Rediscovery and systematics of the rarely encountered Blue-bellied kukri snake (Oligodon melaneus Wall, 1909) from Assam, India

Author:

DAS ABHIJITORCID,GOWER DAVID J.ORCID,NARAYANAN SURYAORCID,PAL SAUNAKORCID,BORUAH BITUPANORCID,MAGAR SANJAY,DAS SANJIB,MOULICK SOUMABRATA,DEEPAK V.

Abstract

We report the rediscovery of Oligodon melaneus 112 years after its original description and document the third, and only non-type, specimen for the species. The new specimen was found 267 km east of the type locality (Tindharia, West Bengal state) from Assam state, India. We designate a lectotype for the species, and provide an extended description of a freshly collected male specimen. Phylogenetic analyses of 16s and cytb mitochondrial genes provide support for O. melaneus being closely related to the widespread South Asian endemic O. arnensis.  

Publisher

Magnolia Press

Subject

Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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