Post by Sebbe on Nov 1, 2015 10:02:19 GMT
Notes on the natural history and morphology of the Ningshan Lined Snake (Stichophanes ningshaanensis Yuen, 1983; Ophidia: Colubridae) and its distribution in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, China
amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_9_no_2/ARC_9_2_[General_Section]_111-119_e103_high_res.pdf
The present study reports on the natural history of the Ningshan Lined Snake
(Stichophanes ningshaanensis) in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve (NNR) in western Hubei
Province, China. Prior to this work, little was known about the natural history of this species due to
a paucity of specimens since the original description in 1983. Since its discovery, only the original
three specimens were known to science, all of which are now lost or destroyed. Over the course
of five summers, we observed 24 specimens within the Shennongjia NNR. We report on its natural
history, including seasonal activity, habitat and environmental preferences, breeding behavior, sexual
dimorphism, and incubation data for the eggs. We reiterate the morphological differences between
Stichophanes, its former genus Oligodon, and members of Pareatidae. In China, Stichophanes is
not protected under law due to the species being classified as “Data Deficient.” The species exhibits
sexual dimorphism and dichromatism, i.e., males are smaller than females and the sexes differ in
color. The species has unique breeding habits in mid-summer, and copulation occurs immediately
after oviposition of the females. The number of eggs per clutch ranges from eight to nine, and takes
64 days to hatch.
(Stichophanes ningshaanensis) in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve (NNR) in western Hubei
Province, China. Prior to this work, little was known about the natural history of this species due to
a paucity of specimens since the original description in 1983. Since its discovery, only the original
three specimens were known to science, all of which are now lost or destroyed. Over the course
of five summers, we observed 24 specimens within the Shennongjia NNR. We report on its natural
history, including seasonal activity, habitat and environmental preferences, breeding behavior, sexual
dimorphism, and incubation data for the eggs. We reiterate the morphological differences between
Stichophanes, its former genus Oligodon, and members of Pareatidae. In China, Stichophanes is
not protected under law due to the species being classified as “Data Deficient.” The species exhibits
sexual dimorphism and dichromatism, i.e., males are smaller than females and the sexes differ in
color. The species has unique breeding habits in mid-summer, and copulation occurs immediately
after oviposition of the females. The number of eggs per clutch ranges from eight to nine, and takes
64 days to hatch.
amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_9_no_2/ARC_9_2_[General_Section]_111-119_e103_high_res.pdf