Gloydius ussuriensis ( Emelianov, 1929 )

Gloydius ussuriensis ( Emelianov, 1929) View in CoL

Figs 6 View Figure 6 , 7 View Figure 7

Referred specimens.

Vouchers 19 GNK 001 and 19 GNK 004, deposited in Nanjing Forestry University, PR China.

Identification.

The species-level identification of the specimens is based on diagnostic scale counts, body patterns, multivariate morphological analyses, comparisons to the live individuals of the same species (Fig. 1 A, B View Figure 1 ) and confirmed by molecular analyses.

Color in preservation (19 GNK 001).

The specimen shows considerable discoloration, and the characteristic coloration of G. ussuriensis is not well-preserved. The dorsal part of the specimen is greyish-brown in color. A series of inconspicuous circular patterns are present along the length of the body. The patterns are separated at the anterior portion of the body but gradually merge in the posterior half of the body. When viewed from the lateral side, the postocular bands are dark brown in coloration. The supra- and infralabials are immaculate and have light brown / pale orange coloration. The ventrals are light brown / pale orange in coloration and largely immaculate in the anterior half of the body, and small dark brown spots are visible on the posterior half of the body.

Scalation and morphology (19 GNK 001).

Supralabials 7 / 7 (left / right). Infralabials 10 / 10 (left / right). Midbody dorsal scale rows 21. Ventral scales 147. Subcaudal scales 46. The following morphological measurements are given in millimeters (mm). TOL 482 mm. SVL 408 mm. TAL 74 mm. HL 16.9 mm. HW 11.5 mm. HH 9.4 mm. ED 2.5 mm. IOD 7.4 mm.

Color in preservation (19 GNK 004).

The specimen shows considerable discoloration, and the characteristic coloration of G. ussuriensis is not well-preserved. The dorsal coloration of the specimen is brownish-grey. A series of inconspicuous circular patterns are present along the length of the body, most of which are joined in the middle to form irregular band-like patterns. When viewed from the lateral side, the postocular bands are pale brownish-grey in color. The supra- and infralabials are immaculate and light beige in color. The ten anteriormost ventrals are immaculate and beige in coloration. However, small black and dark grey markings are visible on the remaining ventrals. The ventral coloration gradually changes from beige to dark brownish-grey with the increase in the number and size of dark-colored markings.

Scalation and morphology (19 GNK 004).

Supralabials 7 / 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 574 mm. SVL 499 mm. TAL 75 mm. HL 26.4 mm. HW 16.4 mm. HH 10.3 mm. ED 3.5 mm. IOD 8.7 mm.