Hypnale walli

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Hypnale walli
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Hypnale
Species:
H. walli
Binomial name
Hypnale walli
Gloyd, 1977
Synonyms [1]
  • Ancistrodon hypnale
    Boulenger, 1896 (part)
  • Ancistrodon millardi
    Wall, 1921 (part?)
  • Ancistrodon nepa
    M.A. Smith, 1943 (part)
  • Agkistrodon nepa
    Deraniyagala, 1955 (part?)
  • Hypnale walli
    Gloyd, 1977

Hypnale walli, or Wall's hump-nosed viper, [2] is a venomous pitviper species endemic to Sri Lanka. The smallest member of its genus, it is distinguished by having a strongly upturned nose and lower scale counts. No subspecies are currently recognized. [3]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, walli, is in honor of Ceylonese-born British herpetologist Frank Wall. [4]

Description

The smallest member of the genus Hypnale , the only male with a complete tail measured 30.5 cm (12.0 in) in total length with a tail of 4.3 cm (1+34 in) (14% of total length), while the largest female was 28.3 cm (11+14 in) in total length with a tail of 3.5 cm (1+12 in) (12% of total length). The body is stoutly built. [2]

This species is distinguished from H. hypnale by a snout that has a strongly upturned tip. This is due to an extended rostral scale, which is immediately followed by a raised wart-like hump covered with 10 minute scales. Also, the hemipenes have clearly visible spines. It is distinguished from H. nepa by its lower scale counts. [2]

The scalation includes 17 rows of dorsal scales at midbody that usually lack keels, 7 supralabial scales, 120–126 ventral scales, and 28–33 subcaudal scales. [2]

Regarding the color pattern, Gloyd and Conant (1990) examined a number of preserved specimens, mentioning that some were so faded as to render the pattern almost invisible. One of these, however, had a faint narrow stripe down the center of its back. In general, the color pattern is described as consisting of a series of 18–24 dorsolateral small subtriangular brown blotches, pointing upwards. These are slightly darker than the ground color, except for the upper edges that may be considerably darker. A pair of dark brown blotches are present on the side of the head, along with a pair of dark stripes curving backward on the sides of the neck. The ventral surface is strongly flecked and dappled with grayish brown. [2]

Geographic range

Hypnale walli is found in Sri Lanka. The type locality given is "Kanneliya Forest, Udugama Southern Province, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], elevation approximately 1,000 ft [300 m]". [1]

Taxonomy

According to Gloyd and Conant (1990), the taxonomic status of this species is unclear. Although described here as a species, it may eventually be classified as a subspecies of H. nepa , or even as the minimum extreme for H. nepa with regard to its low ventral and subcaudal scale counts, as well as its relatively short tail. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gloyd HK, Conant R (1990). Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review. Oxford, Ohio: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 614 pp. 52 plates. LCCN 89-50342. ISBN   0-916984-20-6.
  3. "Hypnale walli". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  4. 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. (Hypnale walli, p. 279).

Further reading