Dipsadinae Temporal range: [1] | |
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Sibon longifrenis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Subfamily: | Dipsadinae Bonaparte, 1838 |
Synonyms | |
Dipsadina Bonaparte, 1838 [2] Contents |
Dipsadinae is a large subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Dipsadidae). [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] They are found in most of the Americas, including the West Indies, and are most diverse in South America. [8] [9] There are more than 700 species. [7]
Dipsadinae are an ecologically and morphologically diverse group of mostly small to moderate-sized snakes (typically less than 80 cm (31 in) in total length). Some are arboreal, but others are aquatic or terrestrial and may even burrow. Most are oviparous. [9] Many eat frogs or lizards, and some consume mammals and birds. Several genera (e.g. Adelphicos , Atractus , Geophis , Dipsas , Ninia , Sibon , Sibynomorphus , Tropidodipsas ) are specialized feeders on gooey and slimy prey, such as frog eggs, earthworms, snails, and slugs. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Almost all species are completely harmless to humans, although a few genera (e.g. Borikenophis , Cubophis , Heterodon , Hydrodynastes , Philodryas ) have inflicted painful bites with local, non-life-threatening symptoms. [15]
Some authors refer to part or all of this group as Xenodontinae, but if the two names are used synonymously, Dipsadinae is the correct name because it is older. [4] When Xenodontinae is used non-synonymously, it normally refers to the larger and more derived South American-Caribbean subclade containing the genus Xenodon and its relatives, whereas Dipsadinae sensu stricto is restricted to the smaller and more basal Central American subclade containing the genus Dipsas and its relatives. [8] [16] Also, a third North American group (sometimes called "Carphophiinae") contains nine species in five genera at the base of the Dipsadinae (the "North American relicts" thought to have descended from the ancestors of dipsadines as they crossed from Asia to South America by way of North America; genera Heterodon , Farancia , Diadophis , Carphophis , and Contia ). [17]
Within the Dipsadinae, the three major groups/clades or subfamilies are the Central American group ("Dipsadinae" sensu stricto), the South American + Caribbean group ("Xenodontinae"), and a small North American group (sometimes called the "Carphophiinae" or, incorrectly, "Heterodontinae"). [lower-alpha 1] [17] In addition, a number of snake genera are likely to be dipsadines based on their morphology and geographic range, but because of the absence of genetic data and information about their closest relatives, they are considered genera incertae sedis and are not currently placed in a subgroup of the Dipsadinae.
The Natricinae are a subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Natricidae). The subfamily comprises 36 genera. Members include many very common snake species, such as the European grass snakes, and the North American water snakes and garter snakes. Some Old World members of the subfamily are known as keelbacks, because their dorsal scales exhibit strong keeling.
The Colubrinae are a subfamily of the family Colubridae of snakes. It includes numerous genera, and although taxonomic sources often disagree on the exact number, The Reptile Database lists 717 species in 92 genera as of September 2019. It is the second largest subfamily of colubrids, after Dipsadinae. Many of the most commonly known snakes are members of this subfamily, including rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes, vine snakes, and indigo snakes.
Xenodontinae is a subfamily of snakes in the family Colubridae.
Erythrolamprus is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as false coral snakes, native to Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern part of South America. They appear to be coral snake mimics.
Geophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae of the superfamily Colubroidea. Species in the genus Geophis are commonly referred to as Latin American earth snakes. The genus consists of 53 distinct species.
Dipsas is a genus of nonvenomous New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus Sibynomorphus has been moved here. Species of the genus Dipsas are known as snail-eaters.
Oxyrhopus, the false coral snakes, is a genus of colubrid snakes that belong to the subfamily Dipsadinae. The genus is found in Central America and the northern part of South America, and it includes 15 distinct species.
Pseudalsophis is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America. Out of the ten species, nine are endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
The Lamprophiidae are a family of snakes found throughout much of Africa, including the Seychelles. There are 89 species as of July 2022.
Colubroidea is a superfamily of snakes in the clade Colubroides that includes Colubridae, with some studies splitting Colubridae into multiple families that make up Colubroidea. Historically, Colubroidea also included other caenophidian snakes such as cobras and vipers, as these snakes form a clade. However these groups are now divided into several distinct, but related, families. Zaher et al. (2009) proposed to redefine Colubroidea for colubrids and related families, while designating Colubroides as the group containing vipers and cobras as well as colubroids. The ReptileDatabase considers Colubroidea to be composed of Colubridae and the members of its sister group, Elapoidea, and does not recognize the division of Colubridae into multiple families.
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.
Mussurana is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.
Mussurana bicolor, the two-colored mussurana, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern South America.
Lygophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to Panama and South America.
Caaeteboia is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to Brazil.
Rodriguesophis is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus contains three species, all of which are endemic to Brazil.
The Colubroides are a clade in the suborder Serpentes (snakes). It contains over 85% of all the extant species of snakes. The largest family is Colubridae, but it also includes at least six other families, at least four of which were once classified as "Colubridae" before molecular phylogenetics helped in understanding their relationships. It has been found to be monophyletic.
Erythrolamprus albertguentheri, also known commonly as Günther's green liophis, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to central South America.
Erythrolamprus festae, also known commonly as the drab ground snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Our results support monophyly of Colubridae, containing the traditionally recognized subfamilies Calamariinae, Colubrinae, Natricinae, Pseudoxenodontinae, and Dipsadinae.
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