taxonID	type	description	language	source
79C28AE371135D6B9C7178F9CF54FD17.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Revised diagnosis: Pareas boulengeri can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characteristics (Fig. 3): (1) medium body size (TL 308 – 566 mm, n = 5 females; 362 – 565 mm, n = 6 males); (2) gray – brown or tan body, with many dorsal scales and covered with dark brown spots; (3) length of suture between internasals is distinctly shorter than that between the prefrontals, with a prefrontal bordering orbit; (4) frontal is subhexagonal to diamond-shaped, with its lateral sides converging posteriorly; (5) anterior pair of chin shields is longer than broad, with the loreal bordering the orbit; (6) the prefrontal contacts the eye, and there is one subocular scale with no preocular scales; (7) 7 – 8 supralabials and 9 infralabial scales; (8) rows of 15 - 15 - 15 dorsal scales, mid-dorsal scales smooth, and the vertebral scale row is not enlarged; (9) 175 – 188 ventrals scales, 57 – 66 subcaudals scales, divided, with a single cloacal plate; (10) prefrontal and postfrontal bones exhibit contact, asymmetric teeth number in maxilla, palatine, pterygoid, and dentary bones (MX 4 – 5 / 5, PAL 3 / 3, PT 9 – 13 / 9 – 11, DT 16 – 18 / 20 – 21); (11) dorsal surface of the head displays a dense configuration of black, coarse spots; two black longitudinal stripes extend posteriorly, located behind the parietal and supraocular scales, converging into a prominent black stripe in the neck region; a slender black horizontal line is present on the lateral aspect of the head, posterior to the eye and extending toward the corner of the mouth.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	discussion	Pareas boulengeri (Chen et al. 2006; Pan et al. 2014). Chresonymy.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. refers to the distribution of the new species in the Dabie Mountains. We recommend designating this new species Dabie Mountains Slug-eating Snake and 大别山钝头蛇 (Dà Bié Shān Dùn Tóu Shé).	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by several morphological characteristics (Table 2): (1) medium body size (TL 443 – 517 mm, n = 3 males); (2) yellow – brown body featuring numerous irregular black horizontal stripes; (3) the length of the suture between the internasals is subequal to that between the prefrontals, with the prefrontal bordering the orbit; (4) the frontal is subhexagonal to diamond-shaped, with its lateral sides converging posteriorly; (5) the anterior pair of chin shields is longer than broad; the loreal scale partially borders the orbit; (6) the prefrontal contacts the eye, and there are two subocular scales; (7) 7 – 8 supralabials and 9 infralabial scales; (8) 15 - 15 - 15 rows of dorsal scales, with mid-dorsal scales smooth, and the vertebral scale row is not enlarged; (9) 184 – 187 ventral scales and 68 – 74 subcaudals, divided, with a single cloacal plate; (10) prefrontal and postfrontal bones do not exhibit contact, asymmetric teeth number in maxilla, palatine, pterygoid, and dentary bones (MX 5 / 5, PAL 3 / 3, PT 10 – 11 / 9 – 11, DT 16 – 18 / 20); (11) dorsal surface of the head exhibits a dense arrangement of small, black spots; three distinct black vertical stripes on the lateral aspect of the head, which do not converge; the central horizontal stripe, posterior to the supraorbital scales, extends posteriorly toward the neck; additionally, a horizontal stripe posterior to the eyes terminates at the posterior margin of the head; two black horizontal stripes are in the supraocular and postocular regions, extending only to the posterior margin of the head.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	description	Holotype description. An adult male with a total length of 506 mm (SVL 398 mm, TaL 108 mm); relatively short tail (TaL / TL ratio 0.21); body slender, slightly compressed; head distinct from neck, snout wide and blunt, projecting beyond lower jaw; head elongate, clearly distinct from neck; snout round in dorsal view; eye slightly enlarged, pupil vertical and slightly elliptical; rostral approximately as wide as high, slightly visible from above; nasal undivided; internasal elongated; prefrontal, approximately trapezoidal, bordering orbits; frontal shield-shaped, slightly longer than wide; parietals large, longer than wide, gradual narrowing posteriorly, median suture approximately equal to length of frontal; one loreal, in contact with eye; two subocular scales, the anterior scale is diminutive, and the posterior scale is fused with the postocular scale, extending anteriorly beneath the eyes; temporals 2 + 3 / 2 + 3; 7 / 8 supralabial scales; 9 / 9 infralabials; 3 chin-shield pairs; dorsal scales exhibit a smooth texture and are arranged in 15 rows along the body, while the dorsal scale does not exhibit enlargement; 190 ventral scales; 70 subcaudals scales, paired; single cloacal plate. Prefrontal and postfrontal bones do not exhibit contact, asymmetric teeth number in maxilla, palatine, pterygoid, and dentary bones (MX 5 / 5, PAL 3 / 3, PT 10 / 9, DT 18 / 21).	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Based on the existing distribution data, it is speculated that this species is mainly distributed in the Dabie Mountain area at the junction of Anhui, Henan, and Hubei Province (Fig. 1). It inhabits mountainous regions, frequently residing near low shrubs adjacent to streams in low-altitude areas, and primarily feeds on slugs and snails.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	discussion	Pareas boulengeri (Chen 1991; Zhao et al. 1998). Chresonymy.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Pareas orientalis sp. nov. refers to the new species in eastern China. We recommend designating this new species the Eastern China slug-eating snake and 华东钝头蛇 (Huá Dōng Dùn Tóu Shé).	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Pareas orientalis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners based on the following morphological characteristics: (1) medium body size (TL 311 – 452 mm, n = 3 females; 420 – 524 mm, n = 6 males); (2) yellow – brown body coloration with many irregular black horizontal stripes; (3) the length of suture between internasals subequal to that between the prefrontals, with prefrontal bordering orbit; (4) the frontal subhexagonal to diamond-shaped with lateral sides converging posteriorly; (5) one subocular, one preocular, one loreal, and only tip bordering eye; (6) the prefrontal contacts the eye, and there one subocular scale fused with postocular scale; (7) 7 – 8 supralabial scales, 9 infralabial scales; (8) rows of 15 - 15 - 15 dorsal scales, three rows of mid-dorsal scales slightly keeled at the midline, median vertebral scale row not enlarged; (9) 175 – 187 ventrals, 69 – 75 subcaudals, divided, with a single cloacal plate; (10) prefrontal and postfrontal bones do not exhibit contact, asymmetric teeth number in maxilla, palatine, pterygoid, and dentary bones (MX 6 – 7 / 5 – 6, PAL 3 / 3 – 4, PT 12 – 14 / 12 – 13, DT 17 – 19 / 21 – 23); (11) dorsal surface of the head exhibits a dense arrangement of small, black spots; two black longitudinal stripes extend posteriorly, behind the parietal and supraocular scales, converging into a prominent black stripe in the neck region; a slender black horizontal line is present on the lateral aspect of the head, posterior to the eye and extending toward the corner of the mouth.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	description	Holotype description. An adult male with a 515 mm total length (SVL 405 mm, TaL 110 mm); relatively short tail (TaL / TL ratio 0.21); body slender, slightly compressed; head distinct from neck with a wide and blunt snout, projecting beyond lower jaw; head elongate, clearly distinct from neck; snout round in dorsal view; eye slightly enlarged, pupil vertical and slightly elliptical; rostral approximately as wide as high, slightly visible from above; nasal undivided; internasal elongated; prefrontal, approximately trapezoidal, bordering orbits; frontal shield-shaped, slightly longer than wide; parietals large, longer than wide, gradually narrows posteriorly, median suture approximately equal to length of frontal; one loreal, in contact with eye; one triangular preocular scale; one subocular scale that converges with the postocular scale, extending from the posterior aspect of the eye to the ventral corner of the eye; temporals 2 + 3 / 2 + 3; 8 / 8 supralabial scales; 9 / 9 infralabials; three chin-shield pairs; dorsal scales are mostly smooth, with three rows of mid-dorsal scales slightly keeled at the midline and arranged in 15 rows, while dorsal scales are not enlarged; 182 ventral scales; 72 subcaudal scales, paired; single cloacal plate. Prefrontal and postfrontal bones do not exhibit contact, asymmetric teeth number in maxilla, palatine, pterygoid, and dentary bones (MX 7 / 6, PAL 3 / 4, PT 14 / 12, DT. 8 / 23).	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Based on the available distribution data, this species is hypothesized to be predominantly located in southern Anhui, southern Jiangsu, northern Jiangxi, and Zhejiang (Fig. 1). It inhabits mountainous regions, frequently residing near low shrubs adjacent to streams in low-altitude areas, and primarily feeds on slugs and snails.	en	Zhang, Cai-wen, Xu, Shi-hang, Luo, Tao, Liu, Chong, Yu, Lei, Zhou, Jiang, Pan, Tao, Zhang, Bao-wei (2025): Taxonomic and distributional revision of Pareas boulengeri (Reptilia, Squamata, Pareidae), including two new species from eastern and central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101 (4): 1621-1638, DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.156697
