Philodryas

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Philodryas
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Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Philodryas
Wagler, 1830 [1]
Species

See text

Synonyms

Atamophis, Callirhinus, Chlorosoma, Dirrhox, Dryophylax, Euophrys, Galeophis, Herpetodryas, Lygophis, Pseudablabes, Teleolepis, Xenodon [2]

Contents

Philodryas is a genus of colubrid snakes endemic to South America, [2] commonly called green snakes.

Description

Species in the genus Philodryas share the following characters:

Head distinct from neck, with distinct canthus rostralis. Eye moderate or large. Pupil round. Body cylindrical or slightly laterally compressed. Tail long.

Dorsal scales arranged in 17 to 23 rows at midbody, more or less obliquely. Subcaudals divided (in two rows).

Maxillary teeth smallest anteriorly, 12–15, followed after a gap by two large grooved fangs located just behind the posterior border of the eye. [2]

Venom

Although colubrid snakes are usually harmless to humans, Philodryas are opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snakes [2] and can give a venomous bite.

Species and geographic ranges

There are 16 recognized species. [1] [3]

Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Philodryas.

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<i>Philodryas chamissonis</i> Species of snake

Philodryas chamissonis, commonly known as the Chilean green racer and the Chilean long-tailed snake, is a species of moderately venomous opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Chile.

<i>Lycodon</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Erythrolamprus</i> Genus of reptiles

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<i>Dendrophidion</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Tachymenis</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Dipsas</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Atractus</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Mastigodryas</i> Genus of snakes

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<i>Philodryas olfersii</i> Species of snake

Philodryas olfersii is a species of venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.

<i>Apostolepis</i> Genus of snakes

Apostolepis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae. However, the familial placement differs among sources. It has also been placed in the family Colubridae, subfamily Dipsadinae or Xenodontinae, or in the family Xenodontidae. The genus Apostolepis is endemic to South America.

<i>Phalotris</i> Genus of snakes

Phalotris is a genus of snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. All species of the genus Phalotris are found in South America. The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. The specific name, normanscotti, is in honor of Norman Scott, Jr., in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Paraguay.

<i>Philodryas patagoniensis</i> Species of reptile

Philodryas patagoniensis, also known as the Patagonia green racer, is a species of rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to cis-Andean South America from northern Argentina to northeastern Brazil; despite its name, most of its range is outside Patagonia.

<i>Philodryas psammophidea</i> Species of snake

Philodryas psammophidea, Günther's green racer, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.

References

  1. 1 2 "Philodryas ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xxiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Genus Philodryas, p. 127).
  3. Genus Philodryas at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  4. "Home". philodryas.com.

Further reading