On further specimens of the Pit viper Trimeresurus erythrurus (Cantor, ۱۸۳۹) (Squamata: Viperidae), with description of a topotype and range extension to the Godavari Basin, peninsular India

We report on a topotypical specimen of the spot-tailed pit viper Trimeresurus erythrurus recorded from Sunderbans in India and a distant, southerly, range extension from Kakinada mangroves, based on preserved (n= ۱, seen in ۲۰۱۹) and live uncollected (n= ۲; seen in ۲۰۱۴) specimens, respectively. The specimens (n= ۳) share the following characteristics: verdant green dorsum, yellow iris, white ventrolateral stripes in males, ۲۳ midbody scale rows, ۱۶۱–۱۷۲ ventrals, ۶۱–۷۶ subcaudals, and reddish tail tip. Drawing on the published records, its apparent rarity within its type locality and lack of records from the Circar Coast of India, our study significantly adds to the knowledge of the distribution and morphology of this species. Being a medically important venomous snake, its presence in the Godavari mangrove basin calls for wider dissemination of this information among medical practitioners, in addition to fundamental researchers like academics and herpetologists.

کلیدواژه ها:

Circar Coast ، Kakinada ، mangrove ، morphology ، Sunderbans ، West Bengal