2. pinodon rosozonatum Hu et Djao, sp. nov. (Fig. 2) 



(New Chinese Name: Fen Lian She, Pink Chain-Snake. Lian She (Chain-Snake) 

 is common name for Pinodon sp.) 



TYPES: Holotype, an adult male (SBRI No. 64III6089; June 21, 1964; Dali 

 of Diaulo Shan, Hainan, altitude 200 m ); allotype, an adult female (SBRI No. 

 64III5246; May 11, 1964; Wuzhi Shan, Hainan altitude 540 m); paratypes 3 males 

 and 5 females (1964-1972, Diaulo Shan, Wuzhi Shan and Haidou, altitude 80-580 m). 



DIAGNOSIS: This new species differs from all of the known species of the 

 genus Dinodon by having the composite characters: 1) dorsal scales in 19-19- 

 15(17) rows, the vertebral row distinctly more enlarged than the adjacent scale 

 rows; 2) more ventral s (221-234); 3) blackish brown above, crossed by 28-35 

 + 9-13 narrow pink bands. 



DESCRIPTION: Based upon four male and six female specimens of type series. 

 Each maxilla has 12 to 13 teeth which are divided into three groups by diastemas 

 with the dental formula of 6(7) + 3 + 3, the first group teeth gradually enlarge, 

 the middle group smaller and the last group the largest. Loreal single, yery 

 small, entering the eye in one specimen; single preocular, which is absent on 

 the left side in one specimen; two postoculars; two anterior temporals, excep- 

 tionally united into one piece; three posterior temporals, exceptionally two; 

 eight upper labials with 2*^3-3 formula, sometimes 3-2-2 on one side. Dorsal 

 scales in 19-19-15(17) rows, with weak keels on three to nine middle rows. 

 Length of the male specimen 850 + 210 mm (holotype) and that of the female 

 802 + 174 mm (allotype). 



When alive, back is blackish brown with 28-35 + 9-13 pink cross bands on 

 body and tail; each cross band width is equal to one to two dorsal scales, and 

 each cross band bifurcates at D5 or D6 and reaches ventral s, but those on 

 posterior part of the tail do not show clear bifurcation, on those cross bands 

 are more or less scattered blackish brown flecks; on the neck is "Ai' -shaped 

 pink marking whose anterior end reaches the parietals and posterior ends reach 

 the rictuses; upper labials pinkish brown and the seam between them black; 

 series of intermittent narrow black stripes from the parietal seam and the 

 temporals to the upper labial edge. Underside of the head whitish with a few 

 blackish brown spots; the first quarter of the underside of the body grayish 

 white, the remaining part with blackish brown blotches, underside of the tail 

 predominantly blackish brown. 



HABIT: Found in the hills and on the plain along streams and around rice 

 paddies at altitudes of less than 850 m. Usually comes out at dusk or at night. 

 The allotype was captured at 1020 hours in the hole of a large tree trunk about 

 1.5 m above ground. Her head was seen a few centimeters out of the hole, and 

 she was captured when baited out by a live frog. This snake was observed to 

 eat a green pit-viper (Zu Ye Qing = Trimeresurus stejnegeri ) which was kept in 

 the same cage in September, 1972. 



NOTE: The Wildlife Retail Department of Haikou City has been supplying 

 this snake for food. The snake is called "Huo Jia She" (meaning fire-armored 

 snake) and considered to be a close relative to the banded krait ( Bungarus 

 fasciatus ). But it does not have any venom. 



3. Achalinus hainanus Huang, sp. nov. (Fig. 3a, b, c) 



(New Chinese Name: Hainan Ji She; Vertebral or Back Snake of Hainan. 

 Ji She (back snake) is common name for Achalinus sp.) 



TYPES: Holotype, an adult female (IZAS No. 1076; January 20, 1964; Chien 

 Fung Ling, Hainan, altitude 800 m); paratype, an adult female (IZAS No. 1016; 

 January 16, 1964; from the same locality as the holotype). 



