Wall's Bronzeback

discussion

Remarks. In Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia, D. cyanochloris, D. formosus, and D. kopsteini occur sympatrically, and have been the cause of much systematic confusion, mainly due to poor species descriptions of D. cyanochloris and D. formosus (see Vogel & van Rooijen 2007). In an effort to provide a more detailed and systematic description of these two species, D. kopsteini was described as a new species (Vogel & van Rooijen 2007). Nonetheless, D. cyanochloris was first reported from Singapore by Leong (2005 a) who collected a roadkill specimen at Mandai Track 15 on 2 October 2002, along with a specimen stored at LKCNHM that was collected on 25 February 1921 on Pulau Ubin that he says was misidentified as D. formosus. However, examination of that specimen revealed that it actually is D. formosus. Baker (2005) provided a photograph of one, but did not give any details concerning the record. Uncertainty regarding the presence of D. cyanochloris in Singapore persisted as Baker & Lim (2012) presented a photograph of a snake labelled D. cyanochloris, but stated that they did not want to use the photograph as confirmation of the species presence in Singapore. The only other p

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

materials_examined

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Old Upper Thomson Road: ZRC. 2.6117 (24 - Jan- 2005); Rifle Range Road: ZRC. 2.6692 (08 - May- 2008); Upper Peirce Reservoir Road: ZRC. 2.7116 (18 - Dec- 2014). Additional Singapore museum specimens. No specimens. Singapore localities. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — Mandai Track 15 — Old Upper Thomson Road — Pulau Ubin — Rifle Range Road — Thomson Ridge Forest — Upper Peirce Reservoir Road — Windsor Nature Park.

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

materials_examined

Singapore conservation status. Endangered. Conservation priority. Highest.

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

diagnosis

DIAGNOSIS (BASED ON NEW MATERIAL). — The specimens of D. cyanochloris (N = 8) are diagnosed by the combination of: 1) bronzecoloured body with conspicuous bluish interstitial skin, large black postocular streak from eye to nape, absence of lateral stripes along the body, and greenish underside; 2) Ve 184 - 207 in males, 183 - 210 in females; 3) paired Sc 138 - 153 in males, 138 - 144 in females; 4) divided As; 5) Ls single; 6) PrO 1; 7) PoO 2; 8) Te 2 + 2 or 3 + 2, rarely 1 + 2; 9) 4 th- 6 th SLE; 10) IF 9 - 10; 11) SL 9; 12) DSR 15: 15: 11, rarely nine rows; and 13) average RTaL 0.32 (0.30 - 0.36) in males, 0.29 (0.25 - 0.33) in females. The new materials from Mizoram, Northeast India enlarged the following morphological attributes (values for the lectotype are given in parentheses): Ve 184 - 207 in males and 183 - 210 in females (201); DSR at one head length before the vent 11, and rarely nine (11); SLE 4 th- 6 th (5 th- 6 th).

Contributions to the taxonomic status and molecular phylogeny of Asian Bronzeback Snakes (Colubridae, Ahaetuliinae, Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890), from Mizoram State, Northeast India