Erythrolamprus mertensi

Erythrolamprus mertensi
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Erythrolamprus
Species:	E. mertensi
Binomial name
Erythrolamprus mertensi (Roze, 1964)
Synonyms [2]
Umbrivaga mertensi Roze, 1964

Erythrolamprus mertensi, also known commonly as Mertens's tropical forest snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Venezuela. ^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. ^{[3] : 176}

Geographic distribution

Erythrolamprus mertensi is found in the Venezuelan state of Aragua. ^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Erythrolamprus mertensi is forest, at elevations of 1,100–1,240 m (3,610–4,070 ft). ^[1]

Behavior

Erythrolamprus mertensi is terrestrial and diurnal. ^[1]

Reproduction

Erythrolamprus mertensi is oviparous. ^[2]

References

1. Schargel, W.; Rivas, G. (2015). "Erythrolamprus mertensi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T177557A67509751. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/177557/67509751 Downloaded on 02 October 2018.
2. Erythrolamprus mertensi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 25 August 2014.
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

• Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN   0-87666-912-7. 189 pp. (Umbrivaga mertensi, p. 112).
• Grazziotin, F.G.; Zaher, H.; Murphy, R.W.; Scrocchi, G.; Benavides, M.A.; Zhang, Y.-P.; Bonatto, S.L. (2012). "Molecular phylogeny of the New World Dipsadidae (Serpentes: Colubroidea): a reappraisal". Cladistics. 28 (5): 437–459. (Erythrolamprus mertensi, new combination).
• Kornacker, P.M. (1999). Checklist and key to the snakes of Venezuela: Lista sistemática y clave para las serpientas de Venezuela. Rheinbach, Germany: PaKo-Verlag. ISBN   978-3980624008. 270 pp. (Umbrivaga mertensi, p. 143). (in English and Spanish).
• Roze, J.A. (1964). "The snakes of the Leimadophis-Urotheca-Liophis complex from Parque Nacional Henri Pittier (Rancho Grande), Venezuela, with a description of a new genus and species (Reptilia, Colubridae)". Senckenbergiana Biologica. 45 (3/5): 533–542. (Umbrivaga, new genus; Umbrivaga mertensi, new species).