Gloydius intermedius ( Strauch, 1868 )

Gloydius intermedius ( Strauch, 1868) View in CoL

Fig. 9 View Figure 9

Referred specimen.

19 GNK 002, deposited in Nanjing Forestry University, PR China.

Identification.

The species-level identification of the specimen is based on diagnostic scalation, coloration, multivariate morphological analyses, comparisons to the live individuals of the same species (Fig. 1 E, F View Figure 1 ), and corroborated by molecular analyses.

Color in preservation.

The specimen is significantly discolored, and the characteristic coloration of G. intermedius is not well-preserved. The head shape is also considerably distorted from preservation. The dorsal coloration of the specimen is pale bluish-grey. At least 21 irregular crossbands are clearly visible. However, it is difficult to count the total number of crossbands due to discoloration in the posterior half of the specimen. Unlike vouchers 19 GNK 001, 19 GNK 003, and 19 GNK 004, distinct postocular bands are not present. Overall, the supra- and infralabials have beige coloration with small dark brown spots. Except for the anteriormost portion, the ventral surface of the specimen is largely greenish-grey in color. There are black markings running down the center of the ventral scales. These markings expand in the posterior 2 / 3 of the body, where the ventral surface appears almost black in color.

Scalation and morphology.

Supralabials 8 / 7 (left / right). Infralabials 10 / 10 (left / right). Midbody dorsal scale rows 21. Ventral scales 156. Subcaudal scales 43. The following morphological measurements are given in millimeters (mm). TOL 605 mm. SVL 518 mm. TAL 87 mm. HL 29.7 mm. HW 19.1 mm. HH 14.4 mm. ED 3.5 mm. IOD 9.9 mm.