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Issue: Vol. 5588 No. 1: 13 Feb. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-02-13
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5588.1.7
Page range: 161-173
Abstract views: 291
PDF downloaded: 22

Notes on the rare Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) (Squamata: Homalopsidae) endemic to Peninsular Malaysia with comments on its taxonomy and a range extension for the species

Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation; Universiti Malaysia Sabah; Jalan UMS; 88400; Kota Kinabalu; Sabah; Malaysia; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum; National University of Singapore; 2 Conservatory Drive; Singapore 117377; School of Biological Sciences; Universiti Sains Malaysia; 11800 Minden; Penang; Malaysia
Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; 21030 Kuala Nerus; Terengganu
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor; MI 48109-1085; USA
Herpetology Laboratory; Department of Biology; La Sierra University; 4500 Riverwalk Parkway; Riverside; California 92515 USA; Department of Herpetology; San Diego Natural History Museum; PO Box 121390; San Diego; California; 92112; USA
Faculty of Science and Marine Environment; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; 21030 Kuala Nerus; Terengganu; Malaysia
Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; 21030 Kuala Nerus; Terengganu; Faculty of Science and Marine Environment; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; 21030 Kuala Nerus; Terengganu; Malaysia
Reptilia Reptile Serpentes Enhydris conservation endemic biodiversity herpetology herpetofauna

Abstract

The Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) is a rare species of homalopsid known only from four specimens. In this study we report on a relatively recently collected specimen from Merapoh, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, compared with previously collected material. Variations in pholidosis and colour pattern were noted and discussed. The species is morphologically similar in body shape and colour pattern to the sympatric Hypsiscopus plumbeus, for which additional data is presented for Peninsular Malaysian specimens to clarify possible taxonomic confusions. The new record represents a range extension for the species of ~ 47 km to the west and is the third report of the species from the state of Pahang.

 

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