DIAGNOSIS: This new species is similar to Achalinus rufescens Boulenger, 

 but differs from the latter in having only one anterior temporal, in the upper 

 tertiary temporals directly contacting each other mesial ly without an inter- 

 occipital, and in having more ventral s (165-168). 



DESCRIPTION: Table 2 summarizes measurements and scale counts of the two 

 type specimens. The seam between the internasals as long as that between the 

 prefrontals; parietals long, which anterolateral ly enter between the supraocular 

 and the temporals, and may or may not reach the upper-posterior edge of the eye; 

 the eye small, the pupil almost circular; the temporals in three rows, 1+2 

 +3, but four posterior temporals on the right side of the holotype. The upper- 

 most posterior temporals in great contact with the parietals, and are not 

 separated by the interoccipital; upper labials gradually enlarge from front 

 to back and the sixth the longest, longer than five anterior scutes combined; 

 five lower labials with three anterior pairs in contact with the anterior chin 

 shield, two pairs of chin shields of the same size, almost rectangular in shape; 

 dorsal scales evenly keeled except smooth Dl scales; the anal single. 



In preservative, snout tip and dorsal aspect of the head indigo gray, 

 temporal region, the edges of the upper and lower labials brownish gray; dorsal 

 aspects of body and tail lighter than that of the head; belly grayish white, 

 with the base of each ventral scale darker; entire body has metallic luster. 



DISCUSSION: Smith (1923) described Achalinus meridianus based on Hainan 

 specimen. This was the first record of an AchaliTTus from the island. Major 

 characteristics of the species are 2+ 2 temporals, suture between the prefrontals 

 are twice as long as that of the internasals, 147 ventral s and 77 subcaudals. 

 Pope (1935) and Bourret (1936) synonymized Hainan Achalinus with A. rufescens . 

 This new species is distinct from all the known specimens of AchaTinus from 

 Hainan in the number of the anterior temporals and in the absence of inter- 

 occipitals. These two characters of the present species distinguish it from 

 all other species of the genus. They have two anterior temporals and inter- 

 occipital s on the posterior end of the parietals. 



4. Cuora hainanensis (Li), new taxonomic position. 



Li described Cycleinys flavomarginata hainanensis (Chinese Journal of Zoology, 

 2(4):234, 1958) which is now considered as a full species and a mender of the 

 genus Cuora . Description of the types is as follows: 



TYPES: Holotype, an adult male (FU No. 200; Dali of Diaulo Shan, Hainan, 

 altitude 200 m); allotype, an adult female (SBRI No. 64III6110; June, 1964; 

 Nanxi of Diaulo Shan, Hainan, altitude 82 m): para types 3 males and 4 females 

 (1963-1964, Diaulo Shan and Chien Fung Ling, Hainan). 



DIAGNOSIS: This new species is similar to Cuora flavomarginata (Gray), 

 but differs from the latter by: 1) snout more pointed, its tip projecting 

 beyond the upper jaw; 2) the margin of the upper jaw straight, without hook; 

 3) hinder part of the head covered with small scales; 4) anterior three vertebral 

 (= central) shields projecting medially in front and with a medial notch behind; 

 5) anal shield single, without any rudiment of median suture; and 6) a different 

 color pattern. 



DESCRIPTION: Size of the nine type specimens are listed in Table 3. 

 Carapace relatively high, vertebral ridge on the midline; no distinct emargination 

 in front and back, slight outward curvature of the carapacial edge in front and 

 back, no serration of margin. Nuchal very small; vertebral s as broad and long, 

 each narrower than its adjacent pleurals, anterior three vertebral s projecting 



