Fox's mountain meadow snake

Last updated

Fox's mountain meadow snake
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Species:
T. foxi
Binomial name
Thamnophis foxi
(Rossman & Blaney, 1968)
Adelophis foxi distribution.png
Synonyms [2]

Fox's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis foxi), also known commonly as culebra-de vega de Fox and pradera de Fox in Mexican Spanish, is a species of viviparous snake in the family Colubridae. The species, which was described by Douglas A. Rossman and Richard M. Blaney in 1968, is native to northwestern Mexico. [1] [2]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, foxi, is in honor of American herpetologist Wade Fox Jr. (1920–1964). [3]

Geographic range

T. foxi is found in the Mexican state of Durango. [1] [2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. foxi is forest, at an altitude of 2,600 m (8,500 ft). [1]

Description

The holotype of T. foxi has a total length (including tail) of 42 cm (17 in). It has five upper labials. The dorsal scales are in 17 rows throughout the length of the body. The anal scale is entire (undivided). [2]

Pictures

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of T. foxi is uncertain. The IUCN describes the species as ovoviviparous, [1] whereas the Reptile Database describes it as oviparous. [2]

Conservation status

Specimens LSU40793 and LSU40846 were the last recorded specimens of T. foxi, consisting of a male and female collected on 18 and 19 July 1981 in southwestern Durango, Mexico, most likely around 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of El Salto. While no detailed location information is included in the specimen record, it is noted that the same collector visited this location almost yearly in the late 1960s.[ citation needed ]

Threats to the survival of this snake species include ongoing deforestation caused by logging. [1] The area contains pine and pine-oak forests of Pinus durangensis that have been heavily logged and are now severely disturbed. Parts of the area are being reforested for forestry purposes, but it is not known whether reforested P. durangensis stands are suitable for this snake species. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garter snake</span> Common name for North American snakes of the genus Thamnophis

Garter snake is a common name for generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae. Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found from the subarctic plains of Canada to Costa Rica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common garter snake</span> Species of snake

The common garter snake is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to North America and found widely across the continent. There are several recognized subspecies. Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length is about 55 cm (22 in), with a maximum total length of about 137 cm (54 in). The average body mass is 150 g (5.3 oz). The common garter snake is the state reptile of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Fox</span> American zoologist and herpetologist

Rufus Wade Fox Jr., was an American zoologist and herpetologist from the University of California, Berkeley. He specialized in the anatomy of snakes and the systematics of the western garter snakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plains garter snake</span> Species of snake

The plains garter snake is a species of garter snake native to most of the central United States as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas. It has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray-green color. The snake is commonly found living near water sources such as streams and ponds, but can also be found in urban areas and vacant lots. Although the IUCN lists the species as "Least Concern", some states have given it their own special status. This species is mildly venomous, although the venom is not toxic to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butler's garter snake</span> Species of snake

Butler's garter snake is a species of garter snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-striped garter snake</span> Species of snake

The two-striped garter snake is a species of aquatic garter snake, which is endemic to western North America.

<i>Thamnophis copei</i> Species of snake

Thamnophis copei, Cope's mountain meadow snake, is a vulnerable species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species was originally described by Alfredo Dugès in 1897, and is endemic to Mexico. It is the type species of the genus AdelophisDugès, 1879.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern garter snake</span> Species of snake

The northwestern garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.

The narrow-headed garter snake, Thamnophis rufipunctatus, is a species of garter snake, endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. Its common names also include narrowhead garter snake and narrowhead watersnake.

<i>Thamnophis proximus</i> Species of snake

Thamnophis proximus, commonly known as the western ribbon snake, is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species has six recognized subspecies.

Storeria hidalgoensis, commonly known as the Mexican yellow-bellied brown snake or the Mexican yellowbelly brown snake, is a nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico.

Lampropeltis webbi is a species of king snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico. Currently, there are only five known specimens, with one being a live snake.

Godman's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southern Mexico, and was first described by Albert Günther in 1894.

Thamnophis lineri, known commonly as Liner's garter snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

Rossman's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

Conant's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

Bogert's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

Sumichrast's garter snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico.

The Southern Durango spotted garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the state of Durango, Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican wandering garter snake</span> Species of snake

The Mexican wandering garter snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Mexico.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mendoza-Quijano, F.; Santos-Barrera, G. (2007). "Adelophis foxi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2007: e.T63728A12711297. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63728A12711297.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Thamnophis foxi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 July 2017.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Adelophis foxi, p. 93).

Further reading