Black-headed Collared Snake

discussion

Remarks. Sibynophis melanocephalus was previously considered a synonym of S. geminatus until Taylor (1965) and Morgan (1973) recognised it as a separate species. Sibynophis melanocephalus was described by Gray (1832 – 1835) from a specimen in Hardwicke’s collection that Ģnther (1858 b) assigned the typelocality India, but the location was later changed questionably to Singapore (“ Singapore? ”) by Boulenger (1893) who examined three specimens from Hardwicke and one by Dennys (Table 1). In his examination of Sibynophiinae, Morgan (1973) formally amended the type locality to Singapore. However, prior to Boulenger (1893) tentative correction of the type locality to Singapore, Stoliczka (1870 a, c, d) first reported S. melanocephalus from Singapore, followed by Anderson (1871), Blanford (1881), and Sclater (1891 a). In addition, specimen MNHN-RA- 1891.205 was collected on 23 July 1891 by Claine. Stuebing (1991) followed Boulenger (1893) and listed the type locality as “ Singapore? ”. Sworder (1923) collected a few specimens and described S. melanocephalus as common, but today it is regarded as rare (Baker & Lim 2012). After Buddle (1929) collected four specimens at SNB, Lim & Subharaj

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

materials_examined

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): BMNH 1880.9. 10.29 (no date), BMNH 1946.1. 17.76 (no date) [holotype], BMNH (no #) (no date), ZRC. 2.2706 (Aug- 1927), ZRC. 2.2705 (1942); Botanic Gardens: ZRC. 2.2709 (1897), ZRC. 2.2710 (14 - May- 1904); Bukit Kalang Service Reservoir Road [SRF]: ZRC. 2.6092 – ZRC. 2.6093 (06 - Oct- 2004), ZRC. 2.6120 (01 - Mar- 2005); Bukit Timah: ZRC. 2.2707 (01 - Apr- 1923), ZRC. 2.2708 (21 - Apr- 1923); Dairy Farm Nature Park: ZRC. 2.6948 (22 - Dec- 2011); Kranji: ZRC. 2.2712 (07 - Oct- 1922), ZRC. 2.2714 (17 - May- 1923), ZRC. 2.2713 (20 - Mar- 1923); Lorong Banir [= SF]: ZRC. 2.7222 (26 - Oct- 2015); Mandai Lake Road: ZRC. 2.5963 (09 - May- 2003); Old Upper Thomson Road: ZRC. 2.7315 (2018); Pasir Laba Road: ZRC. 2.2297 (1984), ZRC. 2.2296 (Sep- 1986); Rifle Range Road [RRNP]: ZRC. 2.6714 (12 - Jul- 2008); Seletar: ZRC. 2.2711 (Jul- 1952); Singapore Zoo: ZRC. 2.6910 (04 - May- 2010); Upper Peirce Reservoir Road: ZRC. 2.6312 (15 - Nov- 2006), ZRC. 2.6985 (11 - Sep- 2012), ZRC. 2.7114 (20 - Sep- 2014). Additional Singapore museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): CAS, MNHN, NMI, NMW, ZMUC; Kranji: CAS. Singapore localities. Admiralty

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

materials_examined

Singapore conservation status. Vulnerable. Conservation priority. Highest.

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution

materials_examined

Singapore records. Ablabes melanocephalus — Stoliczka, 1870 a: 106. — Stoliczka, 1870 c: 107. — Stoliczka, 1870 d: 183 (“ in the (so-called) botanic garden at Singapore ” [SBG]). — Anderson, 1871: 33. — Theobald, 1876: 229. — Dennys, 1880 a: 3. — Dennys, 1881 a: 2. — Dennys, 1881 b: 2. — Blanford, 1881: 215.

Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution