Distribution pattern, zoogeographic similarities and affinities of montane herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, peninsular India

We examined the distribution pattern, across-site similarities and zoogeographic affinities of amphibians and reptiles in the montane zones (> 900 m a.s.l.) of the Southern Eastern Ghats mountains in peninsular India. We deployed long-term field surveys in four select massifs namely Jawadi, Shevaroys, Kolli and Sirumalai and generated herpetofaunal species lists. Based solely on our species occurrence data, we identified taxa that characterise sites, site-pairs and site-clusters. We quantified the number of the various target taxa characterising each such Operational Geographic Unit. To infer faunal similarities, we performed cluster analysis using Jaccard’s similarity index. Our cluster diagram tree topologies differed between the various target taxa. The pooled data (amphibians, lizards and snakes) tree topology was similar to that of the lizard trees but the amphibian- and snake-similarity trees were similar in their topologies. Our observations and analyses indicate that physical separation distance and intervening rivers between massifs decreased herpetofaunal similarity. To identify the zoogeographic affinities of range-restricted taxa, we segregated the species into classes, based on decreasing extent of their geographic ranges. Our analyses reveal that widespread species were predominant in this community even at high elevations, followed by Western Ghats dispersers, Eastern Ghats endemics (both presumed and confirmed), and lastly peninsular Indian and Sri Lankan elements

Disentangling vines: a study of morphological crypsis and genetic divergence in vine snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Ahaetulla) with the description of five new species from Peninsular India

Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Srikanthan, Achyuthan N., Pal, Saunak P., D'Souza, Princia Margaret, Shanker, Kartik, Ganesh, Sumaithangi Rajagopalan (2020): Disentangling vines: a study of morphological crypsis and genetic divergence in vine snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Ahaetulla) with the description of five new species from Peninsular India. Zootaxa 4874 (1): 1-62, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4874.1.

Taxonomic revaluation of the Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) complex from Northeast India: resurrection and redescription of Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae)

The taxonomic status of the nominal taxon Dryophis prasinus flavescens Wall, 1910 is reevaluated herein. Based on molecular data generated from fresh collections of Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) auctorum from Northeast India and, additionally, morphological data from museum specimens originating from the same areas, we resurrect this taxon as Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. We clarify the status, identity and locations of its type specimens, rediscover, redescribe and illustrate those specimens and also designate a lectotype in order to effect a proper taxonomic redefinition of this nominal taxon. We provide further details on the morphology and diagnosis of this species and elucidate its phylogenetic position. We also provide a summary of the natural history and distribution of this species. Adding to the known cryptic diversity and genetic divergence within Southeast Asian populations, this work also hints at the need for a taxonomic revision of the A. prasina complex. This work complements a previous study on the A. prasina complex focusing on populations in Indonesia. Taken together, these two studies represent phylogenetic reconstructions from different populations of the A. prasina complex across its distribution range, on the Asian mainland and the surrounding islands