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Snakes of the natricid genus Trachischium Günther, 1858 are distributed in the southern Himalayas. Due to their secretive nature and fossorial habits, their taxonomy, evolution, and ecology remain poorly understood. Based on a multilocus molecular phylogeny and morphological comparisons we explored Trachischium systematics. Results indicated that all representatives of Trachischium form a strongly supported clade with their close relatives in Blythia, and that Blythia is nested within Trachischium. Therefore, we suggest that Blythia is synonymous with Trachischium. Molecular data and morphological comparisons revealed cryptic diversity within Trachischium, and thus we describe one new species from China while also excluding T. guentheri and T. tenuiceps from the Chinese fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achalinus yangdatongiHou, Wang, Guo, Chen, Yuan & Che, 2021 was described based on single specimen. After morphological examination of recently collected specimens from the type locality and close region, several specimens (3 females and 1 male) were identified as this species. Genetic distances (p-distance) calculated from a fragment of the mtDNA gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) were less than 1.8% between the newly collected specimens and the type specimen. Achalinus yangdatongi is redescribed and several of its diagnostics are revised accordingly: dorsal body scales 23 rows throughout; ventrals 155–171; subcaudals 59–76, unpaired; maxillary teeth 24–26. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]