Molecular phylogenetic analyses of lesser known colubrid snakes reveal a new species of Herpetoreas (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae), and new insights into the systematics of Gongylosoma scriptum and its allies from northeastern India

A new species of the genus Herpetoreas is described from Murlen National Park, Mizoram, northeastern India, based on morphological differences and molecular evidence inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 16S rRNA genes. The new taxon represents the seventh nominal species in the genus Herpetoreas, out of which three species, i.e., H. pealii, H. platyceps and H. xenura, have been recorded from northeastern India as well. An updated taxonomic key to the species of Herpetoreas is provided. Our phylogenetic reconstructions of selected natricine and colubrine snakes from Mizoram state, northeastern India, also contribute to the systematics and known distribution of the little known species Gongylosoma scriptum, and corroborate its taxonomic placement into the subfamily Colubrinae. Moreover, the first molecular based identifications for Liopeltis stoliczkae and Sibynophis collaris from Mizoram are presented