Dominic’s reed snake

description

Description of holotype: Habitus vermiform; head indistinct from neck; pupil round; tail relatively short (6.2 % of the total length), nearly as thick as body, slightly tapering, ending in obtuse point. Size. SVL: 395 mm; TaL: 26 mm; TL: 421 mm; ratio TaL / TL: 0.06. Dentition. Right upper maxilla with 9 modified maxillary teeth. Body scalation. Dorsal scale rows 13 – 13 – 13, smooth. Dorsal scales reducing to six rows at position above fourth subcaudal, to five rows above 12 th subcaudal, and to four rows above 13 th subcaudal on tail. 174 ventrals (+ 1 preventral); 18 / 17 subcaudals, all paired, first pair not in contact, followed by tail tip; precloacal single. Head scalation. Rostral wider than high, portion visible from above shorter than prefrontal suture. Prefrontal shorter than frontal, not entering orbit, and touching first two supralabials on right side and second and third supralabial on left side. Frontal hexagonal, nearly two times maximum width of supraocular. Paraparietal surrounded by six shields and scales. Length of parietal shorter than distance from posterior tip of frontal to posterior tip of rostral. Supraocular 1 / 1. Loreal 1 / 1. Preocular 1 / 1, distinctl

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Squamata: Colubridae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis: A species of the genus Calamaria cha- racterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) rostral wider than high; (2) paraparietal surrounded by six shields and scales; (3) eye diameter larger than eye-mouth distance; (4) preocular present; (5) supralabials 5 / 4, 3 - 4 / 2 - 3 entering orbit; (6) maxillary teeth nine, modified; (7) infralabials 5 / 4, first three touching anterior chin shields; (8) mental touching tip of right anterior chin shield; (9) ventrals 1 + 174; subcaudal scales 18 / 17, divided; (10) precloacal plate single; (11) tail relatively short (6.2 % of the total length), nearly as thick as body, slightly tapering, and ending in obtuse point; (12) dorsal scales reducing to six rows at position above 4 th subcaudal, and to four rows above 13 th subcaudal on tail; (13) dorsum dark with irregular yellow blotches; and (14) ventral side dark with few yellow blotches and bands.

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Squamata: Colubridae)

distribution

Distribution: Calamaria dominici is currently known only from the type locality (Fig. 5). Natural history: The holotype was found in evergreen mixed forest of broadleaf and conifer trees. The snake was discovered on a forest path near a small creek, for about 50 m distance from a large creek (Figs 6 - 7). It was found, surface active, in a densely vegetated boggy area at 11: 30. The surrounding habitat was primary forest consisting of dense understory punctuated with large boulders scattered over a ca. 20 ° slope that descended to a large creek. Dissection of the female holotype revealed ovaries with some eggs enlarge to 4 mm.

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Squamata: Colubridae)

etymology

Etymology: Named dominici to honor Dominic T. Charles Scriven, founder of Wildlife at Risk (WAR), for his contribution towards wildlife conservation in Vietnam. Suggested common names: Dominic’s reed snake (English), Ran mai gam do-mi-nic (Vietnamese), Calamaire de Dominic (French), and Dominics Zwergschlange (German).

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Squamata: Colubridae)