taxonID	type	description	language	source
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	description	(Fig. 1 – 5; Table 1)	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. BNHS 3597 (ex. CESS 255) an adult male collected by SP & MP in 2011; Paratype. BNHS 1863 collected by K. G. Adiyodi, from Pullompara, Ernakulam dt., Kerala, in June 1961. Type locality. Devar Malai (9.173 N, 77.261 E; 1020 m asl), Tirunelveli dt., Tamil Nadu, in Periyar Plateau of the Southern Western Ghats.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Patronym named in genitive singular case honoring Romulus Whitaker, for his pioneering and substantial efforts to study and conserve Indian reptiles, especially snakes. Suggested common name: Whitaker’s cat snake.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species of Boiga occurring in the Southern Western Ghats, having 19 midbody scale rows; ventrals 235 – 243; subcaudals 88 – 98; a creamy brown dorsum with orange transverse streaks; crown with faint markings; ventrolateral pattern composed of small brown dots; phylogenetically delineated as a species, sister to B. ceylonensis of Sri Lanka (node support 98 %), sufficiently divergent (5.1 % at cyt b, 0.9 % at 16 s, 4.2 % at ND 4) from and closely allied to the allopatric B. ceylonensis than to any other sampled Indian or Sri Lankan congeners. Comparisons. Boiga whitakeri sp. nov. can be distinguished from related and sympatric congeners as follows: 19 midbody dorsal scale rows (vs. 21 – 23 in B. nuchalis, B. dightoni); a dorsal color that is creamy yellow with orange streaks vs. (greyish brown body with dark brown bars in B. ceylonensis; yellowish-brown dorsal color with black patterns in B. thackerayi; green or greenish in B. flaviviridis; yellowish ground color with black bands in B. beddomei); subcaudals <100 (vs.> 110 in B. beddomei, B. flaviviridis); crown with faint brown markings (vs. crown markings absent or obscure in B. beddomei; crown with prominent black markings in B. ceylonensis, B. thackerayi); ventrolateral region with small brown dots (vs. unpatterned in B. flaviviridis; large alternating white and black blotches in B. thackerayi, B. barnesii); head, neck and body cream-colored with orange streaks throughout (vs. head and neck yellowish-brown, interscalar skin yellowish-brown with distinct black crossbars and markings in B. thackerayi, body pale brownish, with blackish-brown crossbars and pattern in B. ceylonensis).	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	description	Description of the holotype. Holotype coiled, hemipenis everted, ventral region of the mid body incised for tissue. A medium-sized snake measuring 645 mm total length, snout-vent length: 500 mm, tail length: 145 mm, relative tail size 22.4 %; vertical eye diameter: 3.3 mm, horizontal eye diameter: 3.7 mm; head length: 16.4 mm; eye to nostril distance: 2.6 mm; eye to lip distance: 1 mm; body with slender habitus, thin neck 3.88 mm at nape, wide head 8.44 mm at the angle of the jaw; head relatively longer with HL 19.54 mm, HW / HL ratio 41.9 %; tail long (22.4 %); dorsal scale rows 19: 19: 17; rostral visible from above; preocular 1, subequal to loreal; postoculars 2 on both sides; loreal 1 on both sides; supralabials 8 / 8, with 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th supralabials touching eye on both sides, 6 th supralabial being the largest; infralabials 11 / 12, 1 – 3 touching the first genials and 4 – 6 touching the second genials; temporals 10 on both sides; prefrontal in contact with the preocular; a pair of prefrontals that are in contact with the nasals, prefrontal length 2.2 mm; sub-triangular frontal of length 4.3 mm; nasal divided, posterior part of the nasal in contact with the prefrontal and the first and second supralabial and the loreal, preventrals 2; ventrals 235, angulate laterally; anal scale entire; subcaudals 98 pairs. Dorsal color cream to light brown (in life), rather uniform throughout the dorsum; except in parts of labials and coastal scales that were whitish; dorsum with 122 (83 on body, 39 on tail) orange cross bars; cross bars covering 2 – 4 scales in size, extending on either side up to 3 – 4 scale rows across; interspaces often with sparse streaks; a distinct dark brown postocular stripe up to the jaw angle; labials, chin and venter light cream to dirty white. The specimen in preservative faded into a light grey dorsally with slightly darker markings and cross bars on the body. The dark nuchal and head markings faded; dirty white gular region and ventrum light yellow finely dotted with brown spots; head with dark markings and a dark brown distinct temporal streak extending from behind the oculars till the angle of the jaw. Holotype somewhat impacted by suboptimal preservation. Variation shown by the paratype. Agreeing well with the holotype and showing the following intraspecific variations: snout to vent length: up to 677 mm, with tail length up to 154 mm; head length: 22 mm; head width: 14 mm; eye diameter: 4.7 mm; inter-orbital distance: 11.4 mm; anterior scale rows: 18; posterior scale rows: 15; ventrals 243; subcaudals 88; preventrals 3; supralabials 9 (4 – 6 touch eye); infralabials 12 – 13 (1 – 6 touch genials); dorsum with much bolder series of cross bars; a distinct horizontal cross bar on occiput; venter with small brown spots. Paratype in good condition retaining the colour pattern and habitus, without any preservation artifact.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC651946CFF39D3BEFA88F98B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and Natural History. The type specimen was collected in Devar Malai range or Vairavankulam Reserve Forests / Suttivezhi Vayal (Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu State) in the far south of Periyar plateau in the Southern Western Ghats. Devar Malai is perhaps the most inaccessible, little-known and under-surveyed hill range in the Western Ghats, owing to its remoteness, lack of roads and rugged terrain. Situated just south of Sivagiri hills and drained by the Karuppanadhi river, Devar Malai continues westwards as the Aruvappulam hills in Kerala and drops steeply eastwards to the plains at Puliyangudi. Historically, Devar Malai has been mentioned in literature as Ayen / Achen Koil hills or Chokkampatty Hills by Col. R. H. Beddome. The habitat at the type locality consists of evergreen rainforests (Bourdillon, 1908). Beddome (1877) described these areas as “ dense moist forest above the Ayen-Coil pass (Travancore), at about 2500 feet elevation ”. Very little is known about the natural history of the new species, except that it is nocturnal and arboreal, like other Boiga spp. The paratype is labeled as from “ Eranakulam, Pullompara ”. While Eranakulam is evidently the provincial name, “ Pullompara ” appears to be an anglicized word that probably refers to forests near Pulluvazhy Para (10.086 N, 76.511 E) abutting the Thattekad or Kothamangalam Forest (10.103 N, 76.701 E). Other interpretations viz. Pullampara (Trivandram) or Pulayampara (Palghat) or Pollompara (Kannur) are untenable and unassociated with the erstwhile Ernakulam Province. The collector of the paratype in 1963, “ K. G. Adiyodi ”, refers to Dr. Kenoth Govindan Adiyodi (1938 – 2001), a Zoology Professor who worked at various institutions in Kerala (Anilkumar et al. 2010). In June 2008, one of us (NSA) recorded a live Boiga having 19 midbody scale rows and lacking white ventrolateral blotches, from Courtallam (8.929 N, 77.237 E; 630 m asl), Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, just 30 ariline km south off the type locality. The snake was seen coiled and resting inside a tree hole during daytime, in hilly evergreen forest tracts. Thus, at the type locality and elsewhere within its known distribution range, the new species is sympatric with B. nuchalis and B. thackerayi judging by our previous excursions in Devar Malai and nearby ranges (NSA, SRG pers. obs.). Presumably nocturnal and arboreal.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	description	(Fig. 1 – 2, 6; Table 1) Suggested common name: Thackeray’s cat snake.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	description	Specimens examined. (n = 33). INDIA. Tamil Nadu: MNHN 1946.67 Kodikanel; BMNH 74.4. 29.66 Anamallais; CAS 13091 Puthuthotam, Anamallais; BMNH 1955.1. 3.45 High Wavy mountains 3000 - 5000 ft; BMNH 1955.1. 3.42 High Wavys; CAS 13092 Valparai, Anamalais; BNHS 1840 a Paralai, Valparai; CSPT / S- 39 Madurai dt.,; SACON / VR- 75 a one from Meghamalai, SACON / VR- 75 b one from Anamalai; CESS 254 collected by SP in 2011 from Valparai (10.394 N 76.992 E; 1287 m asl), Tiruppur dt.,; CESS 292 collected by SP in 2011 from Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (8.605 N 77.224 E; 1052 m asl), Tirunelveli dt.; Kerala: NMW 19937: 1 – 2 Malabar; FMNH 217702 Trivandrum district;. BNHS 1841 a Nelliampathy, Palghat District; BNHS 1844 a & b Nelliampathy, Palghat; FMNH 217701 Trivandrum District; USNM 42469 Cochin hills,; BNHS 1862 Bariami estate, Fairfeild, Travancore; CESS 011 collected by AKM in 2009 from Vellimala (9.532 N 77.371 E; 1380 m asl), Periyar Plateau, Idukki dt.,; CESS 093 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Sirivani (10.945 N 76.645 E; 1522 m asl), Palghat dt.,; CESS 139 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Silent Valley (11.111 N 76.429 E; 950 m asl), Palghat dt.,; CESS 140 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Silent Valley (11.177 N 76.414 E; 1140 m asl), Palghat dt.,; CESS 107 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Chemunji (8.678 N 77.192 E; 1330 m asl), Peppara, Kollam dt.,; Karnataka: CESS 534 collected by AKM in 2012 from Agumbe, Karnataka (13.576 N 75.106 E).	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	diagnosis	Complementary Diagnosis. Boiga thackerayi is phylogenetically sister to (node support 100 %) a clade containing B. cf. ranawanei and B. flaviviridis. From B. flaviviridis, it is 11.4 – 12.6 % divergent; and from B. cf. ranawanei of Sri Lanka, it is 10.5 – 11.1 % divergent at cyt b. The highest intraspecific divergence was 3.6 %, between two samples from Coorg and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Hills situated on the Central and Southern Western Ghats respectively.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	description	Description and variation. A medium-sized snake with a snout-vent length: 261 – 832 mm, tail length: 76 – 275 mm, relative tail size 21.8 – 23.5 %; with slender habitus, thin neck, wide head; long tail; anterior dorsal scale rows 17 – 20 (17, 18 and 20 anterior dorsal scale rows in one, two and one specimens respectively out of 31 specimens examined); midbody scale rows 19; posterior scale rows 13 – 15 (13 in 2 out of 20 cases, 14 in 1 out of 31 cases); rostral visible from above; preocular 1, subequal to loreal; postoculars 2; loreal 1; supralabials 8 / 9, with 3 rd – 5 th / 4 th – 6 th ones touching eye; infralabials 11 / 12, with 1 – 5 touching genials; temporals 10 – 14; preventral 1; ventrals 207 – 239, angulate laterally; anal scale 1; subcaudals 86 – 109 pairs. Dorsal color brownish-grey, patterned with blackish brown cross bars, 55 – 76 on body, 19 – 29 on tail; cross bars covering 2 – 4 scales in size, extending either sides up to 3 – 4 scale rows across; interspaces often with sparse dark dots; distinct circular markings on top of head, on frontal, parietals, temporal and occipital parts; a distinct postocular stripe up to the jaw angle; labials, chin and venter ashy brown, finely spotted with darker hue; venter bordered along both sides by a series of large adjacent white and black blotches, alternating at an interval of every 3 – 4 ventrals.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	distribution	Distribution and natural history: This species is endemic to the Western Ghats. It occurs in wet tropical evergreen forests. Its distribution covers most of the ranges including Agasthyamalai (Inger et al. 1984), Kottamalai, Meghamalai (Chandramouli & Ganesh 2010; Malhotra & Davis 1991), Anaimalai (Hutton & David 2009), Nilgiris, Wayanad (Wall 1919), Malnad, Coorg, Kudremukh, Castle Rock (Ganesh et al. 2013), on to its type locality Koyna (Giri et al. 2019). During fieldwork we recorded this species in almost all hill complexes of the Western Ghats. This species is nocturnal and live individuals were sighted in the field by us at night (19: 30 h to 24: 00 h). On one occasion, a resting adult female was sighted tucked underneath the peeling bark of a tree at 14: 00 h. It is an arboreal species, with live snakes sighted almost always on the branches and twigs of vegetation, with perching heights ranging from 0.5 m to up to over 3 m. This species has been sighted both in pristine forests (evergreen rainforests, montane forests) as well as secondary forests and even amidst tea gardens. Its distribution ranges in elevation from 500 – 1500 m asl. On its juveniles from Nilgiri-Waynad, Wall (1919) stated that young ones measuring 450 mm length were sighted during August-September.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65C946EFF39D1FEFE04F999.taxon	discussion	Comments. Originally described based on three specimens from a single locality in the Northern Western Ghats (Giri et al. 2019). Our study has expanded the morphological and geographical boundary of this species, by examining a ten-fold higher number of specimens (n = 33) from sites spanning over 1300 km, across the entire Western Ghats. We also depict its phylogenetic placement in a tree for the first time; in addition to genetic distances (also see Giri et al. 2019).	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E946FFF39D1FEFA99FB89.taxon	description	(Fig. 1 – 2; Table 1) Suggested common name: Beddome’s cat snake.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E946FFF39D1FEFA99FB89.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimens examined. (n = 2). INDIA. CESS 417 & CESS 418 from Mhadei WLS, Goa, BNHS 1793 from Talegoun Nabhade, Pune, BNHS 1796 from Khandala, Pune.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E946FFF39D1FEFA99FB89.taxon	diagnosis	Complementary Diagnosis. Boiga beddomei is phylogenetically allied to a clade (node support 100 %) consisting of B. nuchalis, B. ceylonensis of Sri Lanka and B. whitakeri sp. nov.; exhibiting 7.6 – 8.5, 8.9 – 9.3, 13.3 – 13.5 % divergence at cyt b with its sister species B. nuchalis and B. whitakeri sp. nov. and B. ceylonensis respectively; and a maximum intraspecific divergence of 2.5 %.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E946FFF39D1FEFA99FB89.taxon	discussion	Comments. The lectotypification by Ganesh et al. (2020) and the different phylogenetic placements revealed in the present study (see Fig. 1) implies that B. beddomei is a species endemic to the Northern Western Ghats of India. Thus, the Sri Lankan population previously attributed to ‘ B. beddomei ’ (sic) represented by the Sri Lankan sequence (fide Pyron et al. 2013) becomes obsolete as it is herein referred to as Boiga cf. ranawanei (also see Samarawickrama et al. 2005). The phylogenetic position of this Western Ghats population further corroborates the appropriate lectotype designation by Ganesh et al. (2020) that restricts B. beddomei as a species placed within the B. ceylonensis clade, clustering with B. ceylonensis and B. nuchalis — the two species Wall (1909) had originally associated B. beddomei with. Whereas the published sequence (i. e. B. cf. ranawanei) clusters with species not present in this clade (B. flaviviridis and B. thackerayi). Wallach et al. (2014) stated that the type locality is “ restricted to Sri Lanka fide Taylor (1950 b: 576) ”, citing “ Taylor, E. H. (1950 b). A brief review of Ceylonese snakes. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 33 (14), 519 – 603, 3 figs., pls. 12 – 25. ” Our perusal of Taylor’s original publication reveals its heading to be “ Snakes of Ceylon ”, the journal, issue and page numbers being the same as those mentioned in Wallach et al. (2014). Taylor only provided notes on ‘ B. beddomei ’ based on his new collections (EHT-HMS 30674 – 75 from 12 miles north of Trincomalee), but did not discuss its taxonomic history. The only place Taylor mentions the type locality is when he gives in chresonymy list “ type locality: Ceylon ” citing Wall (1909). This again is not correct, as Wall (1909) also had the specimen from Matheran (the lectotype after Ganesh et al. 2020). Wall (1909) was mistaken that R. H. Beddome collected the types whereas they were in fact procured by Major Barrett (see Boulenger, 1896). Wall’s subsequent treatments of B. beddomei also included data from both Indian and Sri Lankan populations (Wall 1919, 1921). Wallach et al. (2014) themselves list the type localities correctly, including Matheran of India. Thus, the supposed terra typica restricta attributed to Taylor (1950) by Wallach et al. (2014) is incorrect.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E9468FF39D4BDFE05FEF2.taxon	description	(Fig. 1 – 2; Table 1) Suggested common name: Yellow-green cat snake. Boiga beddomei (non Wall, 1909) — Chaitanya et al. 2019 Boiga cf. flaviviridis — Giri et al. 2019	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E9468FF39D4BDFE05FEF2.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimens examined. (n = 1). INDIA. CESS 529, an adult female from Horsley Hills, Chittoor dt., Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Ghats.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E9468FF39D4BDFE05FEF2.taxon	diagnosis	Complementary Diagnosis. Boiga flaviviridis is phylogenetically sister (node support 100 %) to the Sri Lankan Boiga cf. ranawanei. These two taxa are closely related to B. thackerayi (node support 100 %). Boiga flaviviridis is 9.1 – 9.5 % genetically divergent from its sister species B. cf. ranawanei and has 2.2 % intraspecific divergence between specimens from Horsley hills and Meghamalai at cyt b.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC65E9468FF39D4BDFE05FEF2.taxon	discussion	Comments. Boiga flaviviridis is a poorly known species for which phylogenetic data of well-identified vouchers are provided herein for the first time. The Giri et al. (2019) sequence represented as B. cf. flaviviridis is from leeward slopes of Western Ghats, a region not previously known to harbor this species (see Vogel & Ganesh, 2013). The present sequence from Horsley Hills is close to the referred material’s locality: Kaigal, both situated in Chittoor hills of the Eastern Ghats.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC6599468FF39D022FA8AFA3E.taxon	description	(Fig. 1 – 2; Table 1) Suggested common name: Collared cat snake.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC6599468FF39D022FA8AFA3E.taxon	materials_examined	Additional specimens examined. (n = 12). INDIA. CESS 270 collected by AKM from Thadiyendamol (12.229 N 75.623 E; 1336 m asl), Kodagu dt., Karnataka; CESS 310 collected by CM from Iruppu falls (11.969 N 75.985 E; 856 m asl), Kodagu dt., Karnataka; CESS 315 collected by CM from Potachipara (12.077 N 75.805 E; 190 m asl), Bramagiri, Kodagu dt., Karnataka; CESS 192 collected by IA & AD in 2011 from Kolli Hills (11.295 N 78.377 E; 1100 m asl), Namakkal dt., Tamil Nadu (Eastern Ghats); CESS 081 collected by AKM in 2010 from Meppadi (11.589 N 76.099 E; 757 m asl), Kalpetta, Waynad dt., Kerala; CESS 085 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Kalpetta (11.588 N 76.100 E; 775 m asl), Waynad dt., Kerala; CESS 094 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Siruvani (10.987 N 76.622 E; 789 m asl), Palghat dt., Kerala; CESS 165 collected by SP & MP in 2010 from Vazhachal (10.303 N 76.593 E; 233 m asl), Idukki dt., Kerala; CSPT / S- 85 Madurai dt., Tamil Nadu; SACON / VR- 73 a – b two from Meghamalai; SACON / VR- 73 c one from Anamalai; SACON / VR- 73 d one from Ooty.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC6599468FF39D022FA8AFA3E.taxon	diagnosis	Complementary Diagnosis. Boiga nuchalis is phylogenetically sister (node support 100 %) to a clade consisting of B. ceylonensis and B. whitakeri sp. nov. that in-turn cluster with high support (97 %). Boiga nuchalis is 5.9 – 6.5 % divergent from B. ceylonensis and 5.1 – 5.9 % from B. whitakeri sp. nov. at cyt b.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
7510136EC6599468FF39D022FA8AFA3E.taxon	discussion	Comments. Our new genetic results (see Fig. 1) support the earlier notion of Ganesh et al. (2020) that the populations in the Western Ghats and the disjunct ones occurring in the Southern Eastern Ghats are all conspecific and represent a single widespread species. The highest intraspecific divergence documented in this species is 2.6 %, between samples from Coorg and Wayanad, and 1.4 % divergence between Kolli Hills and Coorg at cyt b.	en	Ganesh, S. R., Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Achyuthan, N. S., Shanker, Kartik, Vogel, Gernot (2021): A new species of Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India with a molecular phylogeny and expanded characterisation of related species. Zootaxa 4981 (3): 449-468, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4981.3.2
