Taxonomic notes on the wolf snakes <i>Lycodon</i> (Fitzinger, 1826) of Myanmar: new records, redescriptions, and an annotated key (Squamata: Colubridae)

This study provides an updated taxonomic and distributional account of the wolf snakes (<italic>Lycodon</italic> Fitzinger) inhabiting Myanmar (Burma) based on an examination of preserved specimens and photo-documented observations. A detailed morphological re-description of <italic>Lycodon kundui</italic> Smith is provided. Three species, <italic>Lycodon chapaensis</italic> (Angel &amp; Bourret), <italic>Lycodon laoensis</italic> Günther, and <italic>Lycodon zayuensis</italic> Jiang, Wang, Jin &amp; Che <italic>in</italic> Che, Jiang, Yan &amp; Zhang are confirmed as country records, and range extensions are reported for two more species: <italic>Lycodon davisoni</italic> (Blanford) and <italic>Lycodon zawi</italic> Slowinski, Pawar, Htun Win, Thin Thin, Sai Wanna Gyi, San Lwin Oo &amp; Hla Tun. In addition, the distributional limits between <italic>L. chapaensis</italic> and <italic>Lycodon septentrionalis</italic> (Günther) within Myanmar are clarified. A previous record of <italic>Lycodon gracilis</italic> (Günther) (formerly <italic>Dryocalamus gracilis</italic>) from present-day Rakhine State is considered erroneous. The total number of <italic>Lycodon</italic> species native to Myanmar is increased to 16, while two species, <italic>Lycodon flavozonatus</italic> (Pope) and the aforementioned <italic>L</italic>. <italic>gracilis</italic>, are removed from the country’s snake fauna. An updated key to all <italic>Lycodon</italic> native to Myanmar is presented.