The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequ... more The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequently was restricted to the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern and south Brazil. We compare its original description with available data for Leptognathus alternans as well as with species of the genus Dipsas occurring in French Guiana. Leptognathus alternans is revalidated in the combination Dipsas alternans, representing the populations occurring in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern and south Brazil. The neotype of L. alternans is designated and described. The taxonomic status of L. incertus is revised and, in the interest of stabilizing the nomenclature of this species, Dipsas copei is synonymized with L. incertus in the combination Dipsas incerta, corresponding to populations of the Guianan region. The holotype of L. copei is designated as the neotype of L. incertus. Resumo. A serpente dipsadínea Leptognathus incertus foi descrita originalmente da Guiana Francesa e posteriormente restrita à Floresta Atlântica no sudeste e sul do Brasil. Comparamos sua descrição original com os dados disponíveis de Leptognathus alternans, bem como com espécies do gênero Dipsas que ocorrem na Guiana Francesa. Leptognathus alternans é revalidada sob a combinação Dipsas alternans, representando as populações que ocorrem na Floresta Atlântica do sudeste e sul do Brasil. O neótipo de L. alternans é designado e descrito. O status taxonômico de L. incertus é revisado e, no interesse da estabilização da nomenclatura desta espécie, Dipsas copei é sinonimizada com L. incertus sob a combinação Dipsas incerta, correspondendo às populações da região das Guianas. O holótipo de L. copei é designado como o neótipo de L. incertus.
In the present study we monitored a population of Nyctimantis brunoi, a species commonly found in... more In the present study we monitored a population of Nyctimantis brunoi, a species commonly found in restingas of southeastern Brazil. Field activities were carried out in the Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), a protected area located in the northern portion of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Specimens were sampled through a complete species inventory. We analyzed 218 individuals, 32 (14.7%) of which have anomalies. Additionally, a subsample of 15 specimens were radiographed to verify the occurrence of skeletal anomalies not externally detectable and to verify if the classification of anomalies attributed by means of external examination are detectable in the osteological structure of the specimen. There are 12 types of anomalies recognized in this population, three of them only detectable through internal investigation (radiography). We verified that most of anomalies externally detectable were correctly classified when compared to the osteological morphology of the radio...
Sexual dimorphism in snake head/skull is poorly known, although analyses in other vertebrate grou... more Sexual dimorphism in snake head/skull is poorly known, although analyses in other vertebrate groups have already pointed this kind of morphological difference. Herein we evaluated the existence of sexual dimorphism in the skull of Xenodon neuwiedii through Geometric Morphometrics (GM). We found that females have larger skulls than males using centroid size data. Considering the ventral view of the palatomaxillary apparatus, compared to females, males tend to have longer maxilla, ectopterygoid slightly laterally shifted, palatine slightly shorter, and longer pterygoid. For the dorsal view, males showed larger snout, more oblique frontoparietal suture, posterior region of the skull more tapered, larger supraoccipital, and larger and more oblique supratemporals. Xenodon neuwiedii showed static allometry only for the symmetric component of the dorsal view, with 9.7% of shape variation explained by size. The present study is the first evaluating and describing sexual dimorphism in skull ...
We provide an inventory checklist of the amphibians from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatib... more We provide an inventory checklist of the amphibians from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), a sandy coastal environment in southeastern Brazil. As a result of three years of surveys, from August 2013 to June 2016, a total of 36 amphibians species were recorded-one Gymnophiona (Typhlonectidae) and 35 species of five anuran families: Bufonidae (2 species), Craugastoridae (1), Hylidae (21), Leptodactylidae (8), and Microhylidae (3). One specie is reported for the first time for the restinga ecosystem (Chthonerpeton braestrupi) and 24 species were recorded for the first time to the PNRJ. This result reinforces the importance of long-term studies for accurate knowledge of the biodiversity. Considering that the biodiversity of the fragments of the sandy coastal environments in the state of Rio de Janeiro is poorly known, the present study provided a more detailed knowledge about different aspects of the biodiversity in the PNRJ, contributing to the preservation of this threatened ecosystem.
Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenh... more Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.
The snake genus Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 is endemic to the Neotropical region, occurring from Ho... more The snake genus Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 is endemic to the Neotropical region, occurring from Honduras to Uruguay and northeastern Argentina. Some species of the genus have taxonomic and/or nomenclatural problems, such as C. flavolineatus which lacks agreement in the literature about its authorship and type locality. Some researchers have been suggesting Jan (1863) as the author of the species since he first described C. flavolineatus based on two specimens. However, other researchers report that Jan's description is so incomplete that it is not possible to ascertain what snake he had in mind and therefore suggest Boettger (1885) as the author, since he was the first to provide a detailed description of the species. In the present study one of the syntypes of C. flavolineatus, supposedly destroyed in Second World War, was found. Thus, the taxonomic identity of C. flavolineatus was redefined, its lectotype was designated and the authorship of the taxa is attributed to Jan (1863).
The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern ... more The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern end of Serra do Espinhaço, in Santo Inácio, state of Bahia, but since then it has been recorded in other Brazilian localities of the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Sergipe. Here, we review the collected specimens based on molecular markers (mitochondrial 12S, 16S, ND4 and cyt b, and nuclear C-mos and NT3) and morphological evidence (external, hemipenial and osteological morphologies). In the course of our revision we find out that Psilophthalmus Rodrigues 1991 was preoccupied by Psilophthalmus Szépligeti 1902 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). The replacement name Psilops is proposed for the genus for which we recognize three species, with Psilops paeminosus as type species. One of the new species is found along the high elevation areas of the Chapada Diamantina plateaus, state of Bahia, while the other occurs in the cerrados of “Serra Geral”, in the occidental plateaus of that state. Psilop...
Hydrodynastes bicinctus was described with no type material or locality and it has two subspecies... more Hydrodynastes bicinctus was described with no type material or locality and it has two subspecies currently recognized that are not taxonomically well defined. We tested the validity of the two subspecies through meristic, morphometric, and color pattern characters. Two apparently distinct color patterns of H. bicinctus were noticed, one from the Cerrado open formations and the other from the Amazon rainforest. These aforementioned patterns, however, exhibited a high degree of geographic overlap and many specimens showed a blended pattern. Based on these results we propose synonymizing H. bicinctus schultzi with the nominal taxon. Furthermore, we designate a neotype for the species, present data on geographic distribution, and provide morphological descriptions of the hemipenis, cephalic glands, and skull.
The coral snake genus Micrurus has non-aggressive behavior, being responsible for only 0.4% of th... more The coral snake genus Micrurus has non-aggressive behavior, being responsible for only 0.4% of the reports of snakebites in Brazil. However, although rare, accidents are potentially serious due to rapidly evolving respiratory paralysis. In the last few years, there was an abrupt reduction in the number of hospitals receiving antivenom support in Rio de Janeiro State, and currently the Health Ministry of Brazil distributes the antivenom only to 25 hospitals in 21 municipalities, even so with no data on specific serum provided by each hospital. This study aimed to determine the potential distribution of Micrurus species in Rio de Janeiro State in order to compare potential areas for risk of elapidic accidents with the localities assisted by hospitals with antivenom distribution. We performed ecological niche models to generate maps of potential distribution for all species through several niche algorithms. Based on these results we analyzed and discussed the consequences of this change in the number of hospitals receiving antivenom. Our results revealed the potential occurrence of the genus throughout the State territory and show a partially homogeneous distribution of health units, although the northern region represents an area with a deficiency in hospital coverage. According to our results and data from the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Health, it is highly desirable that at least some antivenom service centers in the regions "Metropolitana" and "Baixadas Litorâneas" receive antielapidic serum and that there be an increase in the number of units in "Norte Fluminense" and "Noroeste Fluminense" regions of Rio de Janeiro State.
We describe a new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the highlands of Chapada Diamantina, ... more We describe a new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the highlands of Chapada Diamantina, state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by a unique combination of states of characters on coloration, scale counts, scale ornamentation, and hemipenis. The new species closely resembles Chironius flavolineatus (Jan, 1863) in color pattern, but differs from the later taxon by the presence of two to four posterior temporal scales; cloacal shield entire; six to ten rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody; ventral scales with posterior dark edges forming conspicuous transverse bars along almost the entire venter; conspicuous dark longitudinal stripes (in "zigzag") in the midventral portion of subcaudals; region of medial constriction of hemipenis slightly covered with spinules separating calyces of apex from spines below region of constriction; and sulcus spermaticus situated on convex face of hemipenis in lateral view. The ...
The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequ... more The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequently was restricted to the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern and south Brazil. We compare its original description with available data for Leptognathus alternans as well as with species of the genus Dipsas occurring in French Guiana. Leptognathus alternans is revalidated in the combination Dipsas alternans, representing the populations occurring in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern and south Brazil. The neotype of L. alternans is designated and described. The taxonomic status of L. incertus is revised and, in the interest of stabilizing the nomenclature of this species, Dipsas copei is synonymized with L. incertus in the combination Dipsas incerta, corresponding to populations of the Guianan region. The holotype of L. copei is designated as the neotype of L. incertus. A serpente dipsadínea Leptognathus incertus foi descrita originalmente da Guiana Francesa e posteriormente res...
The genus Erythrolamprus Boie (1826) comprises six species of Central and South American false co... more The genus Erythrolamprus Boie (1826) comprises six species of Central and South American false coral snakes (Peters & Orejas-Miranda 1970; Zaher 1999; Curcio et al. 2009). It is traditionally allocated in the tribe Xenodontini (subfamily Xenodontinae), along with the genera Liophis, Lystrophis, Umbrivaga, Waglerophis and Xenodon (sensu Dixon 1980; Cadle 1984; Myers 1986; Ferrarezzi 1994; Zaher 1999). Although Xenodontini is supported by morphological and molecular evidence, phylogenetic relationships and classification within the tribe have been the subject of recent debate. Molecular phylogenetic studies have recovered clades with Erythrolamprus nested within some representatives of the genus Liophis (Vidal et al. 2000; Zaher et al. 2009), partly corroborating previous hypotheses based on morphology (e.g. Dixon 1980).
Stability is an essential feature both to taxonomy and nomenclature. However, zoology is recently... more Stability is an essential feature both to taxonomy and nomenclature. However, zoology is recently being flooded with countless proposals of taxonomic and/or nomenclatural changes, some of which may be considered premature when poorly supported or based upon overestimated hypotheses. We emphasize that the choice of not proposing nomenclatural and/or taxonomic changes might be as relevant as proposing new hypotheses and, therefore, must be carefully considered. Despite being apparently obvious and intuitive, this option seems to be only rarely cogitated.
The wormsnakes Leptotyphlopidae include the smallest and thinnest snakes of the world. This group... more The wormsnakes Leptotyphlopidae include the smallest and thinnest snakes of the world. This group has historically fewtaxonomic studies and the descriptions of taxa in general are superficial, frequently preventing an accurate identification.This family includes the genus Epictia with many representatives with taxonomic major issues, including Epictia munoai.We redescribe and compare E. munoai with other related cisandine species in order to evaluate its taxonomic status con-sidering the morphological analysis of specimens. A table with some diagnostic characters of each species is presented.Epictia munoai is distinguished from other related species mostly by low number of middorsal and midventral scales, and is distributed in coastal areas in southern Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina.
A new species of Hydrodynastes is described from the State of Tocantins, Central Brazil. The new ... more A new species of Hydrodynastes is described from the State of Tocantins, Central Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by having a melanistic color pattern, with head and dorsum of the body mostly dark-brown to black; absence of postocular stripe; venter grayish-brown, with dark rounded blotches outlining two lateral stripes which become gradually paler towards the posterior region of the belly, disappearing after midbody. Comparisons of the new species are made with others species of the genus and its affinity with H. gigas is suggested based on meristic and hemipenial characters
Dipsas sazimai sp. nov. is described from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The new species is disti... more Dipsas sazimai sp. nov. is described from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by showing anterior portion of body with rounded dorsal blotches wider than interblotches; median and posterior portion of body with blotches higher than long and narrower than interblotches; posterior body blotches lighter than anterior blotches; posterior blotches with conspicuous white edge in paraventral region; tiny and vertically oriented streaks in the interblotches from the posterior half of body; 187–209 ventral scales; 107–129 subcaudal scales; and the first blotch not reaching the rictus. Based on characters of external morphology and color pattern we suggest the new species is related to taxa of the recently proposed Dipsas incerta species group.
The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequ... more The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequently was restricted to the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern and south Brazil. We compare its original description with available data for Leptognathus alternans as well as with species of the genus Dipsas occurring in French Guiana. Leptognathus alternans is revalidated in the combination Dipsas alternans, representing the populations occurring in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern and south Brazil. The neotype of L. alternans is designated and described. The taxonomic status of L. incertus is revised and, in the interest of stabilizing the nomenclature of this species, Dipsas copei is synonymized with L. incertus in the combination Dipsas incerta, corresponding to populations of the Guianan region. The holotype of L. copei is designated as the neotype of L. incertus. Resumo. A serpente dipsadínea Leptognathus incertus foi descrita originalmente da Guiana Francesa e posteriormente restrita à Floresta Atlântica no sudeste e sul do Brasil. Comparamos sua descrição original com os dados disponíveis de Leptognathus alternans, bem como com espécies do gênero Dipsas que ocorrem na Guiana Francesa. Leptognathus alternans é revalidada sob a combinação Dipsas alternans, representando as populações que ocorrem na Floresta Atlântica do sudeste e sul do Brasil. O neótipo de L. alternans é designado e descrito. O status taxonômico de L. incertus é revisado e, no interesse da estabilização da nomenclatura desta espécie, Dipsas copei é sinonimizada com L. incertus sob a combinação Dipsas incerta, correspondendo às populações da região das Guianas. O holótipo de L. copei é designado como o neótipo de L. incertus.
In the present study we monitored a population of Nyctimantis brunoi, a species commonly found in... more In the present study we monitored a population of Nyctimantis brunoi, a species commonly found in restingas of southeastern Brazil. Field activities were carried out in the Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), a protected area located in the northern portion of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Specimens were sampled through a complete species inventory. We analyzed 218 individuals, 32 (14.7%) of which have anomalies. Additionally, a subsample of 15 specimens were radiographed to verify the occurrence of skeletal anomalies not externally detectable and to verify if the classification of anomalies attributed by means of external examination are detectable in the osteological structure of the specimen. There are 12 types of anomalies recognized in this population, three of them only detectable through internal investigation (radiography). We verified that most of anomalies externally detectable were correctly classified when compared to the osteological morphology of the radio...
Sexual dimorphism in snake head/skull is poorly known, although analyses in other vertebrate grou... more Sexual dimorphism in snake head/skull is poorly known, although analyses in other vertebrate groups have already pointed this kind of morphological difference. Herein we evaluated the existence of sexual dimorphism in the skull of Xenodon neuwiedii through Geometric Morphometrics (GM). We found that females have larger skulls than males using centroid size data. Considering the ventral view of the palatomaxillary apparatus, compared to females, males tend to have longer maxilla, ectopterygoid slightly laterally shifted, palatine slightly shorter, and longer pterygoid. For the dorsal view, males showed larger snout, more oblique frontoparietal suture, posterior region of the skull more tapered, larger supraoccipital, and larger and more oblique supratemporals. Xenodon neuwiedii showed static allometry only for the symmetric component of the dorsal view, with 9.7% of shape variation explained by size. The present study is the first evaluating and describing sexual dimorphism in skull ...
We provide an inventory checklist of the amphibians from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatib... more We provide an inventory checklist of the amphibians from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), a sandy coastal environment in southeastern Brazil. As a result of three years of surveys, from August 2013 to June 2016, a total of 36 amphibians species were recorded-one Gymnophiona (Typhlonectidae) and 35 species of five anuran families: Bufonidae (2 species), Craugastoridae (1), Hylidae (21), Leptodactylidae (8), and Microhylidae (3). One specie is reported for the first time for the restinga ecosystem (Chthonerpeton braestrupi) and 24 species were recorded for the first time to the PNRJ. This result reinforces the importance of long-term studies for accurate knowledge of the biodiversity. Considering that the biodiversity of the fragments of the sandy coastal environments in the state of Rio de Janeiro is poorly known, the present study provided a more detailed knowledge about different aspects of the biodiversity in the PNRJ, contributing to the preservation of this threatened ecosystem.
Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenh... more Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.
The snake genus Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 is endemic to the Neotropical region, occurring from Ho... more The snake genus Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 is endemic to the Neotropical region, occurring from Honduras to Uruguay and northeastern Argentina. Some species of the genus have taxonomic and/or nomenclatural problems, such as C. flavolineatus which lacks agreement in the literature about its authorship and type locality. Some researchers have been suggesting Jan (1863) as the author of the species since he first described C. flavolineatus based on two specimens. However, other researchers report that Jan's description is so incomplete that it is not possible to ascertain what snake he had in mind and therefore suggest Boettger (1885) as the author, since he was the first to provide a detailed description of the species. In the present study one of the syntypes of C. flavolineatus, supposedly destroyed in Second World War, was found. Thus, the taxonomic identity of C. flavolineatus was redefined, its lectotype was designated and the authorship of the taxa is attributed to Jan (1863).
The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern ... more The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern end of Serra do Espinhaço, in Santo Inácio, state of Bahia, but since then it has been recorded in other Brazilian localities of the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Sergipe. Here, we review the collected specimens based on molecular markers (mitochondrial 12S, 16S, ND4 and cyt b, and nuclear C-mos and NT3) and morphological evidence (external, hemipenial and osteological morphologies). In the course of our revision we find out that Psilophthalmus Rodrigues 1991 was preoccupied by Psilophthalmus Szépligeti 1902 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). The replacement name Psilops is proposed for the genus for which we recognize three species, with Psilops paeminosus as type species. One of the new species is found along the high elevation areas of the Chapada Diamantina plateaus, state of Bahia, while the other occurs in the cerrados of “Serra Geral”, in the occidental plateaus of that state. Psilop...
Hydrodynastes bicinctus was described with no type material or locality and it has two subspecies... more Hydrodynastes bicinctus was described with no type material or locality and it has two subspecies currently recognized that are not taxonomically well defined. We tested the validity of the two subspecies through meristic, morphometric, and color pattern characters. Two apparently distinct color patterns of H. bicinctus were noticed, one from the Cerrado open formations and the other from the Amazon rainforest. These aforementioned patterns, however, exhibited a high degree of geographic overlap and many specimens showed a blended pattern. Based on these results we propose synonymizing H. bicinctus schultzi with the nominal taxon. Furthermore, we designate a neotype for the species, present data on geographic distribution, and provide morphological descriptions of the hemipenis, cephalic glands, and skull.
The coral snake genus Micrurus has non-aggressive behavior, being responsible for only 0.4% of th... more The coral snake genus Micrurus has non-aggressive behavior, being responsible for only 0.4% of the reports of snakebites in Brazil. However, although rare, accidents are potentially serious due to rapidly evolving respiratory paralysis. In the last few years, there was an abrupt reduction in the number of hospitals receiving antivenom support in Rio de Janeiro State, and currently the Health Ministry of Brazil distributes the antivenom only to 25 hospitals in 21 municipalities, even so with no data on specific serum provided by each hospital. This study aimed to determine the potential distribution of Micrurus species in Rio de Janeiro State in order to compare potential areas for risk of elapidic accidents with the localities assisted by hospitals with antivenom distribution. We performed ecological niche models to generate maps of potential distribution for all species through several niche algorithms. Based on these results we analyzed and discussed the consequences of this change in the number of hospitals receiving antivenom. Our results revealed the potential occurrence of the genus throughout the State territory and show a partially homogeneous distribution of health units, although the northern region represents an area with a deficiency in hospital coverage. According to our results and data from the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Health, it is highly desirable that at least some antivenom service centers in the regions "Metropolitana" and "Baixadas Litorâneas" receive antielapidic serum and that there be an increase in the number of units in "Norte Fluminense" and "Noroeste Fluminense" regions of Rio de Janeiro State.
We describe a new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the highlands of Chapada Diamantina, ... more We describe a new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the highlands of Chapada Diamantina, state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by a unique combination of states of characters on coloration, scale counts, scale ornamentation, and hemipenis. The new species closely resembles Chironius flavolineatus (Jan, 1863) in color pattern, but differs from the later taxon by the presence of two to four posterior temporal scales; cloacal shield entire; six to ten rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody; ventral scales with posterior dark edges forming conspicuous transverse bars along almost the entire venter; conspicuous dark longitudinal stripes (in "zigzag") in the midventral portion of subcaudals; region of medial constriction of hemipenis slightly covered with spinules separating calyces of apex from spines below region of constriction; and sulcus spermaticus situated on convex face of hemipenis in lateral view. The ...
The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequ... more The dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequently was restricted to the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern and south Brazil. We compare its original description with available data for Leptognathus alternans as well as with species of the genus Dipsas occurring in French Guiana. Leptognathus alternans is revalidated in the combination Dipsas alternans, representing the populations occurring in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern and south Brazil. The neotype of L. alternans is designated and described. The taxonomic status of L. incertus is revised and, in the interest of stabilizing the nomenclature of this species, Dipsas copei is synonymized with L. incertus in the combination Dipsas incerta, corresponding to populations of the Guianan region. The holotype of L. copei is designated as the neotype of L. incertus. A serpente dipsadínea Leptognathus incertus foi descrita originalmente da Guiana Francesa e posteriormente res...
The genus Erythrolamprus Boie (1826) comprises six species of Central and South American false co... more The genus Erythrolamprus Boie (1826) comprises six species of Central and South American false coral snakes (Peters & Orejas-Miranda 1970; Zaher 1999; Curcio et al. 2009). It is traditionally allocated in the tribe Xenodontini (subfamily Xenodontinae), along with the genera Liophis, Lystrophis, Umbrivaga, Waglerophis and Xenodon (sensu Dixon 1980; Cadle 1984; Myers 1986; Ferrarezzi 1994; Zaher 1999). Although Xenodontini is supported by morphological and molecular evidence, phylogenetic relationships and classification within the tribe have been the subject of recent debate. Molecular phylogenetic studies have recovered clades with Erythrolamprus nested within some representatives of the genus Liophis (Vidal et al. 2000; Zaher et al. 2009), partly corroborating previous hypotheses based on morphology (e.g. Dixon 1980).
Stability is an essential feature both to taxonomy and nomenclature. However, zoology is recently... more Stability is an essential feature both to taxonomy and nomenclature. However, zoology is recently being flooded with countless proposals of taxonomic and/or nomenclatural changes, some of which may be considered premature when poorly supported or based upon overestimated hypotheses. We emphasize that the choice of not proposing nomenclatural and/or taxonomic changes might be as relevant as proposing new hypotheses and, therefore, must be carefully considered. Despite being apparently obvious and intuitive, this option seems to be only rarely cogitated.
The wormsnakes Leptotyphlopidae include the smallest and thinnest snakes of the world. This group... more The wormsnakes Leptotyphlopidae include the smallest and thinnest snakes of the world. This group has historically fewtaxonomic studies and the descriptions of taxa in general are superficial, frequently preventing an accurate identification.This family includes the genus Epictia with many representatives with taxonomic major issues, including Epictia munoai.We redescribe and compare E. munoai with other related cisandine species in order to evaluate its taxonomic status con-sidering the morphological analysis of specimens. A table with some diagnostic characters of each species is presented.Epictia munoai is distinguished from other related species mostly by low number of middorsal and midventral scales, and is distributed in coastal areas in southern Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina.
A new species of Hydrodynastes is described from the State of Tocantins, Central Brazil. The new ... more A new species of Hydrodynastes is described from the State of Tocantins, Central Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by having a melanistic color pattern, with head and dorsum of the body mostly dark-brown to black; absence of postocular stripe; venter grayish-brown, with dark rounded blotches outlining two lateral stripes which become gradually paler towards the posterior region of the belly, disappearing after midbody. Comparisons of the new species are made with others species of the genus and its affinity with H. gigas is suggested based on meristic and hemipenial characters
Dipsas sazimai sp. nov. is described from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The new species is disti... more Dipsas sazimai sp. nov. is described from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by showing anterior portion of body with rounded dorsal blotches wider than interblotches; median and posterior portion of body with blotches higher than long and narrower than interblotches; posterior body blotches lighter than anterior blotches; posterior blotches with conspicuous white edge in paraventral region; tiny and vertically oriented streaks in the interblotches from the posterior half of body; 187–209 ventral scales; 107–129 subcaudal scales; and the first blotch not reaching the rictus. Based on characters of external morphology and color pattern we suggest the new species is related to taxa of the recently proposed Dipsas incerta species group.
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