Burrowing Night Snake

distribution

This species is known from very few reported specimens in Paraguay, one with no specific locality data (MNHNP 9534), and two with localities reported by Ríos et al. (2020): 1) 12 km W San Ignacio Guazú on Ruta IV, Misiones department (CZPLT-H 1544); 2) 3.5 km W Ybycuí, Paraguarí department (CZPLT-H 1353). Additionally, an individual was photographed at 4 km E of Laguna Capitán, Presidente Hayes department (Smith and Clay, 2015). Here we report a fourth Paraguayan specimen (Fig. 27) collected at Quiíndy, Paraguarí department (26 ° 00 ’ 30.8 ’’ S 57 ° 14 ’ 24.3 ’’ W) on 23 January 2024 by JM and which will be deposited in the MNHNP shortly. Identification was confirmed on examination of the specimen by colour pattern and the presence of 13 mid-dorsal scale rows (Cacciali 2024). This is a minor range extension of 17.23 km. The species is considered to be “ Data Deficient ” in Paraguay (Martínez et al., 2020 c).

Twenty-eight new and significant departmental reptile records for Paraguay

distribution

Distribution. Known from the southern portion of South America, in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Plt. 296 A). In Brazil, widespread in Pampas Grasslands and the southern portion of the Cerrado, with marginal records in Araucaria Forest, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga (Plt. 296 A). Recorded mostly in low areas in the southern part of the range, and in intermediate to high elevation areas near its northern limits (Plt. 296 B). Observed in the field in grassland and savanna (Nogueira, 2001; Marques et al., 2006; Winck et al., 2007).

Atlas of Brazilian Snakes: Verified Point-Locality Maps to Mitigate the Wallacean Shortfall in a Megadiverse Snake Fauna

materials_examined

Type locality. “ Uruguay ” (in error, according to Wallach et al., 2014). Corrected to Paraguay fide original data tag and MCZ Catalogue (Wallach et al., 2014).

Atlas of Brazilian Snakes: Verified Point-Locality Maps to Mitigate the Wallacean Shortfall in a Megadiverse Snake Fauna

Philodryas agassizii (Jan 1863) Jan 1863

Philodryas agassizii (Jan, 1863) (Figs. 17.3 and 29.4) We have only one record for this species in municipality of Caitité, Bahia State. This area is part of the Diamantina Plateau complex, 824 m elevation. It is also recorded in Cerrado (Nogueira et al. 2010) and Pampas regions where is known from open, grassy areas (Marques et al. 2006), and we believe this species can be found in relictual, open, rocky savanna enclaves named campos rupestres in the Caatinga. It has terrestrial habits, is diurnal, and feeds on spiders (Marques et al. 2006).

Diversity, natural history, and geographic distribution of snakes in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil