[Herpetology • 2024] Erythrolamprus darwinnunezi • A New Species of Erythrolamprus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Andes of Ecuador

Erythrolamprus darwinnunezi 

Torres-Carvajal, Hinojosa & Paucar, 2024

DOI: 10.1670/2237051  

 

 Abstract  

We describe a new species of Erythrolamprus from the eastern slopes of the Tropical Andes in Ecuador. The most similar species in morphology and color patterns are E. fraseri and E. lamonae. However, this new species differs in dorsal and ventral color patterning, as well as scale count and hemipenial morphology. Previous molecular phylogenies strongly support monophyly of the new species described herein and its sister taxon relationship with E. fraseri from the western slopes of the Andes of Ecuador and northern Peru. An identification key for species of Ecuadorian Erythrolamprus formerly assigned as subspecies of E. epinephelus is provided.

Holotype of Erythrolamprus darwinnunezi sp. nov. (female, QCAZ 9972) in preservative.
Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of the body (374 mm SVL), and dorsal (C), lateral (D), and ventral (E) views of the head.

 Scale bar (C, D, E) = 10 mm.

General view of specimens of Erythrolamprus darwinnunezi sp. nov. in life.
QCAZ 10001, male, 215 mm SVL (A) and QCAZ 18245, male, 281 mm SVL (B).

Photographs by author Diego A. Paucar.

Erythrolamprus darwinnunezi sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis.—E. darwinnunezi sp. nov. differs from all other known congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) dorsal scales in 17–17–15 rows; (2) eight supralabials, with fourth and fifth contacting orbit; (3) 8–10 infralabials, with anterior five or six contacting chinshields; (4) one preocular; (5) two postoculars; (6) 1 + 2 temporals; (7) one or two preventrals; (8) 143–154 ventrals in males, 138–159 in females; (9) 55–66 divided subcaudals in males, 56–66 in females; (10) two pairs of black longitudinal stripes from about midbody to tip of tail, and the ventrolateral stripe is wider, extending over dorsal scale rows II and III, and the dorsal stripe forms a thin line between dorsal rows VI and VII; and (11) yellowish venter, with scattered dark, hill-shaped marks, with the hill base on the proximal border of the ventral scale, except on the tail.

Etymology.—The specific epithet darwinnunezi is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym for Darwin Núñez, Ecuadorian herpetologist, in recognition for his extensive field collections that have contributed to science and conservation of the herpetofauna of Ecuador. In addition to the present description, Núñez has collected type specimens of several species of amphibians and reptiles described in recent years, such as Hyloscirtus hillisi (Ron et al., 2018), Pristimantis anaiae (Ortega et al., 2022), Pholidobolus condor, and P. fascinatus (Parra et al., 2020).

Omar Torres-Carvajal, Katherin C. Hinojosa and Diego A. Paucar. 2024. A New Species of Erythrolamprus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Andes of Ecuador. Journal of Herpetology. 58 (2), 198-208. DOI: doi.org/10.1670/2237051  

[Herpetology • 2023] Paikwaophis kruki • Hiding in the Mists: Molecular phylogenetic position and Description of A New Genus and Species of Snake (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from the Remote Cloud Forest of the Lost World

Paikwaophis kruki 

Kok & Means, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad082 

Researchgate.net/publication/373165659

 

Abstract

Pantepui s.l. is a remote, biodiverse region of ~400 000 km2 containing at least five endemic reptile genera and a number of ancient vertebrate lineages. Here, we describe an additional endemic snake genus and species, Paikwaophis kruki  gen. nov., sp. nov. (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae), recently collected in the Pantepui cloud forest that sits at the base of the steep cliffs of Roraima-tepui and Wei-Assipu-tepui (table mountains of the Eastern Tepui Chain) in Guyana, South America. Multilocus molecular data strongly support Paikwaophis  gen. nov. to be most closely related to Xenopholis Peters, 1869, although both genera are strikingly different morphologically. Osteological and other phenotypic data suggest that Paikwaophis is semi-fossorial; its diet includes minute lizards. Paikwaophis is currently the only known Pantepui endemic snake genus. The immature female holotype is the only known specimen. 

Keywords: anatomy, BDNF nuDNA gene, c-mos nuDNA gene, cytb mtDNA gene, Guiana Shield, Guyana, 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, ND4 mtDNA gene, osteology

Phylogenetic relationships of the family Dipsadidae inferred from a concatenated dataset of six genes (four mtDNA and two nuDNA genes; 3772 bp) using Bayesian inference. Statistical supports for both Bayesian and maximum likelihood (IQ-TREE) analyses are provided at nodes (see key, lower right inset). Photographs are by D.B.M. (Paikwaophis kruki) and courtesy of the Reptiles of Ecuador book project (Xenopholis scalaris).

 Three-dimensional model of the skull of the holotype of Paikwaophis kruki (RBINS 2734) based on μCT imagery. A, dorsal view. B, lateral view. C, ventral view.

Abbreviations: bo, basioccipital; bs, basisphenoid; col, columella; cp, compound bone; cps, conchal process of septomaxilla; d, dentary; ecp, ectopterygoid; exo, exoccipital; f, frontal; mx, maxillary; na, nasal; occ, occipital; p, parietal; pal, palatine; pfr, prefrontal; pmx, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pro, prootic; psp, parasphenoid rostrum; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; smx, septomaxilla; so, supraoccipital; st, supratemporal; su, supraorbital; v, vomer.

Family Dipsadidae Bonaparte, 1838

Subfamily Xenodontinae Cope, 1893

Paikwaophis gen. nov.

 

Type species: Paikwaophis kruki sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the river name ‘Paikwa’ (referring to the type locality) and the Greek ‘ophis’ (meaning snake).

Generic diagnosis: Paikwaophis can be differentiated from all other Xenodontinae (and Dipsadidae) by the combination of the following morphological characters: head poorly distinct from neck; body robust, slightly wider than high; tail short, ~13% of total length in female; snout short and blunt; rostral wider than high, visible from above; undivided nasal; paired internasals; paired prefrontals; subtriangular frontal; absence of loreal; presence of minute cephalic sensory pits; eye medium in size, with vertically oval pupil, iris dark reddish orange; single supraocular; one preocular, two postoculars; three rows of temporals; chinshields medium in size, anterior chinshields projecting frontolaterally; body scales rhomboid, smooth, lacking keels or apical pits, 17 dorsal scale rows without reduction; subcaudals paired; anal entire; aglyphous, presence of a diastema; low number of teeth: 7 prediastemal maxillary teeth, 2 enlarged postdiastemal maxillary teeth, 8 pterygoid teeth, 5 palatine teeth, 12 dentary teeth; neural spines smooth, ungrooved and not laterally expanded; 175 trunk vertebrae; absence of hypapophyses on posterior vertebrae; caudal vertebrae with distinct haemapophyses; lacrimal foramen large and vertically ovoid; and postorbital bone highly reduced, free from the frontal bone.

Holotype of Paikwaophis kruki (RBINS 2734).
A, dorsal view in life (photograph by D.B.M.). B, dorsolateral view of anterior body in life (photograph by D.B.M.). C, ventral view in preservative (photograph by P.J.R.K.).

  Paikwaophis kruki  gen. nov., sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘kruki’ is a noun in the genitive case, honouring Professor Andrzej Kruk (born 1971), the current Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Łódź, Poland, for his friendship and his influential contribution in enhancing the quality of research at the University of Łódź.

Philippe J. R. Kok and D. Bruce Means. 2023. Hiding in the Mists: Molecular phylogenetic position and Description of A New Genus and Species of Snake (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from the Remote Cloud Forest of the Lost World. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad082. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad082

  Researchgate.net/publication/373165659_a_new_genus_and_species_of_Xenodontinae_from_the_Lost_World

[Herpetology • 2023] Tachymenoides harrisonfordi • A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from the Puna of the Otishi National Park in Peru

 

Tachymenoides harrisonfordi

Lehr, Cusi, Fernandez, Vera & Catenazzi, 2023

 SALAMANDRA. 59(3)  

 facebook.com/MHNUNMSM

Abstract

 We describe a new snake species of the genus Tachymenoides from the scientifically unexplored southern sector of the Otishi National Park in Peru (Region Junín). The single adult male specimen with a total length of 407 mm was obtained in the Pantano la Esperanza swamp of a puna valley at 3248 m a.s.l. The new species has smooth dorsal scales without apical pits in 19/17/15 series, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, 1 loreal, undivided nasal scale, 2+3 temporals, 139 ventrals, 55 subcaudals, and a divided cloacal scale. In life, the dorsum is pale yellowish brown with scattered black blotches that form a paravertebral stripe (one scale wide) on each side at the posterior half of the body. The flanks are black ventrolaterally (2–3 scales high), followed at the posterior half of the body by a pale yellowish-brown longitudinal stripe of two scales width, bordered dorsolaterally by the black paravertebral stripe. The throat and first 60 mm of the ventral body are pale yellowish tan with black flecks, and a ventrolateral black stripe on each side of the same length, the remaining venter and tail entirely black. The head has dorsally a black stripe from the posterior margins of the postoculars extending over the outside margins of the rostrals over the head scales (2–3 scales in width) and narrowing to 1 scale width on the neck region before ending; laterally, the head has black flecks on the supralabials, and a black stripe extending from postoculars diagonally over parietals over posterior supralabials to the corner of the jaw. The iris is copper with a vertical pupil. The type locality of Proctoporus titans is corrected. 

Key words. Squamata, reptiles, snakes, Andes, Region Cusco, Region Junín, protected areas

Living holotype of Tachymenoides harrisonfordi sp. n. (MUSM 40925)

Total length of the snake is 407 mm.

Tachymenoides harrisonfordi sp. n.  

English Common Name: Harrison Ford’s Slender Snake

Definition: One preocular, 10 maxillary teeth; 11 dentary teeth; dorsal scale rows smooth in 19/17/15 series; dorsal scales lacking apical pits; ventrals 139; subcaudals 54; venter entirely black except for the anterior 60 mm that are pale yellowish-tan scattered with black flecks, distinguishing a ventrolateral black stripe on each side of the same length; irregular scattered black blotches forming a dorsal longitudinal stripe on the posterior half of the body; flanks ventrolaterally black about 2–3 scales high, posterior third of the body with three longitudinal skin folds (one middorsal, two paravertebral).

Etymology: We dedicate this species to Harrison Ford, actor and conservationist, in recognition of his work for Conservation International and his voice for nature (e.g., “Nature is speaking – Harrison Ford is The Ocean”). 

 

Edgar Lehr, Juan C. Cusi, Maura I. Fernandez, Ricardo J. Vera and Alessandro Catenazzi. 2023. A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from the Puna of the Otishi National Park in Peru. SALAMANDRA. 59(3); 199-206. 

 facebook.com/MHNUNMSM/posts/700503192113142

www.conservation.org/blog/had-to-be-snake-new-species-gets-famous-name

[Herpetology • 2023] Atractus paulus • A New Species of Groundsnake Genus Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes Dipsadidae) from the Peruvian Andes

 Atractus paulus

Melo-Sampaio & Venegas, 2023

 DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102578

Abstract

Based on an exhaustive revision of external morphological characters we describe a new species of Atractus from the humid montane forest of the Andes of northern Peru, Cajamarca department, occurring at elevations of 1641 to 2161 m. This new species was misidentified as A. gigas in the literature and for more than a decade represented the southernmost record of the that species. In the absence of molecular data and limited by a small sample, we use some underreported characters in the genus Atractus such as the presence of apical pits. Thus, the combination of apical pits as well as other characters mentioned in the literature (i.e., head scutellation and number of subcaudals) distinguishes the Peruvian population from A. gigas, and strongly supports the morphological separation of this taxon from the rest of its congeners.

Key Words: Apical pits, Andes, endemism, morphology, scales, tubercles

Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) view of Atractus paulus holotype CORBIDI 877.

Comparison of holotypes head in lateral, ventral and dorsal views.
A–C Atractus gigas; D–F  Atractus paulus.

 Note the contact of infralabials with chinshield (3 in A. gigas versus 4 in A. paulus).

Atractus paulus sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Atractus paulus can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) smooth dorsal scale rows 17/17/17 with apical pits near cloaca; (2) postoculars two; (3) loreal moderately long, contacting second to fourth supralabials; (4) temporal formula usually 1+2; (5) supralabials eight, fourth and fifth contacting eye; (6) infralabials eight, first four contacting chinshields; (7) maxillary teeth eight; (8) gular scale rows usually four; (9) preventrals four; (10) ventrals 166–167 in females, condition in males unknown; (11) subcaudals 26 in females, condition in males unknown; (12) in preservative, dorsum yellow ochre; (13) ventral surface of body mostly black with scattered inconspicuous cream marks in juveniles, uniform brown in adults; (14) maximum body size 830 mm SVL in females; (15) tail size moderately short in females (9.1–13.6% SVL); (16) midbody diameter 18.0–27.3 mm (Figs 1–3).

Etymology: The species epithet “paulus” is a Latin word being patronym for our friend Paulo Gustavo Homem Passos. Dr. Paulo Passos has described more than 34 Atractus species, approximately one-fifth of the astonishing diversity of this complex genus. The Latin word “Paulus” also means “small” and thus, we also refer to the type series composed only by the holotype and paratype.

 Paulo R. Melo-Sampaio and Pablo J. Venegas. 2023. A New Species of Groundsnake Genus Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from the Peruvian Andes revealed by unequivocal morphological characters. Evolutionary Systematics. 7(2): 257-266. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102578

[Herpetology • 2022] Geophis berillus • A New Species of Snake of the Geophis sieboldi Group (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Estado de México, Mexico

Geophis berillus 

Barragán-Reséndiz, Pavón-Vázquez, Cervantes-Burgos, Trujano-Ortega, Canseco-Márquez & García-Vázquez, 2022

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00011

  Researchgate.net/publication/366293083

Abstract

We describe Geophis berillus sp. nov., a new species of the Geophis sieboldi group based on three specimens from the Valle de Bravo region in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Estado de México, Mexico. The new species differs from all other members of this group by having 17 dorsal scale rows without apical pits, 149 and 151–152 ventrals (in males and females, respectively), and the lower portion of each scale in the first dorsal scale row pale. The new species is allopatric respective to other Geophis species. A phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA (cyt-b) supports the inclusion of G. berillus sp. nov. in the G. sieboldi group and a sister relationship with G. sieboldi, a finding corroborated by morphological evidence.

KEYWORDS: Description, endemic, pine forest, semifossorial, taxonomy, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Geophis berillus sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific name is treated as a noun inapposition and comes from the Latin ‘‘berillus,’’ meaning beryl. This mineral is colorless in its pure form but can attaina wide variety of colors in the presence of impurities. The name references the iridescent shine that is present throughout the otherwise dark body of all known specimensof the new species.

Comparison of Geophis berillus sp. nov. and its sister species, G.sieboldi (in life).
(A) Holotype of G. berillus sp. nov. (MZFC-HE 35651); note the lack of apical pits and pale lower margins of the scales in the firstrow of dorsals.
 (B) Geophis sieboldi (MZFC-HE 27269); note the evidentapical pits and dark lower margins of the scales in the first row of dorsals.  Photo of G. sieboldi by J. Reyes-Velasco. 

Habitat of Geophis berillus sp. nov. at the type locality.

 

Lesly Montserrat Barragán-Reséndiz, Carlos J. Pavón-Vázquez, Romina Itzel Cervantes-Burgos, Marysol Trujano-Ortega, Luis Canseco-Márquez and Uri Omar García-Vázquez. 2022. A New Species of Snake of the Geophis sieboldi Group (Squamata: Dipsadidae) from Estado de México, Mexico. Herpetologica. 78(4); 268-276. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00011

  Researchgate.net/publication/366293083_A_New_Species_of_Geophis_from_Estado_de_Mexico

Describimos a Geophis berillus sp. nov. una nueva especie del grupo Geophis sieboldi con base en tres especímenes de la región de Valle de Bravo en la Faja Volcánica Transmexicana. La nueva especie se diferencia de otros miembros del grupo por poseer 17 hileras de escamas dorsales sin fosas apicales, 149 y 152–153 ventrales (en machos y hembras, respectivamente) y la porción inferior de cada escama en la primera hilera de escamas dorsales clara. La nueva especie es alopátrica con respecto a otras especies de Geophis. Un análisis filogenético basado en DNA mitocondrial (cyt-b) respalda la inclusión de Geophis berillus sp. nov en el grupo G. sieboldi y su relación como grupo hermano de G. sieboldi, lo cual se corrobora con la evidencia morfológica.

[Herpetology • 2023] Dipsas aparatiritos • A New Species of Dipsas (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from central Panama

Dipsas aparatiritos

Ray, Sánchez-Martínez, Batista, Mulcahy, Sheehy, Smith, Pyron & Arteaga, 2023 

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1145.96616

Abstract

A new species of Dipsas Laurenti, 1768, from Central Panama is described based on molecular analyses, hemipenial morphology, and external characters. This is the sixth species of Dipsas to be described for the country; the snake has been suspected to exist since 1977 and has not been thoroughly studied until now. Additionally, morphological comparations including scale counts are done with other species within the genus, and the current geographic distribution of Dipsas temporalis (Werner, 1909), the sister species, is updated. Finally, a key to the species of Dipsas currently known from Middle America is presented.

Keywords: Dipsadini, Dipsas temporalis, new species, phylogeny, snail-eating snake, systematics

Live individual of Dipsas aparatiritos sp. nov. in Parque Nacional General de División Omar Torrijos Herrera photographed in the wild and not collected.

 Photography by Kevin Enge.

Photographs of species of Dipsas previously subsumed under D. temporalis
a Dipsas aparatiritos sp. nov. from Cerro Gaital, Antón, Coclé province, Panama
b D. temporalis ZSFQ 5063 & c D. temporalis ZSFQ 5062 from Durango, Esmeraldas province, Ecuador. 

 Dipsas aparatiritos sp. nov. 

Proposed standard English name: Hidden Snail-eating Snake 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Caracolera Escondida

Diagnosis: Dipsas aparatiritos sp. nov. is placed in the genus Dipsas based on phylogenetic evidence (Fig. 1) and the absence of a labial that is noticeably higher than other labials. The species is diagnosed based on the following combination of characters: (1) 15/15/15 smooth dorsals with enlarged vertebral row (1.5–2.4× as wide as adjacent rows); (2) loreal and a preocular in contact with orbit; (3) 7 supralabials with 4th and 5th contacting orbit, 1st supralabial fused with nasal scale; (4) 8–9 infralabials with 3rd to 6th in contact with chin shields, first pair of infralabials not in contact behind symphysial due to presence of two postmentals; (5) 191–196 ventrals in males, 177–197 in females; (6) 122–136 divided subcaudals in males, 111–126 in females; (7) dorsal and ventral color consisting of 17–20 dark brown to black white-bordered body bands (10–12 dorsal scales long anteriorly to 3–5 dorsal scales long posteriorly) separated from each other by white to pale yellow (anteriorly) to pale brown (posteriorly) interspaces measuring 2–6 dorsal scales long, ventral surfaces white with encroachment from the dorsal dark blotches and with smaller blackish marks in-between the blotches, dorsal aspect of head dark reddish brown with small blotches on the labial and temporal scales as well as a pale nuchal collar, throat white with small dark brown to blackish markings, iris pale brown with minute black speckles; (8) 310–465 mm SVL in males, 169–424 mm females; (9) 122–260 mm TL in males, 65–247 mm in females.

Etymology: The species name is an adjective formed from the Greek word aparatíritos (απαρατήρητος), which means unnoticed. The snake has hidden in plain sight for more than forty years at a very well-studied field site for herpetological research. We suggest the common name “Hidden Snail-eater” (“Caracolera Escondida” in Spanish).

 Julie M. Ray, Paola Sánchez-Martínez, Abel Batista, Daniel G. Mulcahy, Coleman M. Sheehy III, Eric N. Smith, R. Alexander Pyron and Alejandro Arteaga. 2023. A New Species of Dipsas (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from central Panama. ZooKeys. 1145: 131-167.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1145.96616

Resumen: Describimos una nueva especies de Dipsas Laurenti, 1768 de la región central de Panamá en base a análisis moleculares, morfología hemipenial y caracteres de morfología externa. Esta es la sexta especie del género Dipsas descrita para el país. Se sospechaba su existencia desde 1977 pero no había sido estudiada exhaustivamente hasta ahora. Adicionalmente, presentamos comparaciones morfológicas (incluyendo lepidosis) con otras especies del género y actualizamos la distribución geográfica de su especie hermana Dipsas temporalis (Werner, 1909). Finalmente, presentamos una clave para las especies de Dipsas distribuidas en Centroamérica.

[Herpetology • 2023] Sibon canopy, S. vieirai, Dipsas welborni, etc. • A Consolidated Phylogeny of Snail-eating Snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the Description of Five New Species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama

Photographs of some species of Sibon and Dipsas in life 

a Sibon canopy sp. nov. from El Valle de Antón, Coclé province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. holotype from Puerto Indio, Darién province, Panama 

c S. marleyae sp. nov. from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador d S. vieirai sp. nov. from Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Pichincha province, Ecuador 

e Dipsas sp. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama f Dipsas welborni sp. nov. from Vía a Nuevo Paraíso, Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador.

Arteaga & Batista, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601

Abstract

A molecular phylogeny of the Neotropical snail-eating snakes (tribe Dipsadini Bonaparte, 1838) is presented that includes 60 of the 133 species currently recognized. There is morphological and phylogenetic support for four new species of Sibon Fitzinger, 1826 and one of Dipsas Laurenti, 1768, which are described here based on their unique combination of molecular, meristic, and color pattern characteristics. Plesiodipsas Harvey et al., 2008 is designated as a junior synonym of Dipsas and additional evidence is presented to support the transfer of the genus Geophis Wagler, 1830 to the tribe Dipsadini. Two of the subspecies of S. nebulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) are elevated to full species status. Insight into additional undescribed cryptic diversity within the S. nebulatus species complex is provided. Evidence that supports the existence of an undescribed species previously confused with D. temporalis is provided, as well as the first country record of S. ayerbeorum Vera-Pérez, 2019 in Ecuador with a comment on the ontogenetic variation of the latter. Finally, photographs of Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Panamanian snail-eating snakes are provided.

 

Keywords: Caenophidia, Colubroidea, Dipsas, Plesiodipsas, Sibon, Squamata, systematics, taxonomy

Photographs of some species of Sibon in life
a S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. MHCH 3269 from Chucantí Reserve, Darién province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. from Morromico Reserve, Chocó department, Colombia
 c Sibon canopy sp. nov. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama
d, e S. annulatus from Centro Manu, Limón province, Costa Rica f S. ayerbeorum ZSFQ 5066 from Canandé Biological Reserve, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador 
g S. marleyae sp. nov. holotype ZSFQ 5065 h S. marleyae sp. nov. ZSFQ 5068 i S. marleyae sp. nov. neonate from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador.

Photographs of some species of Sibon and Dipsas in life 

a Sibon canopy sp. nov. from El Valle de Antón, Coclé province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. holotype MHCH 3143 from Puerto Indio, Darién province, Panama c S. marleyae sp. nov. from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador d S. vieirai sp. nov. from Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Pichincha province, Ecuador e Dipsas sp. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama f Dipsas welborni sp. nov. ZSFQ 5060 from Vía a Nuevo Paraíso, Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador.

 

 Alejandro Arteaga and Abel Batista. 2023. A Consolidated Phylogeny of Snail-eating Snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the Description of Five New Species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. ZooKeys. 1143: 1-49.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601

 khamai.bio/news/dicaprio_sheth_new_species_snakes.html

 twitter.com/ale_field_lab/status/1618348700304297984 

[Herpetology • 2021] Geophis cansecoi • A New Species of Geophis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Veracruz, Mexico, with Comments on the Validity of Related Taxa

Geophis cansecoi 

Grünwald, Ahumada-Carrillo, Grünwald, Montaño-Ruvalcaba & García-Vázquez, 2021

 Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 15(2); 

Abstract

A new species of the Geophis dubius group is described from the cloud forests in the mountains north of Xalapa, Veracruz. This new species is most similar to G. turbidus and G. lorancai, from which it differs genetically as well as by a very unique color pattern, morphological characters, and habitat use. The validity of G. fuscus, which was described from central Veracruz, is discussed. With the description of the new species and our assessment of G. fuscus, the number of species in the Geophis dubius group increases to 14 and the number of species of Geophis to 52. 

Keywords. Geophis dubius group, Geophis fuscus, Geophis lorancai, Geophis turbidus, montane cloud forest, new species, Sierra de Misantla, Sierra Madre Oriental 

Holotype ofGeophis cansecoi sp. nov. MZFZ 4432 from Los Capulínes, Municipio de Yecuatla, Veracruz, Mexico.
(A) Dorsolateral perspective in life. (B) Lateral perspective in life. 

Paratypes of Geophis cansecoi sp. nov. in life.
 (A–B) MZFZ 4435; (C–D) INIRENA 2812; (E) INIRENA 2814; (F) MZFZ 4434;
 all from the vicinity of Los Capulínes, Municipio de Yecuatla, Veracruz, Mexico.

Geophis cansecoi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A member of the Geophis dubius group, as defned by Downs (1967) and expanded by Wilson and Townsend (2007), and characterized by the following combination of traits: eye relatively small; single supraocular and postocular present on each side (with one exception, see below); no anterior temporal scale, penultimate supralabial and parietal in contact; second infralabials small, broadly separated from each other; mental scale and anterior chinshields in contact; smooth dorsal scales throughout the body arranged in 17 rows; ventrals 134–142 in females (n = 7), and 125–131 in males (n = 7); subcaudals 28–35 in females (n = 7), and 34–37 in males (n = 7), with ventral + subcaudal totals 163–173 in females (n = 7) and 159–165 in males (n = 7); tail length 11.6–16.3% of TotL in females, 16.7–19.0% of TotL in males; dorsal pattern slate gray, with crimson red lateral stripe on each side, usually on frst three or four scale rows but occasionally occupying part of the ffth; venter pale cream, except on the ventral surfaces of the head and throat, which are gray; maxillary teeth 6–8.

...

Distribution, habitat, and ecology. This species appears to be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the type locality in the Sierra de Misantla portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental of Veracruz, Mexico (Fig. 10). It has been collected between 1,550–1,763 m asl in mesic cloud forest. Specimens were found beneath a variety of decomposing logs, trash, and rocks, and also crossing the road at night. All specimens were collected in the month of June. 

Etymology. The specific epithet honors to Luis Canseco-Márquez, a Mexican herpetologist who has dedicated a portion of his career to the study of snakes of the genus Geophis.

 Christoph I. Grünwald, Iván T. Ahumada-Carrillo, André J. Grünwald, Carlos E. Montaño-Ruvalcaba and Uri O. García-Vázquez. 2021. A New Species of Geophis (Dipsadidae) from Veracruz, Mexico, with Comments on the Validity of Related Taxa. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 15(2); Taxonomy Section: 289–310. (e294).  

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Resumen.—Se describe una nueva especie del grupo de Geophis dubius del bosque mesóflo de montaña al norte de Xalapa, Veracruz. Esta nueva especie es mas parecido a G. turbidus y G. lorancai, de cuales se diferencía geneticamente y por su coloración única, carácteres morfológicas y preferencia de hábitat particular. También disuctimos la valídez de G. fuscus, cual también fue descrito del centro de Veracruz. Con la descripción de la nuev especies, y nuestro análisis de G. fuscus, el numero de especies del grupo Geophis dubius se aumenta a 14 y el número de especies de Geophis a 52. 

Palabras clave. Bosque mesóflo de montaña, Geophis fuscus, Geophis lorancai, grupo de Geophis dubius, nueva especie, Sierra de Misantla, Sierra Madre Oriental

[Herpetology • 2021] Tropidodipsas tricolor & T. papavericola • Two New Species of Snail-eating Snakes of the Genus Tropidodipsas (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from southern Mexico, with Notes on Related Species

[upper] Tropidodipsas tricolor & [lower] T. papavericola

Grünwald, Toribio-Jiménez, Montaño-Ruvalcaba, Franz-Chávez, Peñaloza-Montaño, Barrera-Nava, Jones, Rodriguez, Hughes, Strickland & Reyes-Velasco, 2021

 DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e69176

Abstract

We describe two new species of Tropidodipsas related to the T. fasciata species group as defined by Kofron (1987), and provide morphological and molecular data to support the novelty of both species. A partial molecular phylogeny of the Mexican species of snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) is presented, and we discuss evolutionary relationships as supported by our molecular results. We analyze specific relationships of the new species described herein with their closest relatives. We present a distribution map for all species of Tropidodipsas and include photographs of living individuals of each species. Finally, we discuss other taxonomic changes based on our molecular phylogeny as well as conservation priorities of the new species.

Key Words: conservation, cloud forest, Geophis , Guerrero, Oaxaca, pine-oak woodland, Sierra Madre del Sur

Tropidodipsas tricolor sp. nov. 
Holotype (INIRENA 2800) in life

Tropidodipsas tricolor sp. nov. Variation.
Female from Municipio de Leonardo Bravo, Guerrero (A);
Male from Municipio de Leonardo Bravo, Guerrero (B).

Photos A–B by Peter Heimes. 

Tropidodipsas tricolor sp. nov.

  Proposed standard English name: Tricolor Snailsucker 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Caracolera tricolor

 

Diagnosis: Tropidodipsas tricolor sp. nov. is placed in the genus Tropidodipsas based on phylogenetic evidence (Fig. 6). It belongs to the Tropidodipsas fasciata group as defined by Kofron (1987) based on possessing a laterally compressed body, head distinctly wider than neck, protruding eyes of moderate to large diameter, vertebral and paravertebral scales not wider than other dorsal scales, 17 maxillary teeth, 18 dentary teeth, postmental scale absent. The species differs from all described species of Tropidodipsas based on the following combination of characters: (1) 15/15/15 rows of smooth dorsal scales with no enlarged vertebral row; (2) prefrontal broader than long, entering the orbit; (3) loreal square, equally long as high, not entering the orbit; (4) 183 ventral scales in males, 183 in females; (5) 78–79 divided subcaudals in males and 79 in females; (6) 19–22 reddish orange, light-edged bands on body, most with dark brown or black medial stippling, giving the snake a “tricolor” effect; 8 pale bands on tail; (7) ground color black or nearly so; (8) iris chocolate brown; (9) TL/SVL 0.31 in one male specimen, and 0.30 in one female specimen.

Distribution, habitat and ecology: This species appears to be restricted to moderate elevations in Sierra Madre del Sur from central Guerrero to western Oaxaca (Fig. 10). Habitats include cloud forest, mesic pine-oak woodland, tropical evergreen forest, tropical semi-deciduous forest and combinations of those assemblages (Brown et al. 2007). Known from 700–2200 m a.s.l., though most localities are from 1700–2200 m a.s.l. with the exception of the Sierra de Atoyac where it has been found at 700–1000 m a.s.l. in mesic tropical evergreen forest (Fig. 3A). Specimens were found at night on low or medium (1.5–3.0 m) vegetation, or dead on the road.

Etymology: The specific epithet tricolor refers to the tricolor pattern of the black dorsal coloration interspersed by light dorsal bands of cream and reddish orange.

Tropidodipsas papavericola sp. nov.
Holotype (INIRENA 2801) in life. 

Tropidodipsas papavericola sp. nov. Variation.
Male (INIRENA 2804) from Municipio de Técpan de Galeana, Guerrero (A);
Male (INIRENA 2802) from Municipio de Leonardo Bravo, Guerrero (B)

Tropidodipsas papavericola sp. nov.

 Proposed standard English name: Poppyfield Snailsucker 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Caracolera amapolera

  

Diagnosis: Tropidodipsas papavericola sp. nov. is placed in the genus Tropidodipsas based on phylogenetic evidence (Fig. 6). It belongs to the Tropidodipsas fasciata group as defined by Kofron (1987) based on possessing a laterally compressed body, head distinctly wider than neck, protruding eyes of moderate to large diameter, vertebral and paravertebral scales not wider than other dorsal scales, 17 maxillary teeth, 22 dentary teeth, postmental scale absent. The species differs from all described species of Tropidodipsas recognized herein based on the following combination of characters: (1) 15/15/15 rows of smooth dorsal scales with no enlarged vertebral row; (2) prefrontal broader than long, not entering orbit; (3) loreal almost square, slightly longer than broad, not entering orbit; (4) 179–189 ventral scales in males, unknown in females; (5) 69–76 divided subcaudals in males, unknown in females; (6) 25–34 pale bands on body and 10–16 pale bands on tail; (7) 26–36 dark bands on body and 10–16 on tail, irregular with faded pale centers in adult individuals; (8) TL/SVL 0.30–0.35 in males, unknown in females; (9) iris dark chocolate-gray in life.

Distribution, habitat and ecology: This species appears to be restricted to moderate elevations in the Sierra Madre del Sur in central Guerrero in two distinct areas (Fig. 10). Habitats include cloud forest, mesic pine-oak woodland, tropical evergreen forest, tropical semi-deciduous forest and combinations of these assemblages. Known from around 1600–2200 m a.s.l. in the Sierra de Técpan de Galeana, Sierra de Atoyac and above Acapulco, in the foothills in the area encompassed between Acahuizotla and El Treinta. Specimens were found at night during the rainy season on low to medium (1.5–3.0 m) vegetation or crossing the road.

Etymology: The specific epithet papaver + cola refers to the living among poppy plants (genus Papaver) which are illegally planted throughout the range of this species for the extraction of opium gum.

  

   

Christoph I. Grünwald, Sarahi Toribio-Jiménez, Carlos Montaño-Ruvalcaba, Hector Franz-Chávez, Miguel A. Peñaloza-Montaño, Eduardo Y. Barrera-Nava, Jason M. Jones, Christopher M. Rodriguez, India M. Hughes, Jason L. Strickland and Jacobo Reyes-Velasco. 2021. Two New Species of Snail-eating Snakes of the Genus Tropidodipsas (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from southern Mexico, with Notes on Related Species. Herpetozoa. 34: 233-257. DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e69176

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