Nanlingophis nvwa CHEN, ZHANG, LIU, LIU, KWOK, VOGEL, WANG, WU & CHEN, 2026
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Nanlingophis nvwa?
Nanlingophis nvwa
We have no photos, try to find some by Google images search: 
| Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Dipsadinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Nvwa slender snake. Chinese:女娲纤蛇 (nǚ wā xiān shé) |
| Synonym | Nanlingophis nvwa CHEN, ZHANG, LIU, LIU, KWOK, VOGEL, WANG, WU & CHEN 2026: 219 |
| Distribution | China (N Guangdong: Tianjingshan National Forest Park, S Hunan: Mangshan National Nature Reserve) Type locality: Shaoguan city, northern Guangdong province, China (113.06137526°E, 24.72482887°N), 599 m in elevation |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: GXNU2025101605, adult male (Fig. 3). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus). Nanlingophis is assigned to Dipsadidae based on its phylogenetic placement, currently monotypic and is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: body slender; tail long, TaL/TL 0.314; dorsal scales smooth, rhomboid and juxtaposed, in 13 rows throughout the body; ventrals 163; anal shield divided; subcaudals paired, 110+1 pairs; supralabials 5/5, with the 3rd and 4th entering the orbit; infralabials 5/5; suboculars absent; loreal single and crescent-shaped; temporals 1+1+2; rostral not dorsally recurved; anterior nasal plates not expanded; dorsum yellowish brown, each scale edged dark brown to blackish and forming a reticulate pattern. This combination of characters distinguishes the new genus from all superficially similar genera, especially Stichophanes, Thermophis, Dipsas, Pareas and Aplopeltura. Comparisons: The new genus Nanlingophis shows a superficial resemblance to its sister genus Stichophanes in having a slender body, smooth dorsal scales arranged in 13 rows at midbody, a divided anal shield, paired subcaudals, absence of suboculars, and the 3rd and 4th supralabials entering the orbit. Ventral scale counts are also comparable, with 163 ventrals in Nanlingophis versus 159–170 in S. ningshaanensis. However, the new genus differs from Stichophanes in several key characters, including a relatively longer tail (TaL/TL 0.314 vs. 0.21–0.27), more numerous subcaudals (110 + 1 pairs vs. 64–73), 5/5 supralabials versus six in S. ningshaanensis, presence of a single crescent-shaped loreal versus absent, temporals 1+1+2 versus 1+2 (occasionally 1+1), and a yellowish-brown dorsal reticulate pattern instead of longitudinal stripes. Nanlingophis also differs markedly from Thermophis, which typically has 19-19-17 dorsal scale rows, strongly keeled dorsal scales (except the outermost row), higher ventral counts, more numerous supralabials and infralabials, a dorsally recurved rostral, and expanded anterior nasal plates. For example, T. zhaoermii has 225 + 1 ventrals, 98 subcaudal pairs, eight supralabials (4th and 5th bordering the orbit), and ten infralabials. The new genus superficially resembles the pareid genus Aplopeltura in having a slender body, relatively long tail, small blunt head, enlarged eyes, 13 dorsal scale rows, and cryptic brownish dorsal coloration; however, it can be readily distinguished from A. boa by several diagnostic characters. Nanlingophis has paired subcaudals, a divided anal shield, suboculars absent, 5/5 supralabials with the 3rd and 4th entering the orbit, 5/5 infralabials, a single crescent-shaped loreal, and temporals 1+1+2, whereas A. boa has undivided subcaudals, an entire anal shield, a subocular row separating supralabials from the orbit, 8–10 supralabials, 11 infralabials, 2–3 loreals, and three anterior temporals. Similarly, the new genus can be distinguished from Pareas by the absence of suboculars, 13 smooth dorsal scale rows, 5/5 supralabials and infralabials, a single crescent-shaped loreal, low ventral count, numerous paired subcaudals, and a reticulate dorsal pattern. It differs from Dipsas by the combination of 13 smooth dorsal scale rows, 5/5 supralabials (3rd and 4th entering the orbit), 5/5 infralabials, 163 ventrals, 110 + 1 paired subcaudals, temporals 1+1+2, and a yellowish-brown reticulate dorsum. Unfortunately we had to temporarily remove additional information as this was scraped by multiple AI companies who sell that data. However, these details, e.g. detailed descriptions (about about 2.39 pages) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us if you need any of this material. |
| Comment | Type species: Nanlingophis nvwa is the type species of the genus Nanlingophis CHEN, ZHANG & CHEN in CHEN et al. 2026. |
| Etymology | Named after “Nüwa”, a significant deity in Chinese mythology traditionally revered as the creator and protector of life. This is nomenclature was selected to honor the cultural heritage of the Yao people residing in the autonomous county where the type specimen was discovered, as some members of this community trace their ancestry to Nüwa. The nearby Mangshan Yao communities traditionally venerate snakes, a symbol closely linked to Nüwa in folklore. The epithet is used as a nominative noun in apposition and remains indeclinable. The genus name Nanlingophis is a combination of the geographic name “Nanling” (referring to the type locality) and suffix “-ophis” (όφις) meaning snake in Greek. The name is treated as masculine in gender. |
| References |
|
| External links |