[Herpetology • 2025] Atractus nemosophis & A. xaxi • A First Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Approach to Sleepyhead Snakes from Venezuela (Dipsadidae: Atractus), with the Description of Two New Andean Species

[H] Atractus xaxi 
[A-F] Atractus nemosophis 

Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Prudente, Bazó, Navarrete, Camargo-Sillet, Ortiz, Correa, Guerrero & Urra, 

in Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Prudente, Bazó, Navarrete, Carmargo-Sillet, Ortiz, Correa, Guerrero et Urra, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-025-00682-1 

Researchgate.net/publication/394217023_A_first_phyloge 

  facebook.com/FernandoRojasRunjaic

Abstract

This study constitutes the first evolutionary investigation that adds Venezuelan species of sleepyhead snakes of the genus Atractus, the most diverse and with the largest number of species with a restricted distribution area above 1000 m asl, whose estimated divergence occurred 21–22 MY. In this context, phylogenetic analyses using a combination of mitochondrial (16S, Cytb, ND4) and nuclear (RAG1, NT3) markers within the framework of maximum likelihood and Bayesian models, as well as morphological and meristic data, support the recognition of two new species that inhabit montane semideciduous forests and cloud forests between 1800 and 2200 m asl: A. nemosophis sp. nov. a polymorphic species related to A. meridensis, instead, A. xaxi sp. nov. exhibits a uniform dorsal pattern very closely with A. mariselae and A. mijaresi, respectively. Finally, we provide new data on the diversity and distribution of the Atractus from the cordillera de Mérida, including a dichotomous key and a novel perception of their conservation status when considered the most diverse and dominant snakes of the Andean Mountain landscapes. Atractus nemosophis sp. nov. and Atractus xaxi sp. nov. should be included in the Vulnerable category according to criteria Ac and B2 (i,ii,iii,iv).

Keywords: Cryptozoic and semifossorial snakes, Northern Andes, Cordillera de Mérida, Montane semideciduous forests and cloud forests, Taxonomy and conservation

Images of Atractus nemosophis sp. nov. in life. Holotype MZUC 47720: dorsal view of the body and head, showing the black vertebral line and a very attenuated light band behind the parietals; ventral view of the body and tail, displaying a reddish pattern with three spots on each scale, forming incomplete longitudinal lines (A–B). MZUC 47729: dorsal view of the body and head, exhibiting a grayish-brown pattern with an interrupted white line between the 1st and 3rd dorsal scale rows and a whitish surface heavily pigmented with black (C–D). MZUC 47726 and MZUC 47718: reddish pattern with a black vertebral line and a strongly pigmented orange belly (E–G). MZUC 47735: olive-brown pattern with a black vertebral line, with supralabials and the ventral surface of the head showing a yellowish hue 
(H). Image of Atractus xaxi sp. nov. in life: head and dorsum of the body entirely black (© Daniel Quihua)

Atractus nemosophis sp. nov. Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Prudente, Bazó, Navarrete, Camargo-Sillet, Ortiz, Correa, Guerrero & Urra.  

Etymology. The specific name is an adjective derived from the Greek words “nemos,” which means forest or wood with pasture for cattle, and ophis m., which means “snake” (Brown, 1956), to refer to the place where it was found, which originally corresponds to a semicaducifolious forest Andean montane (Ataroff & Sarmiento, 2004), but currently they have been transformed, giving rise to new novel landscapes called anthromes (Ellis et al., 2010).

Atractus xaxi sp. nov. Esqueda, Rojas-Runjaic, Prudente, Bazó, Navarrete, Camargo-Sillet, Ortiz, Correa, Guerrero & Urra. 

Etymology. The word “xaxi” is a toponym of the first indigenous settlers of the area (the Chamas tribes) and that, with the arrival of the Spanish people, was transformed morphologically to be known today as “Jají” (Gordones-Rojas & Meneses-Pacheco, 2004). The town is one of the oldest in Mérida state, Venezuela, founded in 1580.

Luis Felipe Esqueda, Fernando J.M. Rojas-Runjaic, Ana Prudente, Santos Bazó, Luis Fernando Navarrete, Edward Carmargo-Sillet, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Claudio Correa, Pablo Guerrero and Félix Urra . 2025. A First Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Approach to Sleepyhead Snakes from Venezuela (Dipsadidae: Atractus), with the Description of Two New Andean Species. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-025-00682-1 [01 August 2025] 

  Researchgate.net/publication/394217023_A_first_phylogenetic_and_taxonomic_approach_to_Atractus_from_Venezuela

  facebook.com/groups/mhnls/permalink/24476601345296834 

Palabras clave: Andes septentrionales, Northern Andes, Cordillera de Mérida, Bosques semicadufolios montanos y bosques nublados, Taxonomía y conservación

[Herpetology • 2024] Atractus dativus, A. muisca, A. uroborus, ... • Taxonomy without Borders: Revision of the Genus Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Andes between Colombia and Venezuela

 

Atractus muisca

Passos, Meneses-Pelayo, Ramos, Martins, Machado, Lopes, Barrio-Amorós & Lynch, 2024 

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-23-00022.1 

https://comunicaciones.UIS.edu.co

Abstract

We review the taxonomy of Atractus species distributed continuously along northeastern portions of the Andes of Colombia (= Eastern Cordillera), Sierra of Perijá on the Colombia–Venezuela border, and Cordillera of Mérida in northwestern Venezuela. We assess the taxonomic status of 29 species names on the basis of congruence between quantitative and qualitative phenotypic characters (pholidosis, morphometrics, color patterns, scales micro-or-namentations, male genitalia, and osteological features) along their entire distribution. Our results support the recognition of 23 species, 6 of which are new to science (5 described herein), through unique morphological diagnostic characters or unique combinations. We propose the synonymy of 14 old and even recently presented names based on the widespread overlap of all morphological character systems analyzed. Taxonomic decisions were made on the light of examination of available type series, geographically representative samples, anatomical preparations or observations, and careful literature review for all taxa recorded in the study area. We provide a dichotomous key for all recognized species along northeastern Andes of Colombia to northwestern Andes of Venezuela. We compare the geographic variation, morphological cohesion, and distribution limits of highland Atractus and contrast them with lowland species. Finally, we discuss the ultimate implication of taxonomic studies delimited by political boundaries or based on geographically restricted samples, especially when such approaches rely extensively on online datasets without critical examination of specimens.

KEYWORDS: Hemipenian and skull morphology, Highland endemism, Linnean shortfall, microdermatoglyphics, morphometry, new species, new synonymies, polychromatism, species delimitation

 Atractus dativus, 

Atractus muisca,

Atractus pearti, 

Atractus tritono,

 Atractus uroborus

Paulo Passos, Elson Meneses-Pelayo, Luciana O. Ramos, Angele R. Martins, Alessandra Machado, Ricardo T. Lopes, César Barrio-Amorós and John D. Lynch. 2024. Taxonomy without Borders: Revision of the Genus Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Andes between Colombia and Venezuela. South American Journal of Herpetology. 32 (sp1); 1-123. DOI: doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-23-00022.1

  facebook.com/CesarBarrioAmoros/posts/1213381326887994

https://comunicaciones.UIS.edu.co/research-reveals-five-new-snake-species-for-science-in-colombias-eastern-cordillera 

New species of the Atractus genus for science

The five new species described in this research work correspond to snake populations distributed in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, covering the departments of Boyacá, Santander, Norte de Santander, Cesar and La Guajira.

The first species, Atractus dativus, is known only from one locality in Boyacá, located between the municipalities of Soatá and Susacón. Its name, dativus, is a Latin adjective that alludes to the act of providing or offering something to someone. This term refers to the popular Colombian expression “God will provide”.

The second species, Atractus muisca, is found mainly in the department of Santander, in municipalities such as Floridablanca, Málaga, Charalá and Encino, on the border with Boyacá. Its name, Muisca, pays homage to the pre-Columbian civilization that inhabited the highlands of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. The Muiscas were a remarkable example of an egalitarian and sustainable society. Their caciques, wise administrators, implemented a system of social redistribution that complemented economic exchange. Through tribute, they retained productive surpluses and redistributed a part among the population through a common consumption fund.

The third species, Atractus pearti, inhabits the middle and highlands of the Serranía del Perijá, between the departments of Cesar and La Guajira. Its name pays homage to Neil Peart (1952-2020), iconic drummer and lyricist of the progressive rock band Rush.

The fourth species, Atractus tritono, is a species found in the municipalities of Chitagá, Pamplona and Toledo, Norte de Santander, at altitudes between 1700 and 2500 meters above sea level. The name of this species “tritone” refers to an interval between peaks of two musical notes that has exactly three whole tones.

The fifth and last species, Atractus uroborus, inhabits only the highlands of the Serranía de los Yariguíes between the municipalities of Zapatoca and El Carmen de Chucurí. The name of this species corresponds to an ancient symbol that shows a snake biting its tail, a symbol used in Greek mythology and Egyptian culture. The uroborus is often interpreted as eternal renewal of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

This work highlights the crucial role of scientific research in protecting and understanding biodiversity in one of the most diverse areas of the planet.

Se revisó la taxonomía de las especies de Atractus distribuidas continuamente a lo largo de los Andes nororientales de Colombia (= Cordillera Oriental), Sierra de Perijá en el límite Colombia-Venezuela y Cordillera de Mérida en el noroeste de Venezuela. Se evaluó la posición taxonómica de 29 nombres de especies a través de la congruencia entre caracteres fenotípicos cuantitativos y cualitativos (folidosis, morfometría, patrones de color, micro-ornamentaciones de escamas, genitales masculinos y características osteológicas), a lo largo de toda su distribución. Nuestros resultados apoyan el reconocimiento de 23 especies, 6 de estas nuevas para la ciencia (5 descritas aquí), por medio de caracteres diagnósticos únicos o una combinación exclusiva de estas características. La sinonimia de 14 nombres antiguos y algunos presentados recientemente ha sido basada en la amplia superposición de todos los sistemas de caracteres morfológicos analizados. Se tomaron decisiones taxonómicas a la luz del examen de las series de tipos disponibles, muestras geográficamente representativas, preparaciones o observaciones anatómicas y revisión cuidadosa de la literatura para todos los taxones registrados en el área de estudio. Se presenta una clave dicotómica para todas las especies reconocidas a lo largo de los Andes nororientales de Colombia hasta los Andes noroccidentales de Venezuela. Se comparó la variación geográfica, la cohesión morfológica y los límites de distribución para los Atractus de las tierras altas en contraste con las especies de las tierras bajas. Por último, se discute la implicación de estudios de orientación taxonómica delimitados por fronteras políticas o aquellos basados en muestras geográficamente restringidas, especialmente cuando este enfoque se beneficia ampliamente solo de los conjuntos de datos en línea, sin examen crítico de especímenes.

[Herpetology • 2025] Tachymenoides goodallae • A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from Peru with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Galvarinus tarmensis (Walker, 1945)

 

Tachymenoides goodallae 

 Lehr, Lundberg, Cusi, Sites, Torres & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2025.

Goodall’s Slender Snake  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020018 

Abstract

We describe a new species of snake of the genus Tachymenoides using molecular and morphological evidence. The description is based on 21 specimens (4 females, 17 males) obtained in the regions of Pasco, Junín, and Puno between 2190 and 3050 m elevation. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree based on two mitochondrial (12S and cyt-b) genes and one nuclear (c-mos) gene shows that the new species is the sister taxon of T. affinis and distinct from Galvarinus tarmensis, which we transfer back to Tachymenis. The new species has smooth dorsal scales without apical pits usually in 19/17/15 series, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, 1 loreal undivided nasal scale, 8 supralabials (4th and 5th in contact with the eye), 9 infralabials, 1–2+2–3 temporals, 139–157 ventrals, 52–67 subcaudals, and a divided cloacal scale. The longest specimen, a male, had a total length of 559 mm. Two females contained six and five eggs with small embryos. In life, the dorsum and flanks are olive brown to pale grayish brown with scattered black and cream flecks and no longitudinal stripes. Ventral coloration is highly variable, nearly uniformly black, mottled gray and dark-gray, mottled pale gray and tan, or pale grayish tan. Usually, three irregularly shaped, narrow, longitudinal ventral stripes are present. The iris is brown with a distinct yellowish-tan ringlet.

Keywords: Squamata; reptiles; snakes; Andes; Pasco region; Junín region; Puno region; Tachymenis tarmensis

 

 Living holotype of Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. (MUSM 31152) in dorsolateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral views (C). Total length of the snake is 524 mm.

 Photos by Edgar Lehr.

 Head of the living holotype of  Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. (MUSM 31152) in lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views. The head length is 13.8 mm.

Photos by Edgar Lehr.

 Family Dipsadidae Bonaparte, 1838 

Tribe Tachymenini Bailey, 1967 

Genus Tachymenoides Trevine et al., 2022 

Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. 

Lehr, Lundberg, Cusi, Sites, Torres and Aguilar-Puntriano, 2025.

 

Galvarinus tarmensis in Trevine et al. [2022].

Thamnodynastes sp. in Lehr et al. [2019].

Diagnosis: Usually 1 preocular, 10 maxillary teeth; 9 dentary teeth; dorsal scale rows smooth in 19/17/15 series; dorsal scales lacking apical pits; 140–157 ventrals in males (n = 17), 139–142 ventrals in females (n = 4); 52–67 paired subcaudals in males (n = 17), 52–56 paired subcaudals in females (n = 4); hemipenes with pronounced and deep spinulate calyces on the base of capitulum and distal portion of hemipenial body, extending onto half of the body on the asulcate side with the first proximal row of calyces distinctly larger, containing 9 calyces; in real life, the dorsum and flanks are olive brown to pale grayish brown with scattered black and cream flecks and no longitudinal stripes; the flanks are olive brown, dark brown, or dark gray, and darker than the dorsum toward the posterior body end; the head is laterally pale grayish brown or cream with a dark-brown lateral stripe from the nose to postoculars and diagonally to corner of the mouth, and contrasting dark-brown flecks on the cream supralabials and infralabials; the iris is brown with a distinct yellowish-tan ringlet; the ventral coloration is highly variable: nearly uniformly black, gray, and mottled dark gray; pale gray and mottled tan; or pale grayish tan; and usually, three irregularly shaped, narrow, longitudinal ventral stripes are present (one midventral and one ventrolateral on each side).

Life specimens of Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov.
 (A): male (MUSM 23485, total length 534 mm) from Chacos (Pasco); (B): female (MUSM 23470) from Ingenio (Junín);
(C): male (MUSM 17813, total length 511 mm) between Auquimarca and Uchuerta (Pasco); (D): female (uncollected, total length 670 mm) from Auquimarca (Pasco);
(E): female (uncollected, total length 430 mm) from Auquimarca (Pasco); (F): male (ML 446, total length 410 mm) from Puagmaray (Pasco).

Photos by Mikael Lundberg.

Etymology: We dedicate this species to ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall for her scientific accomplishments and worldwide conservation activism, which inspire and encourage people to protect biodiversity. The English Common Name is Goodall’s Slender Snake.

  

 Edgar Lehr, Mikael Lundberg, Juan Carlos Cusi, Jack W. Sites, Jr., Claudia Torres and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2025. A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from Peru with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Galvarinus tarmensis (Walker, 1945). Taxonomy. 2025, 5(2), 18; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020018 [2 April 2025]

  

[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.