[Botany • 2021] Rediscovery and Expansion of the Distribution of Phyllanthus itatiaiensis Brade (Phyllanthaceae) in southeastern Brazil

 Phyllanthus itatiaiensis Brade, 

in Mendes, Athiê-Souza, Ribeiro, Gomes, Carrijo et Sales, 2021.  

 DOI: 10.15560/17.2.695 

Researchgate.net/publication/351054563

Abstract

We report here the rediscovery of Phyllanthus itatiaiensis Brade (Phyllanthaceae) after 50 years, as well as its occurrence in Minas Gerais State in southeastern Brazil. We provide a taxonomic diagnosis, in situ photographs, a distribution map, and a reassessment of its conservation status, which will contribute to our knowledge of this rare and endemic species as well as our ability to protect it.

Keywords: Atlantic domain, Biodiversity hotspot, Endemism, Phyllanthus subsect. Clausseniani, Southeastern Brazil, Taxonomy

 Phyllanthus itatiaiensis.
A, B. Habitat, with emphasis on the Pedra do Altar rock formation. C, D. Habitat. E. Staminate flower. F. Pistillate flower and fruits.

Photographs: Caio Baez (A, B); J. Külkamp (C-F).

 Jone Clebson Ribeiro Mendes, Sarah Maria Athiê-Souza, Rayane de Tasso Moreira Ribeiro, Caio Baez Gomes, Tatiana Tavares Carrijo and Margareth Ferreira de Sales. 2021. Rediscovery and Expansion of the Distribution of Phyllanthus itatiaiensis Brade (Phyllanthaceae) in southeastern Brazil. Check List. 17(2): 695-700. DOI: 10.15560/17.2.695

 Researchgate.net/publication/351054563_Rediscovery_of_Phyllanthus_itatiaiensis_Brazil

[Herpetology • 2019] Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908) • Range Extension of the Rare Agamid (Sauria, Draconinae) in the East Himalaya, with Comments on Its Ontogenetic Shift

Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908)

in Wang, Ci, Jiang, et al., 2019.

 Abhor Hills Agama  || DOI: 10.15560/15.3.425

Abstract

Despite its recognition since the early 1900s, the agamid lizard Pseudocalotes austeniana remains known based on 3 vouchered specimens only from the East Himalaya, and little is known about its general biology. During herpetological surveys of Tibet, China, we collected 3 specimens of P. austeniana from Medog County, southeastern Tibet, including the first juvenile specimen ever vouchered. We provide a detailed description based on new material of this enigmatic species, report on a range extension of 400 km northeastward from its type locality, its ontogenetic shift, and clutch size.

Keywords: Agamidae, Himalaya, Mictopholis, Salea, synonym

Figure 2. Adult female Pseudocalotes austeniana (KIZ 013873) in life.
A. Dorsolateral view of body. B. Ventral view of body. C. Lateral, close-up view of head. D. Dorsal, close-up view of body. Photographs by Kai Wang.

Figure 3. Photographed individuals of Pseudocalotes austeniana (not vouchered) in Medog County, Nyinchi Prefecture, Tibet, China. 

A. Dorsal view of an adult female from 62K, Medog. B. Lateral view of the same adult female from 62K, Medog. C. Juvenile from Hanmi, Medog. 

Photographs by Chao Wu and Zheng Shi.

Figure 5. Eggs of Pseudocalotes austeniana (produced by the vouchered female TMNH 20170001). 

Photograph by Shiyang Weng.

    

 Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908)

 Salea austeniana 

Identification. The recently collected adult and juvenile specimens from Tibet resemble closely the pholidosis characteristics of the vouchered holotype and topotypic specimen of Pseudocalotes austeniana (Table 1). In summary, these specimens are identified as P. austeniana based on the following morphological characters (following Mahony 2010): (1) tympanum exposed; (2) sub-ocular scale row singular, or multiple but one distinctively enlarged; (3) head robust, HW/HL > 59.7%, HD/HW > 72%, HD/HL > 43%; (4) distinct, strongly-developed cranial ridges present on dorsal and lateral surfaces of occipital region of head, forming rectangular, convex areas on temporal region of head and triangular concave area on posterior lateral region of head; (6) postorbital and postoccipital spines absent; (7) nuchal crest in triangular shape or short lanceolate shape, not strongly differentiated from dorsal crests; (8) mid-dorsal scale count less than 39; (9) longitudinal gular fold present, highly developed in dewlap, with a distinct, pointy tip toward posterior end; (10) transverse gular fold absent; (11) dorsal scales heterogeneous in size and shape, flat, feebly keeled or smooth, arranged irregularly in most parts, some enlarged ones in approximate transverse rows; (12) enlarged scales of dorsum not arranged into clear dorsolateral or V-shaped rows; (13) ventral body scales smooth or feebly keeled, larger than background dorsal scales, distinctively heterogeneous in size and shape, irregularly arranged; (14) antehumeral fold present; and (15) axillary fold present.

...

Figure 3. Photographed individuals of Pseudocalotes austeniana (not vouchered) in Medog County, Nyinchi Prefecture, Tibet, China.
A. Dorsal view of an adult female from 62K, Medog. B. Lateral view of the same adult female from 62K, Medog. C. Juvenile from Hanmi, Medog. Photographs by Chao Wu and Zheng Shi.

Distribution range. Prior to our observations of Pseudocalotes austeniana in the field, the species was thought to be a rare endemic to the southern parts of Southern Tibet (Mahony 2010, Venugopal 2010, 2013), and the species was not officially listed as a member of the Chinese herpetofauna (Zhao and Jiang 1977, Zhao and Adler 1993, Zhao et al. 1999, Cai et al. 2015). However, the newly discovered populations represent a range expansion of about 400 km northeastward from the species’ previous range limits in the East Himalaya. Given the recognized habitat connectivity and similar environment spanning this region, it is likely that P. austeniana is currently, or once was, distributed continuously across this area. Future survey efforts for this species should focus on habitat to the west in Bhutan. Additional studies of this enigmatic and secretive lizard are needed to better understand its ecology, population densities, and full geographic distribution.

 Kai Wang, Ping Ci, Ke Jiang, Shiyang Weng, Cameron D. Siler and Jing Che. 2019. Range Extension of the Rare Agamid, Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908) (Reptilia, Sauria, Draconinae) in the East Himalaya, with Comments on Its Ontogenetic Shift. Check List. 15(3); 425-433.  DOI: 10.15560/15.3.425

[Botany • 2018] Telipogon jucusbambae • the Rediscovery of A Marvelous Telipogon (Orchidaceae) from Peru

Telipogon jucusbambae Dodson & R.Escobar

in Martel & Salas, 2018. 

  DOI: 10.15560/14.1.189 

Abstract

Telipogon jucusbambae, a Peruvian endemic species, is rediscovered and its distributional range greatly extended. The species was known from a single collection made more than 50 years ago. A description, images of living specimens, a distribution map, and taxonomic comments on related species are provided. Furthermore, we propose the T. falcatus species complex for a group of species closely related to T. jucusbambae.

Keywords: Type collection; endemic species; distributional range extension; Telipogon falcatus species complex

 Telipogon jucusbambae. A. A tree full with plants in bloom; note the flowers are non-resupinate independent of the orientation of the inflorescence, from the Cordillera Yasgolga, Department of Amazonas. B. Details of the flower showing the black callus-like structure.

 Telipogon jucusbambae. A. Habit. B. Flower, frontal view. C. Dissected perianth, frontal view. D. lip, frontal and side view. E. Column, frontal and side view. F. Anther cap. G. Pollinarium, frontal and side view.  

Telipogon jucusbambae Dodson & R.Escobar, Orquideología 21: 65. 1998.

Local Names. The species is known in Cajamarca as ushun (Santa Cruz 2011).

Distribution, habitat and ecology. Telipogon jucusbambae is endemic to Peru, growing in the Andean cloud forest of northern and central Peru from 2800 to 3300 m. The species was formerly known from the surroundings of Jucusbamba town, Department of San Martín. Herbarium and photographic material of plants coming from the Departments of Amazonas, Cajamarca, Huánuco and Pasco were recently identified as T. jucusbambae (Fig. 3). These records widely expand the known distribution range of the species. The present reports extend its distribution by nearly 200 and 300 linear km northward and southward, respectively, from Amazonas to Pasco Departments. Telipogon jucusbambae blooms during the dry season (May to October, includes austral autumn and winter). Pollination would be also carried out by tachinid male flies as already shown for other Telipogon species (Martel et al. 2016). The species seems to have a high reproductive success, as seed pods were frequently observed in the natural populations.

 Carlos Martel and Marcos Salas. 2018. Telipogon jucusbambae (Orchidaceae), the Rediscovery of A Marvelous Telipogon from Peru.  Check List. 14(1): 189-193.  DOI: 10.15560/14.1.189

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=884085425038602

   

[Herpetology • 2017] Extension of the Geographical Distribution of Schneider’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus trigonatus (Schneider, 1801) (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae), in the Amazon–Cerrado Transition, Brazil

Male Paleosuchus trigonatus captured in Claro River

(Campos, Muniz & Magnusson, 2017) 

 DOI:  10.15560/13.4.91

Abstract

We present new records of occurrence of Schneider’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus trigonatus and extend its geographical distribution. Eight individuals were caught in the following locations: Sangue River, in the municipality of Campo Novo dos Parecis, Claro River and Marapi River, in the municipality of São José do Rio Claro, and tributaries of the Juruena River, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. These records extend the geographical distribution of the species nearly 500 km south of the limit given in published range maps.

Keywords: New records; conservation; Paleosuchus; Mato Grosso; Brazilian Amazon

Figure 1. Male specimen of Paleosuchus trigonatus captured in Claro River, showing some diagnostic characters.
A. General view of the body. B. Head shape. C. Arrow indicates the two scales of the sacral region. D. Post-occipital region.

Figure 3. New records of the geographic distribution of Paleosuchus trigonatus in the Sangue, Claro, Marapi and Alegre rivers in the Cerrado biome, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Triangle = 8 individuals captured; inverted triangle = 3 individuals observed and not captured.

 Zilca Campos, Fábio Muniz and William E Magnusson. 2017. Extension of the Geographical Distribution of Schneider’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus trigonatus (Schneider, 1801) (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae), in the Amazon–Cerrado Transition, Brazil.
 Check List. 13(4); 91-94.  DOI:  10.15560/13.4.91

ResearchGate.net/publication/318417116_Extension_of_the_geographical_distribution_of_Schneider's_Dwarf_Caiman_Paleosuchus_trigonatus_Schneider_1801_Crocodylia_Alligatoridae_in_the_Amazon-Cerrado_transition_Brazil

[Herpetology • 2017] Checklist of Chelonians from the upper Madeira River and the lower Madeira-Purus interfluvium (Brazilian Amazon), including A Range Expansion for Podocnemis sextuberculata Cornalia, 1849

CD-02. Chelonoidis denticulata.

MR-07. Mesoclemmys raniceps.             CF-01. Chelus fimbriatus.
PE-04. Podocnemis expansa.              PP-04. Platemys platycephala.

Chelonians from the upper Madeira River and the lower Madeira-Purus interfluvium (Brazilian Amazon

Keller, Villamarín, Bernhard & da Silva, 2017. 

 (photos: R. Bernard, F. Villamarín & C. Keller) DOI: 10.15560/12.4.1937 

Abstract

We present data on occurrence of chelonians for the Madeira River (southwestern Amazon, Brazil). Sampling was undertaken along the BR-319 Highway in the Madeira-Purus interfluvium and along a 125‑km stretch of the upper Madeira River. Findings were contrasted with a checklist of species expected to occur in the region according to current distribution maps, and with literature data for the Madeira subbasin. Out of 12 expected species, we recorded five in the Madeira-Purus interfluvium (three other species were registered by other recent voucher-based studies in the region), and eight species in the upper Madeira region. Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812) and P. unifilis Troschel, 1848 occurred below and inbetween the upper Madeira rapids. Podocnemis sextuberculata Cornalia, 1849 had its range extended by over 700 km, but may be limited upriver by the rapids. Mesoclemmys gibba (Schweigger, 1812) and M. raniceps Gray, 1855 occurred sympatrically along the river. Chelonian diversity along the lower and upper Madeira appears to be complementary.

Keywords: Chelonoidis; Chelus; conservation monitoring; Neotropics; Platemys; river dams

MR-01. Mesoclemmys raniceps (photos: Francisco Villamarín).

PE-04. Podocnemis expansa (photos: Claudia Keller).

PS-02. Podocnemis sextuberculata (photos: Claudia Keller).

Claudia Keller, Francisco Villamarín, Rafael Bernhard and Daniely Félix da Silva. 2017. Checklist of Chelonians from the upper Madeira River and the lower Madeira-Purus interfluvium (Brazilian Amazon), including A Range Expansion for Podocnemis sextuberculata Cornalia, 1849.
 Check List. 12(4); 1937-1941.  DOI: 10.15560/12.4.1937

[Herpetology • 2015] Herpetofauna of Gunung Tebu • First Report on the Amphibians and Reptiles of A Remote Mountain, Gunung Tebu in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT 

This is the first herpetological survey and checklist of the Mount Tebu (Gunung Tebu) region including the upland areas of Gunung Tebu, the surrounding lowlands of Hutan Lipur Lata Belatan, and the nearby lowland region of Hutan Lipur Lata Tembaka in Terrengganu, northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. Expanding upon the only previous herpetological survey in this region from Gunung Lawit (Dring 1979), we record a total of 106 species including 43 species previously unknown from this portion of Peninsular Malaysia.

Keywords: Southeast Asia; Banjaran Timur; conservation

Alexandra X. Sumarli, L. Lee Grismer, Shahrul Anuar, Mohd Abdul Muin, Evan S.H. Quah. 2015. First Report on the Amphibians and Reptiles of A Remote Mountain, Gunung Tebu in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. Check List. 11(4): 1679. DOI: 10.15560/11.4.1679

ResearchGate.net/publication/278487376_First_report_on_the_amphibians_and_reptiles_of_a_remote_mountain_Gunung_Tebu_in_northeastern_Peninsular_Malaysia

[Botany / Ecology • 2014] True Mangrove Species of Sundarbans Delta, West Bengal, Eastern India

Figure 4. The mangrove forest of Indian Sundarbans, showing the woody nature of the true mangrove plants.
Figure 5. Representative images of adaptive features for true mangroves in Indian Sundarbans:
 (d) Pneumatophores in Avicennia officinalis, (e) Knee roots in Xylocarpus mekongensis, (f) Stilt roots in Rhizophora mucronata

Abstract

 Varied opinions exist as to the species composition and ecological distinction of mangrove habitats of the Indian Sundarbans. Furthermore, distinction of true or major mangroves from mangrove-associate and minor species was left unresolved by past authors. The present study thus aimed to revise a species list of true mangroves in the Indian Sundarbans delta. An indexing of adaptive morpho-physiological characters of mangroves for the tidal-saline environment was conducted. The analysis illustrated 24 species of true mangroves in Indian Sundarbans, belonging to nine families. Of these, Rhizophoraceae showed maximum richness at each of the generic and specific categories assessed. The current study has highlighted the taxonomic richness and status of true mangrove from Indian Sundarbans, resolving the long debated distinction of true from minor and associate mangroves. 

Barik, J.; S. Chowdhury. 2014. True Mangrove Species of Sundarbans Delta, West Bengal, Eastern India. Check List. 10(2):329-334.

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?SL137-13

[Herpetology • 2011] ตุกแกบินลายสามแถบ Ptychozoon trinotaterra Brown, 1999 (Squamata; Gekkonidae): Rediscovery in Thailand

Abstract

The parachute gecko Ptychozoon trinotaterra, known so far only from its type series which includes specimens from two geographically distant localities in northeastern Thailand and central Vietnam, has been rediscovered in Thailand. The morphological observations made on the new specimens confirm that the Vietnamese and Thai populations are conspecific.

Kirati Kunya, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Pitak Sairum and Apirat Taokratok. 2011. Squamata, Gekkonidae, Ptychozoon trinotaterra Brown, 1999: Rediscovery in Thailand. Check List. 7(6); 820-822

http://checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD020-11

Brown, R. M. 1999. New species of parachute gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Genus Ptychozoon) from northeastern Thailand and central Vietnam. Copeia 1999(4): 990-1001. http://jstor.org/stable/1447974

[Mammalogy • 2013] First record of Abrothrix jelskii (Thomas, 1894) (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Salta province, northwestern Argentina: Filling Gaps and Distribution Map

Abstract

 Abrothrix jelskii is one of the lesser-known species in the genus Abrothrix, and it has only been recorded in a few localities in highland environments along the central Andean range. In Argentina, existing records are restricted to just one locality in Jujuy province. We have recently recorded this species in Salta Province, extending its known distribution 150 km northward in northwestern Argentina and 175 km further to the southeast compared to existing records from localities in southern Bolivia. Ten other rodent species were also recorded in the same area, with some of these records, such as those for Auliscomys sublimis, Akodon boliviensis, and Phyllotis sp., being noteworthy as well.

J. Pablo Jayat, Pablo E. Ortiz and F. Rodrigo González. 2013. First record of Abrothrix jelskii (Thomas, 1894) (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Salta province, northwestern Argentina: Filling Gaps and Distribution Map. Check List. 9(4): 902–905 

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD195-12

[Mammalogy • 2013] Neusticomys monticolus (Anthony, 1921) (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae): Noteworthy records of the Montane Fish-Eating Rat in Colombia

Abstract

We document the presence of the Montane Fish-eating Rat, Neusticomys monticolus, in two páramo ecosystems of the Colombian Andes, in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca at 3558 and 3300 m respectively. For small mammals, páramo ecosystems are underexplored zones in a biogeographic context.

 Jorge Horacio Velandia-Perilla and Carlos Arturo Saavedra-Rodríguez. 2013. Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae, Neusticomys monticolus (Anthony, 1921): Noteworthy records of the Montane Fish-Eating Rat in Colombia. Check List. 9(3): 686–688. http://checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD205-12

[Herpetology • 2011] Quasipaa fasciculispina • Distribution extended southward to Trat Province, eastern Thailand

Figure 1. Life photographs of Quasipaa fasciculispina.
Upper (Khlong Kreua Wai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chanthaburi Province); bottom left (Huay Khao Plu, Muang Trat District, Trat Province); and bottom right (cluster of spines on chest and breast of adult male in breeding season).

Abstract

 The current work presents a new locality for Quasipaa fasciculispina (Inger, 1970) documenting the first provincial record based on voucher specimens for Trat Province (eastern Thailand). Its geographical distribution is reviewed and a recent distribution map in Thailand is presented.

Figure 1. Life photographs of Quasipaa fasciculispina.
Upper left (Khlong Kreua Wai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chanthaburi Province); bottom left (Huay Khao Plu, Muang Trat District, Trat Province); and right (cluster of spines on chest and breast of adult male in breeding season), with distribution map.

Prior to this study, the distribution of Quasipaa fasciculispina in Thailand was reported from the provinces of • Chanthaburi [Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park (Forest Biology Department unpublished data), Khao Kitchakut National Park (Noikotr and Lauhachinda 2002; Chan-ard 2003; Nabhitabhata et al. 2004; Inthara et al. 2005; Nabhitabhata and Chan-ard 2005), Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park (Danaisawat et al. 2010), Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary (Inger 1970; Chan-ard 2003; Nabhitabhata et al. 2004; Nabhitabhata and Chan-ard 2005; Inthara et al. 2009), and Namtok Phliew Naitonal Park (Chan-ard 2003, as Khao Sra Baab )] and • Trat [Bo Rai District (Inthara et al. 2005)].

The locality lying southward from the type locality (Khao Soi Dao) is “Khao Sra Baab” according to Chan-ard (2003), but neither voucher specimens nor photographs are provided in this work. Although Chan-ard (2003) provides a live photo of this species, the photograph did not provide the locality of the frog. A herpetological study in Namtok Phliew National Park was recently conducted by Narongrit Sukprakarn, but the research failed to document Q. fasciculispina in the national park (see Sukprakarn and Nabhitabhata 2003). Moreover, the distribution in Thailand is usually claimed to range from eastern Thailand extending to the Cardamom Mountains in western Cambodia (see Chan-ard 2003). However, the record indicates that the occurrence of this species in Trat Province was in Inthara et al. (2005). Unfortunately, they did not refer to voucher specimens. Although several studies were conducted in Trat Province (e.g., Smith and Kloss 1915; Taylor and Elbel 1958; Taylor 1962; Ha-Ngam et al. 2006) unfortunately, they failed to document Q. fasciculispina.

Therefore, the current work documents the first provincial record (based on voucher specimens) for the province, and its geographical distribution of the species in Thailand is now extended southward to Trat Province. The collected site is ca. 150 km southeastern from the type locality (Figure 2). The area is a secondary forest which was been previously logged.

...................

The global and local status of Quasipaa fasciculispina have the same VU evaluation according to two published works (Nabhitabhata and Chan-ard 2005; Stuart et al. 2008) and IUCN (2010). The species is protected under the WARPA law of Thailand. The species is found in protected areas (such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries etc.) where there is strong enforcement to its conservation. However, illegal consumption still occurs and more intensive conservation strategies are needed. Further study is needed to explore the distribution range in neighboring areas. Probably additional undiscovered populations exist in the streams of a small range of mountains along the Thai-Cambodian border and also in the mountain on an island such as Koh Chang (southwestern of locality 5 in Figure 2). Other disciplines are recommended to further research: exploitation pressure, status evaluation, and frog propagation.

Yodchaiy Chuaynkern, Prateep Duengkae, Pongpitak Sribandit, Komsan Bunchornratana, Chantip Chuaynkern, Nont Khewwan and Sawang Tipayanukul. 2011. Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae, Quasipaa fasciculispina (Inger, 1970): Distribution extension. Check List. 7(2). 114-116. 

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD148-10

[Herpetology • 2013] Range extension of Rhacophorus dulitensis Boulenger, 1892 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in western Sarawak, Borneo

Figure 2. Female Rhacophorus dulitensis (NMBE 1056708)
from Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (western Borneo).

Abstract

 We report on a record of Rhacophorus dulitensis from Kubah National Park in western Sarawak. The new record extends the known geographical range of the species 300 km to the west.

________________

Rhacophorus dulitensis is endemic to Borneo, the largest of the Southeast Asian Greater Sunda Islands, where it occurs in primary lowland forest at elevations below 600 m a.s.l. (Harvey et al. 2002; Malkmus et al. 2002). Although not a rare species, it is seldom encountered because it lives in the canopy layer of forests and only descends to lower vegetation in order to breed (Dehling 2011). 

Rhacophorus dulitensis has a scattered distribution in central and northern Borneo. Originally described from Mt. Dulit in eastern Sarawak (3°25’ N, 114°00’ E), it has since been recorded from several localities in central and eastern Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, and East Kalimantan (Boulenger 1892; Inger et al. 2004; Inger and Stuebing 2005; Das 2007; Figure 1).

.......................

J. Maximilian Dehling and D. Matthias Dehling. 2013. Range extension of Rhacophorus dulitensis Boulenger, 1892 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) in western Borneo. Check List. 9(2): 425–426.

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD238-11

[Herpetology • 2012] Imantodes chocoensis | Chocoan blunt-headed vine snake • A new species of blunt-headed vine snake (Colubridae: Dipsadinae, Imantodes) from the Chocó region of Ecuador

Chocoan blunt-headed vine snakes | Cordoncillos del Chocó 
Imantodes chocoensis Torres-Carvajal, Yánez-Muñoz, Quirola, Smith & Almendáriz 2012 
Photo by Omar Torres-Carvajal

Abstract 

We describe a new species of Imantodes from the Chocó region of northwestern Ecuador. The new species differs most significantly from all other congeners in lacking a loreal scale. We analyze the phylogenetic relationships among species of Imantodes based on two mitochondrial genes, and postulate that the new species and Imantodes lentiferus are sister taxa. A key to the species of Imantodes from Ecuador is presented. 

Keywords: Chocó, Dipsadinae, Ecuador, Imantodes, snakes, systematics

Etymology. The specific epithet chocoensis is an adjective derived from Chocó, the very humid tropical region comprising the Pacific coast of northern Ecuador, Colombia and Panama (Morrone 2001). This region is part of the 274, 597 sq.km. Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot as defined by Conservation International, which includes more than 320 species of reptiles.

Distribution and ecology. Imantodes chocoensis inhabits Chocoan rainforests on the Pacific coast in northern Ecuador (Fig. 6). It occurs in lowland evergreen forest (Cerón et al. 1999) at elevations of 115–260 m in the provinces of Carchi and Esmeraldas. This new species has been collected in sympatry with Imantodes cenchoa in Esmeraldas, and most likely also shares its distribution with Imantodes inornatus. Other colubrid snakes collected in Tobar Donoso (Carchi) are Chironius grandisquamis, Clelia clelia, Dendrophidion clarkii, Leptophis ahaetulla, Mastigodryas sp., Ninia atrata, Oxyrhopus petola, Pseustes shropshirei, Sibon nebulatus, Synophis bicolor, Tantilla melanocephala, and Xenodon rabdocephalus. The known localities of Imantodes chocoensis lie in close proximity to the Ecuador-Colombia border and we expect for it to be found in neighboring Colombia.

Torres-Carvajal O, Yánez-Muñoz MH, Quirola D, Smith EN, Almendáriz A. 2012. A new species of blunt-headed vine snake (Colubridae, Imantodes) from the Chocó region of Ecuador. ZooKeys 244: 91. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.244.3950

Andrés F. Jaramillo-Martínez, Alejandro Valencia-Zuleta and Fernando Castro-Herrera. 2013.  Imantodes chocoensis Torres-Carvajal, Yánez-Muñoz, Quirola, Smith, and Almendáriz, 2012 (Squamata: Dipsadidae): First records from Colombia. Check List. 9(5): 1070–1071. 

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD059-13

New Species of Ecuadorean Vine Snake Described

Imantodes chocoensis hails from the Chocoan forests of northwestern Ecuador.

http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-news/2012/11/30/new-species-of-blunt-headed-vine-snake-described.aspx

Long and thin with a big head: new snake adds diversity to a bizarre group (photo) http://news.mongabay.com/2012/1128-hance-imantodes-chocoensis.html