| Macrelaps | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Lamprophiidae |
| Genus: | Macrelaps Boulenger, 1896 |
| Species: | M. microlepidotus |
| Binomial name | |
| Macrelaps microlepidotus (Günther, 1860) | |
| Synonyms | |
Macrelaps (or Natal black snake) [3] is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) venomous snake species, M. microlepidotus, endemic to South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. [4]
Maxillary short, with four moderately large teeth, followed by a very large grooved fang situated below the eye. Anterior mandibular teeth enlarged, third to fifth longest. Head small, not distinct from neck. Eye minute, with round pupil. Nasal divided. No loreal. No preocular. Prefrontal entering the eye. Body cylindrical; tail short. Dorsal scales smooth, without pits, in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals rounded; subcaudals single. [2]
Macrelaps microlepidotus is completely black dorsally and ventrally.
It may attain 85 cm (33+1⁄2 in) in total length, with a tail 10.5 cm (4+1⁄8 in) long.
Smooth dorsal scales arranged in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals 163–166; anal plate entire; subcaudals 37–48, also entire.
Portion of rostral visible from above nearly half as long as its distance from the frontal. Internasals shorter than the prefrontals. Frontal as long as broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout, much shorter than the parietals. One small postocular. Temporals 1+2. Seven upper labials, third and fourth entering the eye, fifth largest. Three or four lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shield. Anterior chin shields a little longer than the posterior chin shields. [2]
Günther's black snake, Bothrolycus ater, is a species of poorly known lamprophiid snake endemic to central Africa. It is the only member of the genus, Bothrolycus. This snake is notable as one of the few snakes with notable sexual dimorphism, as well as possessing a small pit anterior to the eye. While superficially similar to the thermal pits of vipers, its function remains unknown.
Brachyophis is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged venomous snake species, Brachyophis revoili, commonly known as Revoil's short snake, which is endemic to Eastern Africa. Three subspecies are recognized as being valid.
Elapotinus is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged snake species, Elapotinus picteti. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is also known commonly as Jan's snake in honor of Italian herpetologist Giorgio Jan. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Hypoptophis is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) venomous snake species, Hypoptophis wilsonii. The species, which is endemic to Africa, is in the subfamily Aparallactinae of the family Lamprophiidae. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
The Cameroon racer, Poecilopholis cameronensis, is a species of fangless venomous snake endemic to Africa. Poecilopholis is a monotypic genus created for this species.
Aparallactus lineatus, or the lined centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae.
Aparallactus niger is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Western Africa.
Micrelaps boettgeri, commonly known as Boettger's two-headed snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Micrelaps vaillanti, also known commonly as the black-headed micrelaps or the Somali two-headed snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Polemon acanthias, or Reinhardt's snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon barthii, or the Guinea snake-eater, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Polemon collaris, or the collared snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon gabonensis, or the Gaboon snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon gracilis, or the graceful snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon neuwiedi, called commonly the Ivory Coast snake-eater or Neuwied's polemon, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to West Africa.
Polemon notatus is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Aparallactus lunulatus, or the reticulated centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae, which is endemic to Africa.
Aparallactus modestus, or the western forest centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family,
Aparallactus nigriceps, or the Mozambique centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae.
Aparallactus werneri, or the Usambara centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania.
