Biodiv Sci ›› 2015, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (3): 365-382.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2015037

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A revised taxonomy for Chinese reptiles

Bo Cai, Yuezhao Wang*, Yueying Chen, Jiatang Li   

  1. Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041
  • Received:2015-02-12 Accepted:2015-05-05 Online:2015-06-08 Published:2015-06-12
  • Contact: Wang Yuezhao

Abstract:

Based on taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, we presented a comprehensive reassessment of the classification systems, updated corresponding Chinese scientific names and concluded the Checklist of Chinese Reptilia. Our analysis suggested that in China there are a total of 3 orders, 30 families, 132 genera, and 462 reptile species. The order Crocodylia includes one family, one genus, and one species. The order, Testudines includes 6 families, 18 genera, and 33 species. The order Squamata includes the suborder Lacertilia and Serpentes. Lacertilia includes 10 families, 41 genera, and 189 species and Serpentes includes 13 families, 72 genera, and 239 species. Compared to Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 1): General Accounts of Reptilia,Testudoformes and Crocodiliformes, Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 2): Squamata (Lacertilia) and Snakes of China, we added 81 species, revised 2 species and excluded 12 synonymous, 6 hybrid, and 7 undistributed reptile species. At the genus level, there are 23 additional, 6 revised, 15 synonymous genera. At the family level, there are 5 additional and 2 revised families. There is no change at the order or suborder levels. Studies of morphology and molecular phylogeny on taxonomic categories of reptiles reflects several divergences. We discusssed these controversies and explained choices of the Checklist of Chinese Reptilia in this article.

Key words: Reptilia, checklist, China, biodiversity