Muller's Wolf Snake

conservation

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN]. — Near Threatened [2016] ver. 3.1

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

discussion

REMARKS. — In his review of the Philippine species of Lycodon, Leviton (1965) commented on Boulenger’s reference to Stegonotus muelleri (Boulenger [1893: 367]), which, according to Boulenger was based on Stegonotus mülleri Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril (1854: 682). At the time Leviton stated that he was “ restricting the nominal genus Stegonotus to include but a single species, S. mülleri ” (Leviton [1965: 120]) then known from Samar Island in the Philippines, as had been reported on by Boulenger, who had also included Peters’ Spilotes samarensis (Peters [1861: 685]), also from Samar, in the synonymy of S. muelleri. Unfortunately, and at the same time, Leviton overlooked a specimen that was resident in the Stanford University collections, now at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS-SU 13233), that bears the locality Mercedes, Samar Island, Philippines, collected 25 July 1945 by Ralph F. Annereaux. An examination of this animal and with reference to both Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril and to Boulenger, indicates that this is a much larger snake than any of the known species of Lycodon, and it likely does indeed represent a distinct group that should be recognized in the Philippines.

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

distribution

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) (Map 35 C [p. 146]). — Dinagat, Leyte (Prov.: Leyte, Southern Leyte), Mindanao (Prov.: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte), Samar.

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). — Samar Id., Philippines. Holotype: MNHN 848.

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