Ayamaru Groundsnake

description

Stegonotus aruensis (n = 1) differs by scale counts of V ♂ = 190 (181) and SL E = 3 + 4 (3 + 4 + 5). Additional differences include (1) the rostral of S. aruensis is not visible on the dorsal surface of the head (Fig. 3 A) (gull wing +); (2) InS = ¾ PfS (InS = ¾ PfS); (3) the lateral ray of AP / is directed posterolaterally (laterally); and (4) FL = % ParS (FL = ParS). The closest known locality for S. aruensis is in the Aru Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia, ca. 500 km by air from the type locality of S. ayamaru. Stegonotus australis (n = 21) differs by scale counts of V ♂ = 191 – 220 (181), SC ♂ = 74 – 88 (105), SCR ♂ = 0.25 – 0.29 (0.37), SL E = 4 + 5 (3 + 4 + 5); SL = 8 or 9 (7); IL = 9 or 10 (8), and IL G = 5 (4). Additional differences include (1) the rostral of S. australis is clearly visible on the dorsal surface of the head, where it forms a shallow V when viewed from above (gull wing +); (2) the rostral intrudes upon the internasal space, shortening the internasal suture (does not extend into the internasal space, internasal suture not impacted); (3) InS = ⅓ PfS (InS = ¾ PfS); (4) the lateral ray of AP / is directed posterolaterally (laterally); (5) FL is slightly short

A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Stegonotus ayamaru appears to be a relatively small-sized (SVL of only known specimen = 493 mm) member of the genus with a relatively long tail (SCR ♂ = 0.37). It can be distinguished from all other known Stegonotus by the following combination of characters: (1) rostral extending onto the dorsal part of the head and not intruding into the internasal area, resulting in a relatively long internasal suture (character state: gull wing +; Fig. 3 C); (2) area of prefrontals 1.5 times that of the internasals, internasal suture two-thirds the length of the prefrontal suture (Fig. 7 A); (3) frontal clearly pentagonal with well-formed corners and a slightly convex anterior suture; (4) AE lies behind the anterior end of frontal (Fig. 7 A’); (5) length of frontal equal to that of the parietal suture; (6) PF / ¿ 90 ° (Fig. 7 A’); (7) AP / = 135 ° with lateral ray directed laterally (Fig. 7 A’); (8) three temporal scales touching the parietals, the lengths of the two anterior temporals combined equaling the length of the posterior temporal, temporal formula 2 + 2 + 3; (9) three neck scales contacting parietals (10) loreal two-thirds as long as wide; (11) a single preocular with dimen

A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters

etymology

Etymology. The species name ayamaru is a noun in apposition. It references the Ayamaru people of Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesian New Guinea and their homonymic language. We select this name not only to indicate the type locality but also to highlight the Ayamaru people’s struggle to protect their forests and waterways from exploitation. The Ayamaru Lakes are a case in point. One of the several endemic fishes in the lake (Melanotaenia boesemani) has been over-collected and is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (Allen 1996). West Papua was recently declared a conservation province (Anonymous 2018), and it is hoped that this will have a long-term, positive effect on regional development.

A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters

materials_examined

Holotype. RMNH. RENA 31199, an adult male from “ Komara ” [Kamro], Aitinyo District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia (1.5103 ° S, 132.3763 ° E; elevation ca. 140 m; Fig. 1). The type locality is a village of the Ayamaru people inhabiting the central Bird’s Head Peninsula, situated in lowland primary rainforest. The specimen was collected in February 1953 by the Reverend Herbert Marcus (1883 – 1961) and his wife Mieneke Marcus-van den Nieuwenhuizen 5 (1911 – 2009). In addition to the village name, the original specimen label also gives the local name for the specific collection site as “ apan bebach, ” but this appears to be a local designation and we were unable to determine its precise locality. In order to determine the detailed locality of the village listed as “ Komara, ” we located the name on Map SA 53 - 1 (Army Map Service 1942), the most likely map of the area available to missionaries in the 1950 s. On this map, there is a village listed under the name Komara 6, which we confirmed as the correct locality based on the accounts of the missionaries (Marcus-van den Nieuwenhuizen 2009). The map in Elmberg (1968: Fig. 2) reflects this arrangement and indicates th

A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters