Comparative studies on hemipenes of four species of Trimeresurus (sensu stricto) (Serpentes: Crotalinae)

Abstract

The hemipenes of four species of Chinese pit vipers, Trimeresurus albolabris, T. medoensis, T. stejnegeri, T. xiangchengensis, were described and illustrated. The results showed that the four species are notably different in hemipenial structures, and the hemipenes of four species can be clustered into three types. Furthermore, a comparison with the hemipenes of related species in the genus was conducted.