Oligodon taeniatus, sensu Gunther, 1864

David, P., Vogel, G. & van Rooijen, J., 2008, A revision of the Oligodon taeniatus (Günther, 1861) group (Squamata: Colubridae), with the description of three new species from the Indochinese Region, Zootaxa 1965, pp. 1-49 : 47

Key to the Oligodon taeniatus -group

These species are better identified on the basis of the number of dorsal rows, then by their dorsal and tail pattern:

1 19 DSR at neck and at midbody ..................................................................................... Oligodon taeniatus

- 17 DSR at neck and at midbody..................................................................................................................2

2 Dorsal pattern with 10–14 dark brown or black butterfly-like blotches on the upper surface of body + 2–3 on the tail; no vertebral stripe ........................................................................................... Oligodon barroni

- Dorsal pattern striped, without large blotches on the body.........................................................................3

3 At least 175 ventrals in females; vertebral and black paravertebral stripes broad and very conspicuous; venter largely dark ........................................................................................... Oligodon moricei spec. nov.

- Not more than 165 ventrals in both sexes; paravertebral stripes weak; venter pale with well defined subrectangular blotches.....................................................................................................................................4

4 Two conspicuous, large blotches on the tail .................................................................... Oligodon mouhoti

- No, or small blotches on the tail..................................................................................................................5

5 A narrow, faint vertebral stripe edged with two dark longitudinal paravertebral stripes; a poorly distinct dorsolateral stripe; 14–15 maxillary teeth; presubocular present; 8 supralabials; ratio TaL/TL in males at least 0.20 ............................................................................................ Oligodon pseudotaeniatus spec. nov.

- A broad vertebral stripe, orange, rusty red or pale yellow, edged with faint paravertebral stripes; dorsolateral stripes reduced to a line of dots; 12–14 maxillary teeth; no presubocular; 7 (very rarely 8) supralabials; ratio TaL/TL in males below 0.175 ............................................................. Oligodon deuvei spec. nov.