Ptyas multicincta (Roux, 1907)

Nguyen, Tan Van, Brakels, Peter, Maury, Nathanael, Sudavanh, Somchit, Pawangkhanant, Parinya, Idiiatullina, Sabira, Lorphengsy, Sengvilay, Inkhavilay, Khamla, Suwannapoom, Chatmongkon & Poyarkov, Nikolay A., 2020, New herpetofaunal observations from Laos based on photo records, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 248) 14 (2), pp. 218-249 : 236

Ptyas multicincta (Roux, 1907)

Many-banded Green Snake ( Fig. 8E–F )

One adult individual of the banded morph of P. multicincta was observed by P. Brakels and N. Maury on 6 January 2019 in Vang Vieng District , Vientiane Province, Laos (18°97.408’N, 102°41.690’E; elevation 370 m asl); and one adult male (the bicolor morph) was observed by P. Brakels, P. Pawangkhanant, T. V. Nguyen, S. Idiiatullina, and N.A. Poyarkov on 13 July 2019 in Ngommalath District , Khammouan Province (17°31.084’N, 105°13.746’E; elevation 200 m asl) .

Morphological characters of the individuals from Vientiane and Khammouan provinces agreed well with the descriptions of Angel (1929), Smith (1943), and Hauser (2018). The photographed individuals ( Fig. 8E–F ) agree with the diagnosis of P. multicincta in the following characters: body cylindrical, body medium-sized; head distinct from neck; eye large, pupil round; loreal present, not in contact with orbit; 1 preocular; 2 postoculars; 1 anterior temporal; 2 posterior temporals; 7 or 8 supralabials, 1 st and 2 nd in contact with the nasal, 2 nd and 3 rd in contact with the loreal, 4 th –5 th entering orbit, 6 th and 7 th largest; dorsal scale rows entirely smooth; ventrals 174–185; cloacal scale divided; subcaudals 83– 87, divided. Coloration of dorsal surface uniform green anteriorly, turning uniform gray posteriorly ( Fig. 8E ; bicolor morph); or green anteriorly, becoming light gray and grayish-brown posteriorly with numerous regularly spaced, narrow, back-edged cream or yellow crossbars ( Fig. 8F ; multicincta banded morph); ventral surfaces yellowish-green anteriorly, pale gray posteriorly.

Ecological notes. The specimen in Vientiane Province was recorded at 1930 h on the tree, ca. 2 m above the ground along a rocky stream within close proximity of a waterfall; surrounding habitat was mixed secondary forest composed of small to medium hardwoods and shrubs. The subadult male in Khammouan Province was found at ca. 1900 h while it was moving on a limestone boulder near the ground; surrounding habitat was secondary evergreen forest on karst.

Distribution. In Laos, this species has been previously recorded from Xiangkhouang, Khammouan, and Bolikhamxai provinces ( Angel 1929; Deuve 1970; Teynié et al. 2014). This is the first record of P. multicincta from Vientiane Province. Moreover, P. multicincta was also observed in Xiengngeun and Nane districts, Louangphabang Province (Teynié, pers. comm.). Elsewhere, this species has been reported from China, Vietnam, and Thailand ( Uetz et al. 2020).

Remarks: Ptyas multicincta is morphologically similar to Ptyas major (Günther) but differs from the latter by olive-green dorsum turning grayish-brown posteriorly (vs. uniformly bright or grass green); dorsal scale rows entirely smooth (vs. 3–7 dorsal scale rows keeled); internasal distinctly narrowed anteriorly (vs. truncate anteriorly) [ Angel 1929; Smith 1943; data above]. Two color morphs are known in this species: dorsum may be crossed by numerous narrow bichromatic bands (typical multicincta banded morph, see Fig. 8F ) or lack such bands (bicolor morph, see Fig. 8E ) [ Angel 1929; P. David, pers. comm.].

Figures

Fig. 8. (A) Hebius chapaensis in Longcheng District, Xaisomboun Province; (B) H. leucomystax in Paksong District, Champasak Province; (C) Lycodon fasciatus in Longcheng District, Xaisomboun Province; (D) L. futsingensis in Xay district, Oudomxai Province; (E) Ptyas multicincta (var. bicolor) in Gnommalath District, Khammouan Province; (F) P. multicincta (var. multicincta) in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province. Photos by P. Brakels (A, C, D), N. Maury (B, F), and P. Pawangkhanant (E).