Luzon Bronze-back Tree Snake

conservation

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN]. — The conservation status of Dendrelaphis luzonensis has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List [2016] ver. 3.1, but IUCN notes that it is listed in the Catalogue of Life.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

distribution

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) (Map 12 D [p. 123]). — Babayan Ids. (Calayan, Camiguin Norte, Dalupiri), Luzon (Prov.: Albay, Aurora, Baay, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Isabela, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Laguna, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales), Marinduque, Masbate (?), Ticao (?).

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

materials_examined

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S). — Los Bãnos, Laguna Prov., Luzon Id., Philippines. Holotype: CAS 61134.

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

description

Fig. 10. Description. A species of the Dendrelaphis caudolineatus group, characterized by the combination of 1) black longitudinal stripes restricted to the posterior half of the body, 6 – 8 stripes posteriorly; 2) a pale ventrolateral stripe restricted to the posterior half of the body; 3) a black postocular stripe is absent, rarely rudimentary; 4) 176 – 182 ventrals (males), 178 – 187 ventrals (females); 5) 100 – 117 subcaudals; 6) relative tail-length 0.252 – 0.291; 7) 5 – 7 temporal scales on each side; 8) 9 – 11 infralabials on each side; 9) 3 – 5 scales touching the posterior borders of the parietal scales; 10) maximum total length males 97.0 cm, females 129.5 cm. Sexual dimorphism. On average, males have 106 subcaudals and 178 ventrals whereas females have 110 subcaudals and 180 ventrals (F = 6.3; df = 1; p = 0.03, F = 5.5; df = 1; p = 0.03). Furthermore, males have slightly larger eyes on average (F = 9.8; df = 1; p = 0.01). Females grow larger than males (see description).

A revision of the taxonomy of Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray, 1834) (Serpentes: Colubridae)