Angel's Kukri Snake

description

Description of the neotype (ZFMK 88885). An adult male specimen in good condition, found DOR. Partial incision anteriorly and a longer incision made posteriorly before the cloaca. SVL 279 mm, TailL 146 mm (TotalL 425 mm). HeadL 12.5 mm, HeadW 7.9 mm, SnoutL 3.9 mm, EyeD 1.9 mm, FrontalL 3.5 mm, FrontalW 2.9 mm, IOD 4.4 mm, IND 3.3 mm. TailLR 34.4 %, HeadW / L 0.63, SnoutL / HeadL 0.31, EyeD / SnoutL 0.49, EyeD / HeadL 0.15, FrontalL / W 1.21, IND / IOD 0.21, IOD / HeadW 0.56. Body elongated but somewhat flattened due to preservation state, slightly robust anteriorly and at midbody; head ovoid, slightly distinct from neck; snout narrowing in dorsal view, depressed and truncate towards the rostral in dorsolateral view; snout tip terminating past lower jaw; eyes moderately-sized with a round pupil; nostrils pointed laterally; mouth flat, curving slightly posteriorly; tail long, consistent in diameter until the posterior half where it tapers gradually to a sharp terminal scute. Rostral distinctly enlarged and truncate laterally, wider than high and triangular in dorsal view, partially separating internasals; posterior scale suture of rostral with internasals " deep-V " shaped, vertex o

The taxonomic status of the kukri snake Oligodon arenarius Vassilieva, 2015 with a redescription of Oligodon macrurus (Angel, 1927) (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae)

description

General description and variation. All examined specimens agree with the original description of the lost holotype and the newly designated neotype (ZFMK 88885). A summary of morphological data for all presently known specimens of O. macrurus is presented in Table 7. In all specimens, body elongated and semi-cylindrical, slightly robust anteriorly and at midbody; head ovoid, slightly distinct from neck; snout narrowing in dorsal view, depressed towards the rostral in dorsolateral view; snout tip terminating past lower jaw; eyes moderately-sized with a round pupil; nostrils pointed laterally; mouth flat, curving slightly posteriorly; tail long in males, consistent in diameter until the posterior half before tapering gradually to a sharp terminal scute; in females, tail still elongate but much shorter than males, tapering gradually starting anteriorly from the cloaca to the terminal scute. SVL 210 - 320 mm (212 - 320 mm in males, 210 - 319 mm in females); TailL 35 - 190 mm (72 - 190 mm in males, 35 - 75 mm in females); TotalL 245 - 510 mm (284 - 510 mm in males, 345 - 385 mm in females). The largest specimen is an adult male (UNS 5001) with a SVL of 320 mm and TailL of 190 mm (TotalL

The taxonomic status of the kukri snake Oligodon arenarius Vassilieva, 2015 with a redescription of Oligodon macrurus (Angel, 1927) (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae)

description

Osteological description. The description of the skull of Oligodon macrurus is based on 3 D reconstructed µCT-scans of two specimens: ZMMU Re- 13857 and ZMMU Re- 14502 (one of the paratypes of O. arenarius); (Fig. 7). The skull of O. macrurus is short, rounded, and well ossified. The snout is composed of the premaxilla, nasals, septomaxillae and vomers. The circumorbital bones include the prefrontals and postorbitals. Premaxilla single, flat and curved anteriorly, representing the front tip of the snout; deeply wedged in the space between and beneath the septomaxillae and the nasals. Nasals spatulate-shaped and sharpened at the tip with an S-shaped profile; left and right articulated nasals form median septum between the nasal cavities covering them dorsally; ventrally nasals form a posterior process lying between the anterior edge of the frontals. Septomaxillae paired and plate-like, in contact medially, forming the floor of nasal cavity, partially fused with vomers; conchal processes of septomaxillae well defined; each septomaxilla in contact with nasal septum medially and form a posterior process contacting anterior edge of frontals through the prokinetic joint. Vomers toothless

The taxonomic status of the kukri snake Oligodon arenarius Vassilieva, 2015 with a redescription of Oligodon macrurus (Angel, 1927) (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae)

distribution

Distribution and natural history. To date O. macrurus is reliably known from five provinces in southern Vietnam (Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and possibly the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City), where it is only found in coastal ecosystems associated with the Mui Ne dunefields and sandy coastlines to its north and south (Fig. 1). The locality of Ho Chi Minh City (based on specimen NHMUK 1969.1854) has no precise information associated with it, and requires additional confirmation; although, suitable habitat may exist within the region. Vassilieva (2015) described aspects of behavior and habitat of O. arenarius. One specimen was found feeding on a frog Microhyla pulchra Hallowell, 1861 (Vassilieva 2015). During the collection of new material, we found specimens crossing roads at night and on the crawl in habitat during daytime searches, including a few that were recovered DOR. Based on collection records with dates, this species appears to be surface active year-round, although there is a slight increase in records between the months of November to March, corresponding with the end of southern Vietnam's monsoon season. Habitats where O. macrurus were found include l

The taxonomic status of the kukri snake Oligodon arenarius Vassilieva, 2015 with a redescription of Oligodon macrurus (Angel, 1927) (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae)