Alsophis

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Alsophis
Alsophis antillensis at Rosalie-a03.jpg
Alsophis antillensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Alsophis
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

8, see text

Synonyms

Dromicus

Alsophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Alsophis are among those snakes commonly called "racers". Alsophis species are endemic to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. One species in the genus Alsophis, A. antiguae, is one of the world's rarest known snakes. Snakes of the genus Alsophis are small and rear-fanged, and they are considered harmless to humans. This genus contains nine described species which are recognized as being valid. [1] Several species once included in this genus have been placed in the genera Borikenophis and Pseudalsophis .

Contents

Rarest species

Alsophis antiguae is the rarest snake in the genus Alsophis. This snake once occurred on Antigua and Barbuda, but by 1995, only 50 individuals remained on Great Bird Island, off the coast of Antigua. [2] Following the removal of invasive alien predators and successful reintroductions to a further three islands (Rabbit in 1999, Green Island in 2001, and York Island in 2008), the total population has increased to more than 1,000 individuals. [3]

Description

Snakes of the genus Alsophis are all relatively small, usually less than about 1 m (39⅜ in) in body length. Females tend to be larger than males. these racers are rear-fanged, with enlarged teeth at the rear of their upper jaws.

Behavior

Alsophis species are harmless to humans and most have a gentle temperament. They are diurnal, usually active from dawn to dusk.

Species

Listed alphabetically by specific name. [4]

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

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antiguan racer</span> Species of snake

The Antiguan racer is a harmless rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) grey-brown snake that was until recently found only on Great Bird Island off the coast of Antigua, in the eastern Caribbean. It is among the rarest snakes in the world. In the year 1995 researchers estimated that only 51 Antiguan racer snakes were alive on the Great Bird Island. However, in the last 20 years, conservation efforts have boosted numbers from an estimated 50 to over 1,100 individuals by eradicating non-native predators and reintroducing the snake to other Antiguan islands in its original range. In addition to Great Bird Island, the Antiguan racer has successfully recolonised the nearby Rabbit Island, Green Island, and York Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Bird Island (Antigua and Barbuda)</span>

Great Bird Island is a tiny islet lying 2.5 kilometers off the northeast coast of Antigua. Measuring just 20 acres (81,000 m2), it is smaller than most city parks. It is a private island but open to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeward island racer</span> Species of snake

The Leeward Island racer is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Anguilla, Saint Barthélemy, and is probably extirpated from Sint Maarten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-bellied racer</span> Species of snake

The red-bellied racer is a species of Colubrid snake that is endemic to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, where it is found on the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitts, and Nevis.

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The Saint Vincent blacksnake, also commonly known as the Saint Vincent coachwhip, the San Vincent racer, and Vincent's sipo, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.

Erythrolamprus ornatus, also known commonly as the ornate ground snake and the Saint Lucia racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the eastern Caribbean. It is the rarest snake on earth with fewer than 20 left in the wild.

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<i>Pholidoscelis plei</i> Species of lizard

Pholidoscelis plei, known commonly as the Anguilla Bank ameiva or the Caribbean ameiva, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. The species is found on the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy in the Lesser Antilles. Its coloration and markings vary between each island population. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

<i>Alsophis antillensis</i> Species of snake

Alsophis antillensis, the Guadeloupe racer, Antilles racer, or Leeward racer, is a species of snake endemic to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

<i>Alsophis manselli</i> Species of snake

Alsophis manselli, the Montserrat racer, is a species of snake endemic to the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

<i>Alsophis sibonius</i> Species of snake

Alsophis sibonius, the Dominica racer, Dominican racer, or Antilles racer, is a species of snake endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica.

<i>Anolis gingivinus</i> Species of reptile

Anolis gingivinus, also known as the Anguilla Bank tree anole, Anguilla bank anole, and Anguilla anole, is a species of anole lizard that is endemic to the Caribbean Lesser Antilles islands of Anguilla and its satellites, such as Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terre-de-Haut racer</span> Species of snake

The Terre-de-Haut racer is a species of snake found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles. This species is endemic to Terre-de-Bas Island and Terre-de-Haut Island which make up the Îles des Saintes. Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut are very small islands with a total area of approximately 13 km2. Because of its presence only on this small area, it is a highly protected species.

<i>Borikenophis portoricensis</i> Species of reptile

Borikenophis portoricensis is a snake endemic to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It can grow to three feet long.

There are two species of snake named Antilles racer:

References

  1. EOL.org
  2. Daltry, Jenny C.; Bloxam, Quentin; Cooper, Gillian; Day, Mark L.; Hartley, John; Henry, McRonnie; Lindsay, Kevel; Smith, Brian E. (2001). "Five years of conserving the 'world's rarest snake', the Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae". Oryx. 35 (2): 119–127. doi: 10.1017/s0030605300031677 .
  3. Fauna & Flora International. "Antiguan racer". Fauna & Flora International. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  4. Genus Alsophis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  5. Daltry, J.C.; Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Alsophis manselli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T190567A115325863. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190567A71748201.en . Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  6. Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2019). "Alsophis sibonius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T190569A71748211. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T190569A71748211.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.