Broad-fronted Snail-Eater

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Dipsas latifrontalis differs from all described species of Dipsas based on the following combination of characters: (1) 15 / 15 / 15 smooth dorsals with moderately enlarged vertebral row; (2) one loreal and one preocular in contact with orbit; (3) 8 - 10 supralabials with 3 rd to 6 th contacting orbit; (4) one pair of infralabials in contact behind symphysial; (5) 192 ventrals in one male (CVULA 7883), 194 in the female holotype; (6) 109 divided subcaudals in the single male, 95 in the female holotype; (7) dorsal and ventral ground color bronze (light brown in juveniles) with 32 - 36 dark reddish brown to black, circular to vertically elliptical blotches that are longer than interspaces and white to cream edged on first half of body; head grayish brown to black with different degrees of whitish edging on the labial scales, and with or without a thin (1 - 2 scales long) dingy white irregular nuchal collar; dorsal blotches extending marginally onto ventrals and occasionally fusing on the anterior part of the body; (8) 800 mm SVL in the holotype female; (9) 220 mm TL in the holotype female.

Systematics of South American snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Ecuador and Peru

distribution

Distribution. Known only from two localities in the Venezuelan Andes and one in the Northern Colombian Andes at elevations between 1000 and 1400 m (Fig. 4).

Systematics of South American snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Ecuador and Peru