A New Species of the Genus Protobothrops (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from the Dabie Mountains, Anhui, China: A New Species of the Genus Protobothrops (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from the Dabie Mountains, Anhui, China

Abstract

During a biological survey in July 2011, a pit viper was collected from the Yaoluoping Nature Reserve in the Dabie Mountains, Anhui, China. The pit viper's the total length measured 836 mm with a dorsal ground color of yellow- brown, decorated by 56 dark-brown transverse bands. The 4 th supralabial squama of the new species is separated from subocular by two squamae, and the tip of tail is orange; this combination of characters distinguish it from other species of the genus Protobothrops. Based on the body proportions, number of squamae, body color pattern, and comparing the data of its life history with those of other species of Protobothrops, we herein describe it as a new species, belonging to the genus of Protobothrops.