Conception Bank silver boa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Boidae |
Genus: | Chilabothrus |
Species: | C. argentum |
Binomial name | |
Chilabothrus argentum Reynolds et al., 2016 [2] | |
The Conception Bank silver boa (Chilabothrus argentum), also known as the Conception Bank boa or silver boa, is a species of boa [1] [3] described in May 2016 by a team of researchers from Harvard University. [2] It is only known from the Conception Island Bank in the Bahamas. [1] It is the first known discovery of a West Indian boa species in 73 years. [4] It is named for its unique silver color and the fact that the first specimen was found in a silver palm. [2]
Conception Bank silver boa has silver to tan dorsal background coloration, with or without scattered dark brown scales. Ventral scales are pure cream-white. They measure 88–103 cm (35–41 in) in snout–vent length and weigh 182–258 g (6.4–9.1 oz). Tail length varies between 18 and 21 cm (7.1 and 8.3 in). [2]
The Conception Bank silver boa is largely arboreal and has been found in silver palm Coccothrinax argentata and gumbo-limbo Bursera simaruba . The species is known from six individuals encountered in July 2015 by a research team from Harvard University, and from the type series of two individuals collected in October 2015. It has been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is considered "Critically Endangered" [1] in view of its small area of occurrence as well as potential threats posed by introduced species, habitat loss, and (illegal) pet trade. Some level of protection is offered by the Conception Island Bank being designated as a national park, and by the relative remoteness of the islands. [2]
Chilabothrus exsul, the Abaco Island boa or Northern Bahamas boa, is a boa species found in the Bahamas. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other boas, it is not venomous.
The Jamaican boa,Jamaican yellow boa or yellow snake is a boa species endemic to Jamaica. No subspecies are recognized. Like all other boas, it is not venomous.
The Puerto Rican boa is a large species of boa endemic to Puerto Rico. It is a terrestrial snake with a dark brown coloration. It grows to 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in length. It feeds on small mammals such as rodents and bats, birds and sometimes anole lizards. Like most boas, it is viviparous and kills its prey using constriction.
Sanzinia madagascariensis, also known as the Madagascar tree boa or Malagasy tree boa, is a boa species endemic to the island of Madagascar. It was once considered conspecific with the Nosy Komba ground boa. Like all other boas, it is non-venomous.
Conception Island is an islet located in the Bahamas. It is 7–9 km2 (2.7–3.5 sq mi) and reaches 25 m (82 ft) above sea level. It is an important rookery for nesting seabirds and hatching site for green turtles. It is uninhabited and protected as part of the Conception Island National Park.
Tropidophis greenwayi is a nonvenomous dwarf boa species endemic to the Caicos Islands. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Cyclura rileyi, commonly known as the Bahamian rock iguana or the San Salvador rock iguana, is a critically endangered species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. The species is native to three island groups in the Bahamas, and is in decline due to habitat encroachment by human development and predation by feral dogs and cats. There are three subspecies: the Acklins ground iguana, the White Cay iguana, and the nominotypical subspecies.
The Round Island boa, also known commonly as the Round Island keel-scaled boa and the Round Island ground boa, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the monotypic genus Casarea in the family Bolyeriidae. The species is endemic to Round Island, Mauritius. No subspecies are currently recognized.
The Cuban boa, also known as the Cuban tree boa and by locals as maja de Santa María, is a very large species of snake in the family Boidae. With lengths exceeding 5 m (16 ft) and a relatively heavy build, the Cuban boa is one of the largest snakes in the world. The species is native to Cuba and some nearby islands. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Boa imperator is a large, heavy-bodied, nonvenomous species of snake in the genus Boa that is commonly kept in captivity. Boa imperator is part of the family Boidae and is found in Mexico, Central America and South America west of the Andes Mountains. It is commonly called the Central American boa, northern boa,common boa, common northern boa and Colombian boa and is frequently and erroneously referred to as the red-tailed boa or Colombian red-tailed boa, especially in the pet trade.
Chilabothrus, commonly known as the Greater Antillean boas or West Indian boas, is a genus of nonvenomous snakes the family Boidae. The genus is endemic to the West Indies. 12 or 14 species are recognized as being valid.
Chilabothrus chrysogaster, commonly known as the Turks and Caicos Islands boa or the Southern Bahamas boa, is a species of snake found in the Southern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Local names include the rainbow boa, the Bahamas cat boa, the rainbow snake, and the fowl snake. Like all boids, it is not a venomous species.
The Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor, also known as the Inagua trope or Bahama wood snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Tropidophiidae. The species is endemic to Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas.
Chilabothrus fordii, known commonly as Ford's boa or the Haitian ground boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae.
Chilabothrus striatus, the Hispaniolan boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Hispaniola. The species is regularly found in the international pet trade.
Eunephrops cadenasi, sometimes called the sculptured lobster, is a species of lobster found in the Caribbean.
The Hispaniola racer or Hispaniolan brown racer is a snake that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. It is monotypic in the genus Haitiophis.
Chilabothrus schwartzi, also known as the Crooked-Acklins boa or Crooked Aklins boa, is a species of snake. It is endemic to the southern Bahamas, specifically to Crooked Island and Acklins. It was originally described as a subspecies of Epicrates chrysogaster, but it was elevated to full species status in 2018. In fact, molecular data suggest a closer relationship with Chilabothrus argentum than with Chilabothrus chrysogaster.
Chilabothrus strigilatus, the Bahamian boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is found in the Bahamas.