This study presents a comprehensive morphological comparison along with molecular phylogeny of the genus Gloydius based on five mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, COI, cytb, and ND4). The specimens collected from Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve are shown to be a new species, Gloydiuslateralis sp. nov. Zhang, Shi, Jiang & Shi based on a combination of morphological and molecular accounts. G.lateralis sp. nov. differs from other congeneric species by a series of diagnostic morphological characteristics and forms a strongly supported monophyletic group. The new species is phylogenetically closely related to G.swild, another recently described species from Heishui, Aba, Sichuan.
Keywords: Asian pitviper; Gloydiuslateralis; Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve; morphology; new species; phylogenetics.
Mei-Hua Zhang, Sheng-Chao Shi, Cheng Li, Peng Yan, Ping Wang, Li Ding, Jie Du, Anđelka Plenković-Moraj, Jian-Ping Jiang, Jing-Song Shi.