Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. (Squamata: Viperidae), the Second Known Species of Lance-Headed Pit Viper from Thailand

Authors

  • Montri Sumontha Ranong Marine Fisheries Research and Development Station, 157 M.1 Chaloem Phra Kiat Rd., Paknam, Muang, Ranong 85000, THAILAND
  • Taksa Vasaruchapong Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, 1871 Rama 4 Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, THAILAND
  • Niruth Chomngam 54 M.2 Tha Pha, Ban Pong, Ratchaburi 70110, THAILAND
  • Sunutcha Suntrarachun Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, 1871 Rama 4 Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, THAILAND
  • Parinya Pawangkhanant Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, 1061 Soi 15, Itsaraphab Rd., Hiran Ruchi, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, THAILAND
  • Weerasak Sompan Omkoi District Non-Formal and Informal Education Centre "Mae Fa Luang", Baan Tee Tor Ta M.1 Sop Khong, Omkoi, Chiang Mai 50310, THAILAND
  • Ton Smits 105 M.4 Kaeng Krachan, Phetchaburi 76170, THAILAND
  • Kirati Kunya Nakhonratchasima Zoo, 111 M. 1, Ratchasima-Pak Tongchai Rd., Chaimongkol, Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, THAILAND
  • Lawan Chanhome Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, 1871 Rama 4 Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, THAILAND

Keywords:

Protobothrops, Crotalinae, new species, montane forest, Thailand

Abstract

Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. is described from dry evergreen forest in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, based on morphology and a molecular phylogeny. It differs from congeners by the following combination of characters: 1) relatively large body size (total length up to 1,310 mm); 2) dorsal scale rows 23–23–17, all keeled; 3) ventral scales 231–234; 4) subcaudal scales 80–84, paired; 5) supralabials 8–9; 6) infralabials 12–13; 7) typical lance-pattern on upper head surface; 8) three bold vertical facial stripes; and 9) dorsal and tail brown, each scale with dark reddish-brown transverse blotches, edged in black, somewhat fused together as a median zigzag line on dorsum, a row of large ventrolateral blotches on each side, each darker marking edged by a narrow yellow line. The new discovery and other recent findings suggest that further herpetological research is required in the montane forest of northern Thailand and adjacent Myanmar and Laos. Data on the natural history of the new species and an updated key to the species of Protobothrops are provided. This is the second species of Lance-headed Pit Viper recorded from Thailand after P. mucrosquamatus.

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Published

2020-03-10

How to Cite

[1]
Sumontha, M., Vasaruchapong, T., Chomngam, N., Suntrarachun, S., Pawangkhanant, P., Sompan, W., Smits, T., Kunya, K. and Chanhome, L. 2020. Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. (Squamata: Viperidae), the Second Known Species of Lance-Headed Pit Viper from Thailand. Tropical Natural History. 20, 1 (Mar. 2020), 43–59.

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