Salvadora gymnorhachis

diagnosis

Diagnosis Eight – 9 supralabials, two supralabials, fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; 8 – 10 infralabials; preocular scale divided; a single loreal scale; prenasal in contact or separated from the second supralabial; a second pair of chinshields in contact or separated by a row of scales; 176 – 186 ventral scales; 92 – 103 subcaudal scales; tail is 18 to 21 % of the total length; 11 + 3 maxillary teeth. Color pattern consists of a pair of dark dorsolateral lines that begin behind the eyes and fade before reaching the middle of the body, without a well-defined vertebral line and lacking lateral lines. This species differs clearly from the other species by lacking dorsolateral lines on about the posterior two-thirds of the body and by lacking vertebral and lateral lines across the body.

Phylogenetic relationships based on morphological data and taxonomy of the genus Salvadora Baird & Girard, 1853 (Reptilia, Colubridae)

discussion

Dichotomous key for the species and subspecies of the genus Salvadora

Phylogenetic relationships based on morphological data and taxonomy of the genus Salvadora Baird & Girard, 1853 (Reptilia, Colubridae)

distribution

Distribution and conservation Mountains of central Oaxaca, Mexico (Fig. 11). This is a recently described taxon and one of limited distribution that is not known to inhabit any protected natural areas. This species is not included in Mexican legislation and is not in the IUCN’s red list.

Phylogenetic relationships based on morphological data and taxonomy of the genus Salvadora Baird & Girard, 1853 (Reptilia, Colubridae)

etymology

Etymology The name is derived from the Greek prefixes ‘ gymnós ’, which means ‘ naked’ and ‘ rách ḭ ’ which means ‘ back’.

Phylogenetic relationships based on morphological data and taxonomy of the genus Salvadora Baird & Girard, 1853 (Reptilia, Colubridae)