Erythrolamprus | |
---|---|
Almaden ground snake, Erythrolamprus almadensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Subfamily: | Dipsadinae |
Genus: | Erythrolamprus Boie, 1826 [1] |
Synonyms [2] [3] | |
Coluber, Coniophanes, Coronella, Elaps, Glaphyrophis, Natrix, Opheomorphus, Umbrivaga Contents |
Erythrolamprus is a genus of colubrid snakes native to Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. They include the false coral snakes, which appear to be coral snake mimics.
The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae (which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae), belonging to the family Colubridae. Erythrolamprus previously contained just six species, mostly coral snake mimics. However, molecular studies beginning in 2009 determined that Erythrolamprus was not monophyletic, and thus most of the snakes of the genera Liophis , Leimadophis , and Umbrivaga were placed into Erythrolamprus, bringing the number of species up to 50. [1]
Erythrolamprus snakes are usually less than 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length. They are ground snakes, with lifestyles ranging from fossorial (burrowing) to terrestrial to semi-aquatic, and in habitats ranging from rainforests to savannas to the mountainous páramo, up to 3,500 m (11,500 ft) above sea level. [1]
These species are currently recognized as being valid. [4]
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Erythrolamprus.
The brightly colored, ringed patterns of some of the snakes of the genus Erythrolamprus resemble those of sympatric coral snakes of the genus Micrurus , and it has been suggested that this is due to mimicry. Whether this is classical Batesian mimicry, classical Müllerian mimicry, a modified form of Müllerian mimicry, or no mimicry at all, remains to be proven. [5]
Coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be divided into two distinct groups, the Old World coral snakes and New World coral snakes. There are 27 species of Old World coral snakes, in three genera, and 83 recognized species of New World coral snakes, in two genera. Genetic studies have found that the most basal lineages have origins in Asia, suggesting that the group originated in the Old World. While new world species of both genera are venomous, their bites are seldom lethal; only two confirmed fatalities have been documented in the past 100 years from the genus Micrurus. Meanwhile, snakes of the genus Micruroides have never caused a medically significant bite.
Micrurus is a genus of venomous coral snakes of the family Elapidae.
The royal ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to northern South America.
Erythrolamprus bizona, commonly known as the double-banded false coral snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is found in northern South America and Central America.
Erythrolamprus aesculapii, also known commonly as the Aesculapian false coral snake, the South American false coral snake, and in Portuguese as bacorá, or falsa-coral, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Dixon's ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeastern Brazil.
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.
The Barbados racer, also commonly known as the tan ground snake, was a species of colubrid snake that was endemic to Barbados. It is now extinct.
Julia's ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe.
Shaw's dark ground snake, also known commonly as Shaw's black-backed snake, and in Spanish as candelilla, guarda caminos, and reinita cazadora, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northern South America.
The military ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Atractus is a genus of colubrid ground snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae. The genus includes more than 140 distinct species.
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 pseudoreginae, the Tobago stream snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in the northeastern forests of the island of Tobago.
Erythrolamprus zweifeli, the braided ground snake or Zweifel's ground snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Venezuela and Trinidad.