Systematic Status of the Colubrid Snake, Leptodeira discolor Günther

Systematic Status of the Colubrid Snake, Leptodeira discolor Günther

At the time of completing my study of the genus Leptodeira (1958) I had seen no specimens of Leptodeira discolor, a species described by Gnther in 1860 and subsequently referred to the genus Hypsiglena by Cope (1887), Boulenger (1894), and Mocquard (1908), and to the genus Pseudoleptodeira by Taylor (1938). Gnther's description was based on two syntypes (British Museum of Natural History numbers 1946.1.23.67 and 68) collected in Oaxaca, Mxico, by Auguste Sall. Information concerning the scutellation and coloration of the syntypes was provided by J. C. Battersby; in my revisionary study (op. cit.) this information was included in a short discussion of the species, which was referred to incerta sedis until specimens could be examined and the relationships of the species determined. Through the courtesy of John M. Legler of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, I have been able to study a specimen of Leptodeira discolor obtained six miles southeast of Tamazulpam, Oaxaca, Mxico, by J. R. Alcorn on June 22, 1955. Superficial examination of the external characters of this snake shows a striking resemblance to Leptodeira. The specimen has a vertical pupil, divided anal, 21 scale rows, and two apical pits. The enlarged posterior maxillary teeth are without a trace of a groove. Examination of the hemipenis revealed that the organ was bifurcate and had a forked sulcus; these penial characteristics are diagnostic of the subfamily Xenodontinae and not the subfamily Colubrinae that includes the genera Hypsiglena and Leptodeira. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 34954
Author: Duellman, William Edward
Release Date: Jan 14, 2011
Format: eBook
Language: English