identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
79C28AE371135D6B9C7178F9CF54FD17.text	79C28AE371135D6B9C7178F9CF54FD17.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pareas boulengeri (Angel 1920)	<div><p>Pareas Boulengeri (Angel, 1920)</p><p>Amblycephalus Boulengeri (Angel, 1920) .</p><p>Amblycephalus monticola boulengeri (Mell, 1931) .</p><p>Pareas boulengeri (Hu et al. 1973; Zhao et al. 1998, Chen et al. 2006; Guo and Deng 2006; Zhao 2006; Wallach et al. 2014; Vogel 2015).</p><p>Pareas (Eberhardtia) boulengeri (Poyarkov et al. 2022) .</p><p>Type locality.</p><p>Région de Koeï Tchéou, Chine. ” [= Guizhou region, southeastern China, ca. 27°N, 107°E].</p><p>Syntypes.</p><p>MNHN-RA 1912.0349 (470 mm specimen), MNHN-RA 1912.0350 (82 mm specimen), and MNHN-RA 1912.0351 (460 mm specimen) (Révérend Père avalerie).</p><p>Specimens examined.</p><p>Nine specimens were assessed (3 females and 6 males); all were molecularly identified as the species Pareas boulengeri . Four of the specimens were obtained from Liupanshui Normal University in Shuicheng City, Guizhou Province, China, with the following identifiers: LPSSY 2024070903 (male), LPASY 2022070601 (male), LPSSY 2021070801 (female), and LPSSY 2024070902 (female). One specimen was collected from the Shuicheng District of Liupanshui City: LPSSC 2024070502 (female). One specimen was obtained from Yushe National Forest Park in Shuicheng City, Liupanshui City: LPSYS 2022062802 (female). The remaining three specimens were obtained from Huangping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province: GZNU 20180515017 (female), GZNU 2018052303 (male), and GZNU 2018052302 (male).</p><p>Common name.</p><p>The common English name is Boulenger’s Slug Snake; the common Chinese name is 平鳞钝头蛇 (Píng Lín Dùn Tóu Shé).</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>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.</p><p>Remarks.</p><p>The type locality of Pareas boulengeri is in the “ Région de Koeï Tchéou, Chine ” [= Guizhou region, southeastern China, approximately 27°N, 107°E], according to the original description; however, the specific locus remains unknown. Subsequently, this species has been reported from multiple localities in central, eastern, and southern China (Zhao et al. 1998; Chen et al. 2006; Guo and Deng 2006). However, based on voucher specimens and molecular data from this study, P. boulengeri is currently only within Chongqing, Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan. The populations in southern Gansu and southern Shaanxi are temporarily classified as P. boulengeri . Previous records from the Dabie Mountains, at the junction of Anhui, Henan, and Hubei, should be assigned to P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. (Chen et al. 2006; Pan et al. 2014; this study), while previous records from southern Anhui, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang should be assigned to P. orientalis sp. nov. (this study).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/79C28AE371135D6B9C7178F9CF54FD17	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Zhang, Cai-wen;Xu, Shi-hang;Luo, Tao;Liu, Chong;Yu, Lei;Zhou, Jiang;Pan, Tao;Zhang, Bao-wei	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.text	634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pareas dabieshanensis Zhang, Pan & Zhang 2025	<div><p>Pareas dabieshanensis Zhang, Pan &amp; Zhang sp. nov.</p><p>Pareas boulengeri (Chen et al. 2006; Pan et al. 2014). Chresonymy.</p><p>Type materials.</p><p>Holotype: • An adult male (Fig. 4, AHU 2024042601) was collected from the <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=115.6831&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=31.225" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 115.6831/lat 31.225)">Tianma National Nature Reserve</a> (31.2250°N, 115.6831°E; elevation 807 m a. s. l.) in Jinzhai County, Luan City, Anhui Province, China, by Tao Pan and Wen-gang Li on April 26, 2024.</p><p>Paratypes: • One adult male specimen (AHU 2014100801) was collected from the Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve in Yuexi County, Anqing City, Anhui Province, China, by Tao Pan on October 08, 2014 . • One adult male specimen (AHU 2021050201) was collected from the Taiyang Township in Huoshan County, Luan City, Anhui Province, China, by Caiwen Zhang on May 02, 2021 .</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>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).</p><p>Diagnosis.</p><p>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.</p><p>Holotype description.</p><p>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).</p><p>Coloration in life.</p><p>Dorsal surface of the head exhibits a dense arrangement of small, black spots; three distinct black vertical stripes appear on the lateral aspect of the head and do not converge; the central horizontal stripe, posterior to the supraorbital scales, extends posteriorly toward the neck. A horizontal stripe posterior to the eyes terminates at the posterior margin of the head. Furthermore, two black horizontal stripes in the supraocular and postocular regions extend only to the posterior margin of the head. The dorsal surface is further distinguished by a yellowish-brown coloration featuring 47 irregular and discontinuous black horizontal stripes. In contrast, the ventral side exhibits a grayish-white coloration, adorned with scattered fine black spots.</p><p>Coloration in preservative.</p><p>In its preserved form (Fig. 4), the specimen’s coloration resembles its living appearance. However, the once yellowish – red dorsal surfaces of the head and body fade to a pinkish – brown, with a notable reduction in vibrancy. The black stripes along the sides of the body and tail remain visible, preserving their contrast despite the fading in other areas. The pinkish – yellow belly and ventral portion of the head and tail also lighten to a pinkish – white. Moreover, the iris becomes grayish-black, while the pupil becomes white, reflecting additional changes in pigmentation due to the preservation process.</p><p>Variation.</p><p>The three adult male specimens exhibited nearly identical morphological characteristics. The fundamental statistics related to the morphological measurements are presented in Suppl. material 1: tables S 2, S 3. The number of posterior temporals ranged from two to three. The number of vertical black stripes on each side of the body ranged from 48 to 53, while the iris color in the paratypes varied from reddish-yellow to yellow.</p><p>Distribution and habitat.</p><p>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.</p><p>Comparison.</p><p>Comparisons between the new species and its congeners are summarized in Table 2. Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. was previously classified as P. boulengeri . However, this newly identified species can be differentiated from P. boulengeri in southwest China based on a higher number of subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 57–66), two subocular scales (vs. one and fused suboculars with postoculars) (Fig. 5), and prefrontal and postfrontal bones do not exhibit contact (vs. contact) (Fig. 6).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. andersonii, P. macularius, P. margaritophorus, and P. modestus by its yellow – brown dorsum featuring irregular dark bands (vs. uniform grey to black to dark coloration with bicolored spots), the loreal contacting the eye (vs. the loreal not contacting the eye), a greater number of ventral scales (184–187 vs. 141–162, 151–173, 133–160, or 151–159, respectively), and a greater number of subcaudals (68–74 vs. 35–47, 57–66, 35–54, or 35–46, respectively).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from P. abros, P. atayal, P. baiseensis, P. berdmorei, P. carinatus, P. formosensis, P. geminatus, P. guanyinshanensis, P. hamptoni, P. kaduri, P. komaii, P. kuznetsovorum, P. niger, P. nuchalis, P. temporalis, P. tigerinus, and P. xuelinensis by the presence of a loreal scale in contact with the eye (vs. the loreal scale not contacting the eye).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. chinensis by the absence of preoculars (vs. one preocular), two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. not fused), dorsal scales not enlarged (vs. one vertebral scale row enlarged), and dorsal scale smooth at midbody (vs. three keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from Pareas dulongjiangensis by lacking preoculars (vs. one preocular), having two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. only one and suboculars fused with postoculars), dorsal scales not enlarged (vs. three vertebral scale rows enlarged), and a dorsal scale smooth at midbody (vs. five keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from Pareas iwasakii by the absence of preoculars (vs. one preocular), having postoculars fused with suboculars (vs. distinct and separated postoculars and suboculars), fewer ventral scales (184–187 vs. 190–193), fewer subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 76–84), dorsal scales not enlarged (vs. one vertebral scale row enlarged), and dorsal scale smooth at midbody (vs. 5–7 keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. monticola with more infralabial scales (9 vs. 7–8) and a smooth dorsal scale at midbody (vs. 1–3 keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. nigriceps by having more infralabial scales (9 vs. 7), lacking preoculars (vs. one preocular), having two anterior temporals (vs. one anterior temporal), two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. only one and suboculars fused with postoculars), dorsal scales that are not enlarged (vs. one enlarged vertebral scale row), and a smooth dorsal scale at midbody (vs. 9 keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. stanleyi by having more infralabial scales (9 vs. 7–8), postoculars fused with suboculars (vs. distinct and separated postocular and subocular), more ventral scales (184–187 vs. 151–160), more subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 48–64), and a smooth dorsal scale at midbody (13 keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. victorianus by having more infralabial scales (9 vs. 6–7), two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. only one and subocular fused with postocular), more ventral scales (184–187 vs. 164), more subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 58), dorsal scales not enlarged (vs. one enlarged vertebral scale row), and a smooth dorsal scale at midbody (vs. eight keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. vindumi by having more supralabials (7–8 vs. 6), more infralabials (9 vs. 6), two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. only one and subocular fused with postocular), more ventral scales (184–187 vs. 178), and more subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 61).</p><p>Pareas dabieshanensis sp. nov. differs from P. yunnanensis by having more infralabials (9 vs. 6), lacking preoculars (vs. 1–2 preoculars), having two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale (vs. only one and subocular fused with postocular), more ventral scales (184–187 vs. 169–175), more subcaudal scales (68–74 vs. 59–65), dorsal scales not enlarged (vs. one enlarged vertebral scale row), and a smooth dorsal scale at the midbody (vs. 5–7 keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody).</p><p>Remarks.</p><p>In 1974, the Sichuan Institute of Biology first discovered Pareas chinensis in the Dabie Mountains of Anhui Province. The amphibian and reptile fauna of Anhui suggest that this species is also present in Qianshan and Huoshan County (Chen 1991). Additionally, Chen et al. (2006) identified P. boulengeri for the first time in the Jingangtai National Nature Reserve, in the Dabie Mountains of Henan Province. Pan et al. (2014) further confirmed the presence of this species in the Dabie Mountains of Anhui and reclassified P. chinensis as P. boulengeri . This species has been detected in multiple localities within the Dabie Mountains (Pan et al. 2014; this study). Furthermore, P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. is likely found in eastern Hubei, which is geographically connected to western Anhui; however, further confirmation is required through additional voucher specimens.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/634A79F4190958439A7A6FA003497AF5	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Zhang, Cai-wen;Xu, Shi-hang;Luo, Tao;Liu, Chong;Yu, Lei;Zhou, Jiang;Pan, Tao;Zhang, Bao-wei	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.text	8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Pareas orientalis Zhang, Pan & Zhang 2025	<div><p>Pareas orientalis Zhang, Pan &amp; Zhang sp. nov.</p><p>Pareas boulengeri (Chen 1991; Zhao et al. 1998). Chresonymy.</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>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).</p><p>Type materials.</p><p>Holotype: • An adult male (Fig. 7, AHU 2024051501) from the <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=117.9743&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=29.5992" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 117.9743/lat 29.5992)">Fengteng Village</a> (29.5992°N, 117.9743°E; elevation 249 m a. s. l.), Xiuning County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China, was collected by Lei Yu and Muyao Zhang on 15 May 2024.</p><p>Paratypes: Eight specimens (3 females and 5 males) were collected from Huangshan City and its surrounding areas . • One adult male specimen (AHU 2024051502) was collected on the same day and at the same location as the holotype . Additionally, • two females (AHU 2015062201, AHU 2015082001) and three males (AHU 2020061201, AHU 2024072201, AHU 2024072202) were collected in Huangshan City . Furthermore, • one adult female specimen (AHU 2019071201) was obtained from Jing County, Huangshan City, • one adult male (AHU 2021101501) was collected from Chunan County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province .</p><p>Diagnosis.</p><p>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.</p><p>Holotype description.</p><p>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).</p><p>Coloration in life.</p><p>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 on the lateral aspect of the head, posterior to the eye and extending toward the corner of the mouth. The dorsal surface is distinguished by a yellowish-brown coloration featuring 52 irregular and discontinuous black horizontal stripes. In contrast, the ventral side displays a grayish-white coloration, embellished with scattered fine black spots.</p><p>Coloration in preservative.</p><p>In its preserved state, the specimen’s coloration resembles that of its living condition. The yellowish – red dorsal surfaces of the head and body fade to a pinkish – brown hue, indicating a significant loss of vibrant pigmentation. Notably, the black stripes along the sides of the body and tail remain distinct, maintaining their contrast despite fading in other regions. The pinkish-yellow coloration of the belly and the ventral surfaces of the head and tail diminishes to a pinkish-white, suggesting further pigment degradation. Additionally, the iris transforms to a grayish-black, while the pupil becomes white, reflecting further changes in pigmentation attributable to the preservation process.</p><p>Variation.</p><p>The nine specimens exhibited nearly identical morphological characteristics. The fundamental statistics for the morphological measurements are presented in Suppl. material 1: tables S 2, S 3. The quantity of posterior temporals ranged from two to three. The number of vertical black stripes on each side of the body ranged from 45 to 58, while the iris color in the paratypes varied from reddish-yellow to yellow.</p><p>Distribution and habitat.</p><p>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.</p><p>Comparison.</p><p>Comparisons between the new species and its congeners are summarized in Table 3. Pareas orientalis sp. nov. and P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. were previously classified as P. boulengeri . However, P. orientalis sp. nov. exhibits distinct morphological characteristics. Pareas orientalis sp. nov. can be differentiated from P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. (Figs 5, 6) by the presence of one preocular scale (vs. no preocular scale), one subocular fused with the postocular (vs. two subocular scales, one of which is fused with the postocular scale), and three rows of middorsal scales keeled at the midline (vs. smooth at midbody), fewer teeth number in maxilla bone (MX 5–7 vs. 5), and more teeth number in pterygoid bone (PT 12–14 vs. 9–11). The distinction between P. orientalis sp. nov. and true P. boulengeri is characterized by one preocular scale (vs. no such scale), more subcaudals (69–75 vs. 57–66), and fewer teeth number in maxilla bone (MX 5–7 vs. 4–5).</p><p>Note: Sources are denoted as follows: 1 = This study; 2 = Poyarkov et al. (2022); 3 = Vogel et al. (2020); 4 = You et al. (2015); 5 = Gong et al. (2023); 6 = Jiang (2004); 7 = Vogel (2015); 8 = Ding et al. (2020); 9 = Liu et al. (2024); 10 = Ota et al. (1997); 11 = Oskyrko et al. (2024); 12 = Bhosale et al. (2020); 13 = Wang et al. (2020); 14 = Guo and Zhao (2004); 15 = Le et al. (2021); 16 = Liu et al. (2023 a); 17 = Vogel et al. (2020); 18 = Liu and Rao (2021).</p><p>Given that P. orientalis sp. nov. and P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. exhibit morphological similarities, with most morphological features relatively comparable and their body colors largely indistinguishable, the primary differences lie in the presence or absence of preocular scales, the number of subocular scales, and the presence of keeled mid-dorsal scales at the midline of the body. As P. dabieshanensis sp. nov. was extensively compared with other species in the preceding section of the article, redundant elements have been excluded here.</p><p>Pareas orientalis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. andersonii, P. macularius, P. margaritophorus, and P. modestus by a yellow – brown dorsum (yellow – brown vs. grayish). P. orientalis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. abros, P. atayal, P. baiseensis, P. berdmorei, P. carinatus, P. formosensis, P. geminatus, P. guanyinshanensis, P. hamptoni, P. kaduri, P. komaii, P. kuznetsovorum, P. niger, P. nuchalis, P. temporalis, P. tigerinus, and P. xuelinensis by the presence of a loreal scale in contact with the eye (vs. the loreal scale not contacting the eye).</p><p>Pareas orientalis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. chinensis, P. iwasakii, P. monticola, and P. stanleyi by suboculars fused with postoculars (vs. separated).</p><p>Pareas orientalis sp. nov. can be distinguished from Pareas dulongjiangensis, P. victorianus, and P. vindumi by the presence of one preocular scale (vs. no preocular scale).</p><p>Pareas orientalis sp. nov. differs from P. nigriceps and P. yunnanensis by having more infralabial scales (9 vs. 6–8).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/8AE563B84A59547580F1BB7D34951927	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Zhang, Cai-wen;Xu, Shi-hang;Luo, Tao;Liu, Chong;Yu, Lei;Zhou, Jiang;Pan, Tao;Zhang, Bao-wei	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
