Apostolepis niceforoi

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Apostolepis niceforoi
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Apostolepis
Species:
A. niceforoi
Binomial name
Apostolepis niceforoi
Amaral, 1935

Apostolepis niceforoi, also commonly known as the Amazon burrowing snake and the Colombian blackhead, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. [2] The species is endemic to Colombia. [2]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, niceforoi, is in honor of missionary Brother Nicéforo María, born Antoine Rouhaire in France, who established a natural history museum in Medellín, Colombia. [3] :190

Description

Apostolepis niceforoi has the following scalation. There is a single preocular which contacts the nasal. There is no loreal. There are six upper labials, the second and third contacting the eye. There are six lower labials, the first four contacting the chin shields. The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and arranged in 15 rows throughout the length of the body. There are 246–248 ventrals, and 21–23 pairs of subcaudals. [2]

Dorsally, Apostolepis niceforoi is light yellowish brown, with seven dark brown stripes. Ventrally, it is uniformly yellow. [2]

Geographic distribution

Apostolepis niceforoi is found in extreme southern Colombia, in Amazonas Department. [2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Apostolepis niceforoi is forest. [1]

Behavior

Apostolepis niceforoi is terrestrial and fossorial. [1]

Reproduction

Apostolepis niceforoi is oviparous. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Arredondo, J.C.; Caicedo, J. (2019). "Apostolepis niceforoi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 e.T15156851A15156860. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T15156851A15156860.en .
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Apostolepis niceforoi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 25 February 2016.
  3. Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5.

Further reading