| Lycodon chrysoprateros | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Lycodon |
| Species: | L. chrysoprateros |
| Binomial name | |
| Lycodon chrysoprateros Ota & Ross, 1994 | |
Lycodon chrysoprateros, also known as Ross's wolf snake, is a species of colubrid [2] snake found on the island of Dalupiri in the Philippines. [1]
The species name chrysoprateros is derived from the Greek words chrys, which means "gold," and prater which means "trader." The name was chosen by the biologists who described the snake to recognize H.G. Jarecki, the former chairman of the Mocatta Metals Corporation, who supported their work. [3]
The head of Lycodon chrysoprateros is distinct from the neck, and slightly flattened. It has pupils which are nearly circular, and its snout projects further forward than its lower jaw. The body is nearly cylindrical, being more rounded on the back and flattened on the belly. The rostral scale is large and triangular, extending backwards, and visible from above the snake. The dorsal surface of the snake is dark brown, without any patterning, and the ventral surface is ivory-yellow. A holotype for the species had a snout-to-vent length of 51.5 centimeters, and a tail-length of 21.2 centimeters, giving it a total length of 72.7 centimeters. Unlike other related species found in the area, it has no patterning on its back. [3]
L. chrysoprateros is a member of the genus Lycodon , a genus of snakes commonly known as wolf snakes. [4] The genus belongs to the snake family Colubridae, the largest snake family, with member species being found on every continent except Antarctica. [5]
The habitat and ecology of the species are poorly known. The three specimens used to describe the species were captured along a trail in the forest, and the species is known to be terrestrial. [1]
The species is definitively known only from Dalupiri Island in the Babuyan island group in the Philippines, where it was first observed in 1990. [1] [3] The known range of the species is thus only 52 square kilometers. The species may have also been observed on the nearby islands of Calayan and Camiguin Norte: however, these are yet to be confirmed. If they are, the known range will expand to 300 square kilometers. [1]
L. chrysoprateros is listed as "Critically endangered" in the IUCN Red List, due to the fact that its range is only 52 square kilometres (20 sq mi) on an island that is facing significant habitat decline. [1] Dalupiri Island has a highly fragmented forest which is declining further in size due to ranching activity. The nature of specific threats to the species remain poorly known, due to the species being poorly studied. [1]
Lycodon aulicus, commonly known as the Indian wolf snake or common wolf snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Early naturalists have suggested its resemblance to the venomous common krait as an instance of Batesian mimicry.
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Lycodon is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as wolf snakes. The Neo-Latin name Lycodon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning wolf and οδόν (odon) meaning tooth, and refers to the fang-like anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth. They are nonvenomous, but many members of this genus strongly resemble the venomous kraits in appearance, an example of Batesian mimicry.
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Lycodon alcalai, also known commonly as Alcala's wolf snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.
Lycodon bibonius, also known as Ota's wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake found on the islands of Camiguin Norte and Babuyan Claro in the Philippines.
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Lycodon butleri, also known commonly as Butler's wolf snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia.
Lycodon cardamomensis, also known as the Cardamom Mountains wolf snake, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake found in south-western Cambodia and eastern Thailand.
Lycodon cavernicolus, also known as Gua Wang Burma wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake found in peninsular Malaysia. It was first described in 2014.
Lycodon ruhstrati, also known as Ruhstrat's wolf snake, the mountain wolf snake, or the Formosa wolf snake, is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake found in Taiwan, southern and eastern China, and northern Vietnam.
Oligodon annulifer, also known as the ringed kukri snake, is a colubrid snake endemic to the island of Borneo.
