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A Range Extension of Trimeresurus mayaae Rathee, Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Dalal, Biakzuala, Muansanga et Mirza, 2022 (Serpentes: Viperidae), with Remarks on Its Pholidosis, Natural History, and Conservation Status

Tan Van Nguyen, Patrick David, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Gernot Vogel

Abstract


The pitviper species Trimeresurus mayaae Rathee, Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Dalal, Biakzuala, Muansanga et Mirza, 2022, was recently described from northeastern India. As part of our ongoing investigations into the systematics of the subgenus Viridovipera Malhotra et Thorpe within the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, we present new data on this poorly known species. Our findings are based on the re-examination of seven preserved specimens and the assessment of three additional individuals previously reported in the literature from northwestern Myanmar and northeastern India. These specimens were initially misidentified as Trimeresurus gumprechti, T. stejnegeri, or T. yunnanensis. This work provides the first record of T. mayaae from Myanmar and extend the known distribution of the species. We also update its diagnostic morphological characters and provide new insights into its natural history. We suggest the species should be assessed as Least Concern (LC) following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

Keywords


subgenus Viridovipera; morphology; new record; taxonomy; Myanmar; India

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2026-33-1-51-65

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