Oligodon russelius, commonly known as Russell's kukri snake,[2] is a species of snake in the familyColubridae. The species, which is native to South Asia, is very closely related to Oligodon arnensis, from which it has been recently separated. The specific epithet, russelius, honours British herpetologist Patrick Russell, one of whose illustrations possibly depicts this species.[3]
Oligodon russelius was recognised as a distinct species in 2022 after a morphological and biogeographical evaluation of the Oligodon arnensisspecies complex. The populations of Oligodon arnensis (sensu lato) in the northern regions of India have now been assigned as Oligodon russelius (sensu stricto), distinguished from the southern population, which remains Oligodon arnensis.[3]
Ecology
Distribution
Oligodon russelius is found in Nepal, Northern India, North-East Pakistan, and possibly parts of Bangladesh.[4]
The snake is oviparous, like many other colubrids. A clutch contains four or five remarkably elongate eggs with measured dimensions of 36x3x10 mm. The snout-to-vent length of the hatchlings are around 181–193mm (7.1–7.6in). The hatchlings are usually brighter in color, with faded and less prominent cross stripes, but with distinct white margins. The juveniles have been mostly observed in April to July and during the winter.[3]
Conservation
The species Oligodon russelius is of common occurrence and has a widespread range. The risk of extinction is regarded as low. The snake often gets killed by humans, particularly because of misidentification as a krait, due to the presence of bands. It is also often reported as road kill.[3]
Gallery
Patric Russell's original depiction of "Coluber russelius" (Fig. a)
Daudin, F.M. (1803). Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière des Reptiles; Ouvrage faisant suite aux Œvres de Leclerc de Buffon, et partie du Cours complete d'Histoire naturelle rédigé par C.S. Sonnini, membre de plusieurs Sociétés savantes. Tome sixième [Volume 6]. Paris: F. Dufart. 447 pp. (Coluber russelius, new species, pp. 395–397). (in French and Latin).
Jan, [G]. (1865). Iconographie générale des ophidiens. Onzième livraison. [Illustrated by Ferdinando Sordelli]. Paris: J.-B. Ballière et Fils. index + Plates I–VI. (Simotes russelii, Plate VI, figure 1A). (in French).
Mirza, Z.A.; Bhardwaj, V.K.; Patel, H. (2021). "A new species of snake of the genus Oligodon Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Reptilia, Serpentes) from the Western Himalayas". Evolutionary Sysyematics. 5 (2): 335–345. (Oligodon churahensis, new species).
Russell, P. (1796). An Account of Indian Serpents, Collected on the Coast of Coromandel; Containing Descriptions and Drawings of each Species, Together with Experiments and Remarks on their Several Poisons. London: Court of Directors of the East India Company. (Printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for George Nicol, Bookseller to his Majesty). viii + 91 pp. + Plates I–XLVI.
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