Search

Abstract The Laudakia wui, also known as Wui’s rock agama, is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Xizang, China, and is distributed within the Yarlung Zangbo River basin in the Nyingchi city. In order to better understand its ecology, population dynamics, and conservation requirements, we have generated a high-quality chromosome-scale genome with genome size of 1.78 Gb (scaffold N50 = 195.02 Mb), and a BUSCO score of 93.2%. We also identified 20,805 protein-coding genes with gene annotation complete BUSCO were 95.7%, of which 96.23% were functionally annotated. In summary, this genomic information of L. wui is crucial for uncovering its unique evolutionary adaptations and understanding its role in the ecosystem, and is essential for developing targeted conservation strategies and managing biodiversity in this ecologically sensitive region.

Achalinu ningshanensis (Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink, and Huang, 2022) was first described in Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China in 2022, based on seven female specimens. In this study, based on phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), cytochrome b (cyt b) gene fragments, and morphological examinations of specimens, we revise the taxonomic status of A. ningshanensis, and provide additional data on this species. The molecular phylogeny indicated that A. ningshanensis is nested in a highly supported monophyletic group, forming a sister taxon to A. spinalis, and is divided into two well-supported lineages, A and B, with an uncorrected p-distance between lineages from 3.6 to 4.3% for CO1. Therefore, we proposed that Lineage B from western Sichuan and southwestern Shaanxi is a new subspecies, Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov., and Lineage A from southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan is allocated as Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. Morphologically, the new subspecies can be distinguished from its congeners, especially from Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis, by the following characteristics: (1) the tail is relatively short, with a TAL/TL ratio of 0.202–0.226 in males, and 0.155–0.178 in females; (2) there are two pairs of chin-shields; (3) there are 21–22 maxillary teeth; (4) the length of the suture between internasals is significantly shorter than that between prefrontals, with an LSBI/LSBP ratio of 0.502–0.773; (5) there are six supralabials, with the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (6) there are five to six infralabials, and the first to third or fourth touches the first pair of chin-shields; (7) there is one hexagonal loreal, with an LorH/LorL ratio of 0.612–1.040; (8) the two anterior temporals are in contact with the eye; (9) there are 155–160 ventrals in males, and 165–174 in females; (10) there are 60–65 subcaudals in males, and 49–53 in females, which are not paired; and (11) the dorsum is iridescent and uniformly charcoal black, lacks a longitudinal vertebral line, and has a dark brown or dark gray ventral area.

The king ratsnake (Elaphe carinata) of the genus Elaphe is a common large, non-venomous snake widely distributed in Southeast and East Asia. It is an economically important farmed species. As a non-venomous snake, the king ratsnake predates venomous snakes, such as cobras and pit vipers. However, the immune and digestive mechanisms of the king ratsnake remain unclear. Despite their economic and research importance, we lack genomic resources that would benefit toxicology, phylogeography, and immunogenetics studies. Here, we used single-tube long fragment read sequencing to generate the first contiguous genome of a king ratsnake from Huangshan City, Anhui province, China. The genome size is 1.56 GB with a scaffold N50 of 6.53M. The total length of the genome is approximately 621 Mb, while the repeat content is 42.26%. Additionally, we predicted 22,339 protein-coding genes, including 22,065 with functional annotations. Our genome is a potentially useful addition to those available for snakes.

Snakes are a vital component of wildlife resources and are widely distributed across the globe. The many-banded krait Bungarus multicinctus is a highly venomous snake found across Southern Asia and central and southern China. Snakes are an ancient reptile group, and their genomes can provide important clues for understanding the evolutionary history of reptiles. Additionally, genomic resources play a crucial role in comprehending the evolution of all species. However, snake genomic resources are still scarce. Here, we present a highly contiguous genome of B. multicinctus with a size of 1.51 Gb. The genome contains a repeat content of 40.15%, with a total length exceeding 620 Mb. Additionally, we annotated a total of 24,869 functional genes. This research is of great significance for comprehending the evolution of B. multicinctus and provides genomic information on the genes involved in venom gland functions.

We described a new species of genus Pareas from Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Pareas baiseensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of (1) Yellowish-brown body colouration; (2) Frontal subhexagonal to diamond-shaped with its lateral sides converging posteriorly; (3) The anterior pair of chin shields is longer than it is broad; (4) Loreal not in contact with the eye, prefrontal in contact with the eye, two or three suboculars; (5) Rows of 15–15–15 dorsal scales, five rows of mid-dorsal scales keeled at the middle of the body, one vertebral scale row enlarged; (6) 187–191 ventrals, 89–97 subcaudals, all divided, cloacal plate single; (7) Two postocular stripes, the nuchal area forming a dark black four-pointed fork collar with the middle tines shorter than the outside tines. The genetic divergence (uncorrected p-distance) between the new species and other representatives of Pareas ranged from 13.9% to 24.4% for Cytochrome b (Cyt b) and 12.1% to 25.5% for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4). Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA gene data recovered the new species from being the sister taxon to (P. boulengeri + P. chinensis) from China.

The Boulenger's Slug-eating snake Pareas boulengeri is a species of snake in the family Pareidae. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence (mitogenome) of this species was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16,778 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two ribosome RNA genes, and two control regions (CR). Its base composition was 31.6% for A, 24.6% for T, 14.5% for G and 29.3% for C. All the protein-coding genes in P. boulengeri were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of P. boulengeri and 13 other related species was reconstructed using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships of P. boulengeri.

Common burrowing snake Achalinus spinalis is the type species of Achalinus. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of A. spinalis was determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitogenome is 17,165 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (CR). All the protein-coding genes in A. spinalis were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of A. spinalis and 12 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of A. spinalis.