Duméril's Wolf Snake

conservation

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN]. — The conservation status of Lycodon dumerilii has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List [2016] ver. 3.1, but IUCN notes that it is listed in the Catalogue of Life.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

discussion

REMARKS. — Examination of a large adult specimen from Samar in the collections of the California Academy of Sciences (CAS-SU 13233), which almost precisely matches the description of “ Stegonotus muelleri ” in Boulenger (1893: 367), appears to suggest that Boulenger’s reference can be assigned to Lycodon dumerilii. Both the BMNH and CAS-SU specimens are large adults and the typical cross-bars are obscured by a near uniform darkening of the dorsum. The Academy specimen shows the faintest hint of former lighter cross-bars, at best about 20 in number, that were narrower than the darker areas. None encroached upon the ventrals. However, the BMNH specimen and the one we examed here are significantly larger than any known species included in the genus Lycodon and thus we recognize Stegonotus muelleri (q. v.) as a distinct group pending further study. Furthermore, S. muelleri has been collected with greatly inceased frequency; indeed, there are now several dozen specimens in the University of Kansas (KU) collections from Samar, Leyte and eastern Mindanao. See additional comments herein under Stegonotus muelleri.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

distribution

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) (Map 22 A [p. 133]). — Basilan, Dinagat, Leyte, Mindanao (Prov.: Agusan del Sur, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga), Samar, Siargao.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

materials_examined

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S). — Surigao, Surigao del Norte Prov. (formerly Surigao Prov.), Mindanao Id., Philippines. Lectotype: BMNH 1946.1.15.6 (formerly BMNH 77.10.9.67) (Lectotype designated by Leviton, 1965 c: 123).

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature