrast to other species of
<taxonomicName genus="Elape" lsidName="Elape" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elape</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, the maxillary dentition of the new species is conspicuously differentiated. The anterior five MT have inconspicuous posterolateral ridges, while the posterior six teeth have a sharply edged ridge on their posterior margin (which could be also described as: the posterolateral ridge gradually moved posteriorly by the MT row, forming a sharp cutting edge on the posterior MT), forming blade-like teeth. The MT increase in size posteriorly, the posterior-most two being the largest, not separated from the anterior teeth by a diastema. The cutting edges of the posterior four MT slightly posteriorly convex, rendering them kukri shaped.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">The palatine bears nine teeth, with one row of replacement teeth on the labial side. The choanal process of palatine (chp) forms a right triangular in dorsal view. The anterolateral margin of the maxillary process forms an approximate 30° angle with the medial line. The posterior margin of maxillary process is perpendicular to the medial line and collinear with the anterior margin of the choanal process. The pterygoid is slender and lanceolate in shape, 1.8 times the length of palatine, bearing 12 solid teeth (with one row of replacement teeth on the labial side). The ectopterygoid process and the medial transverse process of pterygoid are very small and difficult to see. The ectopterygoid is horizontally expanded, and outwardly curved in dorsal view. The labial furcula of ectopterygoid is oval, and distinct from the lingual process. The medial furcula (medial process) is elongate and spiculate, slightly curved ventrally.</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="suspensorium and mandible">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Suspensorium and mandible</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
(Figs
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 5" captionStartId="F5" captionText="Figure 5. Three-dimensional model of the skull of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Left, dorsal view; middle, ventral view; right, lateral view. (Right palatomaxillary arch, mandible and suspensorium are not shown). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure5" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563371" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">5</figureCitation>
,
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 6" captionStartId="F6" captionText="Figure 6. Palatomaxillary apparatus and mandibles of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype). Implemented by Peng-Fei Yin, Ye-Mao Hou and Jing-Song Shi A ventral (A 1) and dorsal (A 2) view of left palatomaxillary apparatus B posterolateral view of left maxilla (B 1) and right dentary (B 2), with cutting edges (ce) and caudolateral ridges indicated C labial (C 1, right), ventrolateral (C 2, left), ventral (C 3, right, mirrored) and dorsal (C 4, left) view of maxilla D Labial (D 1) and lingual (D 2) view of right dentary E labial (E 1), lingual (E 2), ventral (E 3) and dorsal (E 4) view of right mandible. Abbreviations: an. angular, at. atlas, ax. axis, bo. basioccipital, bs. basisphenoid, bt. blade teeth (&quot; xiphodont &quot;), ce. Posterior cutting edge of the blade teeth, chp. choanal process of palatine, clr. caudolateral ridge of the teeth, cp. compound bone, d. dentary, dpd. dorsal process of dentary, ecp. ectopterygoid, epm. ectopterygoid process of maxilla, etp. empty tooth position, exo. exoccipital, f. frontal, f 5 b. foramen for maxillary branch of trigeminal, f 5 c. foramen for mandibular branch of trigeminal, lf. lacrimal foramen, lfe. lateral furcula of ectopterygoid, m. maxilla, na. nasal, mfe. mesial furcula of ectopterygoid, mp. maxillary process of palatine, nf, nutrient foramen, p. parietal, pcr. prearticular crest of compound bone, pfr. prefrontal, pmx. premaxilla, po. postorbital, pp. palatine process of maxilla, pro. prootic, psp. parasphenoid rostrum, pt. pterygoid, pVf. posterior Vidian foramen, rpt. replacement teeth, sac. surangular crest of compound bone, smx, septomaxilla, so. supraoccipital, sp. splenial, st. supratemporal, v. vomer, vpd. ventral process of dentary, fs. fracture surface." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure6" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563372" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">6</figureCitation>
)
</emphasis>
The mandible is slender and moderately curved. The supratemporal is flat and slender, fusiform, and the anteroventral margin is slightly angulated upward. The quadrate is triangulated in lateral view, and approximately the same length as supratemporal. The supratemporal angular surface of the quadrate is expanded, elongated and oval shaped. The prearticular crest (pcr) of the compound bone is prominent while the surangular crest (sac) is absent. The angular is slender and triangular. The splenial is triangular, coracoid shaped and shorter than angular. The dental bone bears 13 teeth, decreasing in size at the fifth tooth, with one or two rows of replacement teeth on the lingual side. The posterior tip of dorsal process of dentary extends farther posteriorly than the ventral process. The largest dentary nutrient foramen is elongated-oval shaped and lies below the seventh tooth.
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="dentition">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Dentition</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">(IVPP OV 2721, paratype)</emphasis>
Maxilla: 11/11 (9+2); pterygoid: 12/12; palatine: 9/9; dentary: 13/13. Dentitional comparisons within the genus
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and some related colubrid groups are listed in Table
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 6" captionStartId="T6" captionText="Table 6. Dentition comparison of the Elaphe species and related colubrid species." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6">6</tableCitation>
.
</paragraph>
<caption ID-Table-UUID="C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6" httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Table 6" startId="T6">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Table 6.</emphasis>
Dentition comparison of the
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
species and related colubrid species.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<table pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
Taxon (
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">n</emphasis>
)
</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Maxillary</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Blade teeth</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Palatine</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Pterygoid</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Dentary</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Reference</th>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. xiphodonta" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. (1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11/11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9/9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12/12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13/13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19/20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9/10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">15/16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18/19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(5)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13-16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-21</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17-20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23-25</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<bibRefCitation author="Helfenberger, N" journalOrPublisher="Russian Journal of Herpetology" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" pagination="36 - 42" refId="B18" refString="Helfenberger, N, Schaetti, B, 1998. Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884. Russian Journal of Herpetology 5 (1): 36 - 42" title="Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884." volume="5" year="1998">
Helfenberger and
<normalizedToken originalValue="Schätti">Schaetti</normalizedToken>
1998
</bibRefCitation>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7-9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12-13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(3)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12-16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<bibRefCitation author="Helfenberger, N" journalOrPublisher="Russian Journal of Herpetology" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" pagination="36 - 42" refId="B18" refString="Helfenberger, N, Schaetti, B, 1998. Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884. Russian Journal of Herpetology 5 (1): 36 - 42" title="Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884." volume="5" year="1998">
Helfenberger and
<normalizedToken originalValue="Schätti">Schaetti</normalizedToken>
1998
</bibRefCitation>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">22-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-22</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">27-29</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. schrenskii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="schrenskii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. schrenskii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12-13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-21</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(3)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Fitzinger" authorityYear="1843" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Euprepiophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Euprepiophis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Euprepiophis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="Eu. mandarinus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="mandarinus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Eu. mandarinus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">16-19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-24</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-22</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="Eu. perlaceus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="perlaceus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Eu. perlaceus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20-20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18-21</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-22</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Coelognathus" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Coelognathus" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Coelognathus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="C. flavolineatus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="flavolineatus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">C. flavolineatus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11/13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">25/26</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">27/28</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="C. philippinus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="philippinus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">C. philippinus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">25</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12/13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">26/27</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">29/28</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="C. radiatus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="radiatus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">C. radiatus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(5)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">20-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18-24</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23-27</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Oligodon" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Oligodon" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Oligodon</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="Ol. ornatus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="ornatus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Ol. ornatus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8/8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">4/4</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">5/5</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">13/13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Helfenberger" authorityYear="2001" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Oocatochus" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Oocatochus" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Oocatochus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="Oo. rufodorsatus" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="rufodorsatus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Oo. rufodorsatus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18-19</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17-18</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Wagler" authorityYear="1828" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Gonyosoma" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Gonyosoma" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Gonyosoma</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="G. oxycephalum" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="oxycephalum">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">G. oxycephalum</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23/23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10/10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">14/13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">26/26</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Ptyas" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Ptyas" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Ptyas</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="P. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">P. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">24-25</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">17-15</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">22</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="P. dhumnades" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dhumnades">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">P. dhumnades</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(1)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">26</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21/20</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">26</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Wagler" authorityYear="1830" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Dasypeltis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Dasypeltis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Dasypeltis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="D. scabra" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="scabra">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">D. scabra</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7-6</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">N</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8-9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">0</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">3-3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<bibRefCitation author="Helfenberger, N" journalOrPublisher="Russian Journal of Herpetology" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" pagination="36 - 42" refId="B18" refString="Helfenberger, N, Schaetti, B, 1998. Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884. Russian Journal of Herpetology 5 (1): 36 - 42" title="Morphological adaptations for egg-eating in the snake Elaphe davidi Sauvage 1884." volume="5" year="1998">
Helfenberger and
<normalizedToken originalValue="Schätti">Schaetti</normalizedToken>
1998
</bibRefCitation>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="7" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Malnate" authorityYear="1953" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Thermophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Thermophis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis bold="true" italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Thermophis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName lsidName="T. zhaoermii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zhaoermii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">T. zhaoermii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(2)
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19-21</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Y</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">12-16</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">18-23</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21/24</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">this study</td>
</tr>
</table>
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tableNote pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Abbreviations:
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">n.</emphasis>
number of referenced specimens (if
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">N</emphasis>
= 1, the dentition count are listed as: left/right;
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">N</emphasis>
&gt; 1: minimum - maximum).
</tableNote>
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="comparisons">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Comparisons.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Detailed comparisons among
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
species are given in Table
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 7" captionStartId="T7" captionText="Table 7. Diagnostic characters separating all 17 species of the Elaphe, with distinguishing characters marked in bold. *: Counts of PrO contain subpreocular." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D">7</tableCitation>
and Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 7" captionStartId="F7" captionText="Figure 7. Comparisons of general morphological characteristics with its congeners in China A Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (SYS r 002534, holotype), Ningshaan, Shaanxi, by Shuo Qi B E. anomala, Benxi, Liaoning, by Shuo Qi C E. bimaculata, Hong'an, Hubei, by Chong-Jian Zhou D E. cantoris, Bome, Tibet, by Jing-Song Shi E E. carinata, Mentougou, Beijing, by Jing-Song Shi F E. davidi, Benxi, Liaoning, by Jing-Song Shi G E. dione, Yongdeng, Gansu, by Shuo Qi H E. hodgsonii, Gyirong, Tibet, by Shuo Qi I E. moellendorffi, Chongzuo, Guangxi, by Jia-Jun Zhou J E. schrenckii, Baishan, Jilin, by Shuo Qi K E. taeniura from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, by Wei-Liang Xie L E. zoigeensis, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, by Jin-Wang." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure7" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563373" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">7</figureCitation>
.
</paragraph>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure7" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563373" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 7" startId="F7">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 7.</emphasis>
Comparisons of general morphological characteristics with its congeners in China
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">A</emphasis>
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. (SYS r002534, holotype), Ningshaan, Shaanxi, by Shuo Qi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">B</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. anomala" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="anomala">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. anomala</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Benxi, Liaoning, by Shuo Qi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">C</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<normalizedToken originalValue="Hongan">Hong'an</normalizedToken>
, Hubei, by Chong-Jian Zhou
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">D</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<normalizedToken originalValue="Bomê">Bome</normalizedToken>
, Tibet, by Jing-Song Shi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Mentougou, Beijing, by Jing-Song Shi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">F</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Benxi, Liaoning, by Jing-Song Shi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">G</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Yongdeng, Gansu, by Shuo Qi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">H</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsonii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsonii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsonii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Gyirong, Tibet, by Shuo Qi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">I</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Chongzuo, Guangxi, by Jia-Jun Zhou
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">J</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. schrenckii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="schrenckii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. schrenckii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Baishan, Jilin, by Shuo Qi
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">K</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, by Wei-Liang Xie
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">L</emphasis>
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, by Jin-Wang.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. is distinct from all of its congeners by having fewer MT, enlarged posterior MT, cutting edges on both MT and DT, and three rows of large, black-bordered reddish brown dorsal blotches.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Additionally,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. can be distinguished from
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Boie, 1826),
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsoni" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsoni">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsoni</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
by having fewer ventral scales (202-204 vs. 226-239 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 222-236 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 228-247 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsoni" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsoni">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsoni</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 270-278 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and 223-261 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), fewer subcaudals (67-68 vs. 78-87 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 97-116 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 72-92 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsoni" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsoni">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsoni</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 92-102 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and 73-121 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), smaller body size (SVL 785 mm in single adult female vs. maximum SVL 1158 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. cantoris" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,&gt; 2000 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. climacophora" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 1190 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. hodgsoni" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="hodgsoni">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. hodgsoni</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 1602 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. moellendorffi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and&gt; 2000 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), and vastly different color pattern (Table
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 7" captionStartId="T7" captionText="Table 7. Diagnostic characters separating all 17 species of the Elaphe, with distinguishing characters marked in bold. *: Counts of PrO contain subpreocular." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D">7</tableCitation>
).
</paragraph>
<caption ID-Table-UUID="AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D" httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/AC52951C7E903AB3D7ACAE52F704828D" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Table 7" startId="T7">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Table 7.</emphasis>
Diagnostic characters separating all 17 species of the
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, with distinguishing characters marked in bold. *: Counts of PrO contain subpreocular.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<table pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">Species</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">maximum SVL (in mm)</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">DSR</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">SPL</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">IFL</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">PrO*</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">PtO</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">TMP</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">V</th>
<th colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">SC</th>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov.
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">785</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-21-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (7)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9 (10)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">202-204</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">67-68</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Boulenger" baseAuthorityYear="1916" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe anomala" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="anomala">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe anomala</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1925</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23 (21-25)-23 (19-23)-19 (17-19)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)+3 (2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">203-225</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">45-77</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Schmidt" authorityYear="1925" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe bimaculata" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">760</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">23 (23-25)-23 (21-25)-19 (21)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (7)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">170-209</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">61-81</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe cantoris" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="cantoris">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe cantoris</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1158</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">19 (20, 21)-19 (21-23)-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-10</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3 (2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">226-239</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">78-87</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Gunther" baseAuthorityYear="1864" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe carinata" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">&gt; 2000</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23 (21-25)-23 (21-25)-19 (17)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">186-227</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">69-102</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="H.Boie" baseAuthorityYear="1826" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe climacophora" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="climacophora">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe climacophora</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">&gt; 1500</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">NA-23 (25)-NA</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3 (2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">222-236</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">97-116</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Sauvage" baseAuthorityYear="1884" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe davidi" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1227</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25 (22-27)-23 (22-25)-19 (17-21)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (7)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">11-13</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1-4)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)+4 (2-3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">155-183</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">53-72</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Pallas" baseAuthorityYear="1773" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe dione" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">893</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">25 (21-27)-25 (21-27)-19 (17-21)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">168-206</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">51-84</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Shaw" authorityYear="1939" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe hodgsoni" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="hodgsoni">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe hodgsoni</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1190</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">23 (21-25)- 23 (21-25)-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-12</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)+3 (2, 4)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">228-247</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">72-92</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe moellendorffi" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="moellendorffi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe moellendorffi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1602</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25 (23-27)-27 (5)-19 (21)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">9 (10)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">10-13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)+3 (4)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">270-278</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">92-102</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Boie" baseAuthorityYear="1826" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe quadrivirgata" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">&gt;1000</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">NA-19-NA</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">11</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)+3 (2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">195-215</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">70-96</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Bonnaterre" baseAuthorityYear="1790" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe quatuorlineata" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">&gt; 2000</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25-25 (23-27)-19</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)+3 (4)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">187-234</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">56-90</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Pallas" baseAuthorityYear="1811" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe sauromates" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1250</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25 (21-27)-25 (23, 24)-19 (18-21)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (7-10)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11 (9-12)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2(1, 3)+ 4 (2-5)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">199-222</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">61-79</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe schrenckii" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="schrenckii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe schrenckii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">1335</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">23 (21)-23 (21)-19</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (7)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8-11</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3 (2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">208-224</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">57-75</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe taeniura" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">&gt; 2000</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25 (23)-23 (21, 25)-19 (17)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9 (6-10)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9-13</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)+3 (2-5)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">223-261</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">73-121</emphasis>
</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe urartica" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="urartica">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe urartica</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">970</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">25 (23, 24)- 25 (23, 24)-19 (18)</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">8 (9)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">11 (10-13)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (1, 3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2 (3)+ 4 (2, 3)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">154-211</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">60-74</td>
</tr>
<tr pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe zoigeensis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">722</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">21-19(21)-17</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">7-8</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">9</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">3</emphasis>
</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">2+3(2)</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">202-212</td>
<td colspan="1" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rowspan="1">68-79</td>
</tr>
</table>
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. can be differentiated from
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
Lacepede, 1789,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Pallas, 1811) and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. urartica" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="urartica">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. urartica</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Jablonski, Kukushkin, Avci, Bunyatova, Ilgaz, Tuniyev &amp; Jandzik, 2019) by having fewer dorsal scale rows (21-21-17 vs. 25-25 (23-27)-19 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 25 (21-27)-25 (23, 24)-19 (18-21) in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and 25 (23, 24)- 25 (23, 24)-19 (18) in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. urartica" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="urartica">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. urartica</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
) and a vastly different color pattern. Beyond that,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. xiphodonta" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. can be further differentiated from
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
by its smaller body size (SVL 785 mm in single adult female vs. maximum SVL&gt; 2000 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quatuorlineata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quatuorlineata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quatuorlineata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and 1250 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. sauromates" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="sauromates">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. sauromates</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
).
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. can be differentiated from
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Gunther" baseAuthorityYear="1864" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe carinata" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quadrivirgata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Boie, 1826) by its smaller body size (SVL 785 mm in single adult female vs. maximum SVL&gt; 2000 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 1227 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. davidi" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="davidi">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. davidi</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and&gt; 1000 mm in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quadrivirgata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), having fewer subcaudals (67-68 vs. 69-102 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. carinata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="carinata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. carinata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 70-96 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. quadrivirgata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="quadrivirgata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. quadrivirgata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), and a vastly different color pattern.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Despite the morphological similarities to
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. differs from them by having different dorsal scale row counts (21-21-17 vs. 23 (23-25)-23 (21-25)-19 (21) in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), fewer preoculars (2 vs. 3 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
), fewer MT (11/11 vs. 19/20 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. bimaculata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="bimaculata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. bimaculata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, 16-20 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. dione" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="dione">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. dione</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
, and 14-17 in
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Table
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 6" captionStartId="T6" captionText="Table 6. Dentition comparison of the Elaphe species and related colubrid species." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="C4D9A9ED08BFF8E3BE5928A552F1ACC6">6</tableCitation>
), blade-like posterior MT and the unique color pattern within the genus
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
.
</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="molecular phylogeny">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Molecular phylogeny.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
The ML and BI analyses produced identical topologies, which were integrated in Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 8" captionStartId="F8" captionText="Figure 8. Bayesian inferenced topology of 13 Elaphe species, based on the four partial mitochondrial DNA sequences (12 S rRNA, 16 S rRNA, CO 1 and Cytb genes). BPP and BS values, respectively, occur at the nodes." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure8" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563374" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">8</figureCitation>
. The pairwise distances based on CO1 and cytb genes among all species are given in the Tables
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 3" captionStartId="T3" captionText="Table 3. Uncorrected P - distance of CO 1 gene among 17 Elaphe species used in this study." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/D8DD4988C49A2576106C6876C660EE76" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="D8DD4988C49A2576106C6876C660EE76">3</tableCitation>
,
<tableCitation captionStart="Table 4" captionStartId="T4" captionText="Table 4. Uncorrected P - distance of cytb gene among 16 Elaphe species used in this study." httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/5CA70A649C900F0C9B7CB38B849770BF" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" tableUuid="5CA70A649C900F0C9B7CB38B849770BF">4</tableCitation>
, respectively.
</paragraph>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure8" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563374" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 8" startId="F8">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 8.</emphasis>
Bayesian inferenced topology of 13
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
species, based on the four partial mitochondrial DNA sequences (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, CO1 and Cytb genes). BPP and BS values, respectively, occur at the nodes.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
The phylogenetic analyses recovered a strongly supported monophyletic lineage containing all
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(BS 100; BPP 1.00) which can be divided into three strongly supported clades (BS 95-97; BPP 1.00). Clade 1 includes all species previously in the genus &quot;
<taxonomicName authorityName="Utiger, Helfenberger, Schatti, Schmidt, Ruf &amp; Ziswiler" authorityYear="2002" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Orthriophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Orthriophis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="genus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Orthriophis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
&quot; with strong nodal support (BS 95; BPP 1.00). Notable intraspecific genetic differentiation within
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. taeniura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="taeniura">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. taeniura</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(mean
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">p</emphasis>
-distances 6.8% in CO1, 5.4% in cytb), pertains to different geographical clades.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
The two samples from Chengguan Town, Shaanxi are clustered together with strong support (BS 100; BPP 1.00) with nearly no molecular divergence (mean
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">p</emphasis>
-distances 0% in CO1, 0% in cytb) between them. The clade of the above-mentioned specimens constitutes a sister clade with
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. zoigeensis" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="zoigeensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. zoigeensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Clade2, mean
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">p</emphasis>
-distances 8.4% in CO1, 13.3% in cytb).
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
Within Clade 3, the relationship between
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Boulenger" baseAuthorityYear="1916" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe anomala" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="anomala">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe anomala</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName lsidName="E. schrenckii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="schrenckii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">E. schrenckii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
are worth noting. These two species form a strongly supported monophyletic group (BS 100; BPP 1.00) bearing low interspecific molecular divergence (mean
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">p</emphasis>
-distances 0.0% in CO1, 0.4% in cytb), suggesting they may be different color morphs of the same species, as mention before (
<bibRefCitation DOI="https://doi.org/10.5635/KJSZ.2010.26.1.015" author="An, JH" journalOrPublisher="Animal Systematics Evolution and Diversity" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" pagination="15 - 19" refId="B1" refString="An, JH, Park, DS, Lee, JH, Kim, KS, Lee, H, Min, MS, 2010. No Genetic Differentiation of Elaphe schrenckii Subspecies in Korea Based on 9 Microsatellite Loci. Animal Systematics Evolution and Diversity 26 (1): 15 - 19, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5635/KJSZ.2010.26.1.015" title="No Genetic Differentiation of Elaphe schrenckii Subspecies in Korea Based on 9 Microsatellite Loci." url="https://doi.org/10.5635/KJSZ.2010.26.1.015" volume="26" year="2010">An et al. 2010</bibRefCitation>
). However, given their distinctive color pattern differences and obvious geographical separation, we follow the current taxonomy.
</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Based on their phylogenetic relationships, genetic differentiation, and morphological distinctiveness (see Taxonomic accounts below), we hypothesize that the population from Chengguan Town, Shaanxi represents a separately evolving lineage and should be described as a new species.</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
<subSubSection pageId="0" pageNumber="23" type="distribution">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Distribution, ecology and habit.</paragraph>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. is currently known only from the Chengguan Town, Ningshaan County, Shaanxi Province, China. The new species inhabits sunny or semi-sunny gravels and bushes on slopes of less than 20°, along
<normalizedToken originalValue="Changan">Chang'an</normalizedToken>
River with an average width of 3 m. Elevation of the habitat ranges from 1700 to 1900 m. The vegetation types are
<taxonomicName class="Pinopsida" family="Pinaceae" genus="Abies" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Plantae" lsidName="Abies fargesii" order="Pinales" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Coniferophyta" rank="species" species="fargesii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Abies fargesii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
forest with artificial
<taxonomicName class="Pinopsida" family="Pinaceae" genus="Picea" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Plantae" lsidName="Picea asperata" order="Pinales" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Coniferophyta" rank="species" species="asperata">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Picea asperata</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Burkill" authorityYear="1899" class="Ascidiacea" family="Polycitoridae" genus="Salix" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Salix fargesii" order="Aplousobranchia" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="fargesii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Salix fargesii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName class="Magnoliopsida" family="Rosaceae" genus="Rubus" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Plantae" lsidName="Rubus koereana" order="Rosales" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Tracheophyta" rank="species" species="koereana">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Rubus koereana</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Burkill" authorityYear="1899" class="Dicotyledoneae" family="Betulaceae" genus="Betula" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Plantae" lsidName="Betula albosinensis" order="Fagales" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Angiospermae" rank="species" species="albosinensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Betula albosinensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName authorityName="T. P. Yi &amp; J. X. Shao" authorityYear="1987" class="Monocotyledoneae" family="Poaceae" genus="Fargesia" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Plantae" lsidName="Fargesia qinlingensis" order="Graminales" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Angiospermae" rank="species" species="qinlingensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Fargesia qinlingensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
. The canopy density is 0.75 (
<bibRefCitation author="Bu, S" journalOrPublisher="Evolution" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" refId="B6" refString="Bu, S, Zheng, X, 2015. An illustrated guide to wildlife in Huoditang forest region of Qinling Mountain. Science Press, Beijing, 71-79. [in Chinese]" title="An illustrated guide to wildlife in Huoditang forest region of Qinling Mountain. Science Press, Beijing, 71 - 79. [in Chinese]" year="2015">Bu and Zheng 2015</bibRefCitation>
). The new species is sympatric with
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Liu, Hu &amp; Yang" baseAuthorityYear="1960" class="Amphibia" family="Dicroglossidae" genus="Nanorana" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Nanorana unculuanus" order="Anura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="unculuanus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Nanorana unculuanus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName authorityName="Fang" authorityYear="1985" class="Amphibia" family="Megophryidae" genus="Scutiger" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Scutiger ningshanensis" order="Anura" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="ningshanensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Scutiger ningshanensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Euprepiophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Euprepiophis perlaceus" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="perlaceus">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Euprepiophis perlaceus</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Boulenger" baseAuthorityYear="1891" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Rhabdophis" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Rhabdophis nuchalis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="nuchalis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Rhabdophis nuchalis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Yuan" baseAuthorityYear="1983" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Stichophanes" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Stichophanes ningshaanensis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="ningshaanensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Stichophanes ningshaanensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
,
<taxonomicName class="Reptilia" family="Viperidae" genus="Gloydius" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Gloydius qinlingensis" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="qinlingensis">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Gloydius qinlingensis</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
and
<taxonomicName baseAuthorityName="Günther" baseAuthorityYear="1875" class="Reptilia" family="Viperidae" genus="Protobothrops" higherTaxonomySource="GBIF,CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Protobothrops jerdonii" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="jerdonii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Protobothrops jerdonii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
(Fig.
<figureCitation captionStart="Figure 9" captionStartId="F9" captionText="Figure 9. Habitats of Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Ningshaan County, Shaanxi), Provide by Shu-Hai Bu." figureDoi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure9" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563375" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">9</figureCitation>
). When being captured, the new species flattens its head triangular and releases scent from the cloacal scent glands with smells a bit similar to
<taxonomicName lsidName="P. jerdonii" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" rank="species" species="jerdonii">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">P. jerdonii</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
.
</paragraph>
<caption doi="10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650.figure9" httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/563375" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" start="Figure 9" startId="F9">
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">
<emphasis bold="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Figure 9.</emphasis>
Habitats of
<taxonomicName authorityName="Qi &amp; Shi &amp; Ma &amp; Gao &amp; Bu &amp; Grismer &amp; Li &amp; Wang" authorityYear="2021" class="Reptilia" family="Colubridae" genus="Elaphe" higherTaxonomySource="CoL" kingdom="Animalia" lsidName="Elaphe xiphodonta" order="Squamata" pageId="0" pageNumber="23" phylum="Chordata" rank="species" species="xiphodonta">
<emphasis italics="true" pageId="0" pageNumber="23">Elaphe xiphodonta</emphasis>
</taxonomicName>
sp. nov. (Ningshaan County, Shaanxi), Provide by Shu-Hai Bu.
</paragraph>
</caption>
<paragraph pageId="0" pageNumber="23">In feeding habits, the fecal samples from the holotype were checked and contained only feathers, indicating that this species is at least a bird-eater. The holotype was observed to prey on captive nesting quail and quail egg.</paragraph>
</subSubSection>
</treatment>
</document>