Tropidophis melanurus

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Tropidophis melanurus
Cuban Giant Trope (Tropidophis melanurus) (8577519434).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Tropidophiidae
Genus: Tropidophis
Species:
T. melanurus
Binomial name
Tropidophis melanurus
(Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms [2]

Tropidophis melanurus, commonly known as the dusky dwarf boa, [3] Cuban wood snake, or Cuban giant dwarf boa, is a nonvenomous dwarf boa species found mainly in Cuba. There are three subspecies that are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies described here. [3]

Contents

Description

Adults of T. melanurus grow to an average of 32 to 39 inches (81 to 99 cm) in total length (including tail). [4]

Geographic range

T. melanurus is found in Cuba, as well as on some nearby islands, including Cayos de San Felipe (Cayo Real), Isla de la Juventud and Navassa Island. The type locality given is "l'île de Cuba." [2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. melanurus is forest. [1]

Diet

T. melanurus preys upon amphibians (frogs), reptiles (lizards), birds, and mammals (rodents). [1]

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of T. melanurus is unclear: it has been described as oviparous, [1] and as ovoviviparous. [5]

Subspecies

Subspecies [3] Taxon author [3] Common nameGeographic range
Tropidophis melanurus dysodes Schwartz & Thomas, 1960 Type locality: "one km N. of La Coloma, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba.
Tropidophis melanurus ericksoniSchwartz & Thomas, 1960Type locality: "Bibijagua, Isla de Piños, Habana Province, Cuba."
Tropidophis melanurus melanurus(Schlegel, 1837)Type locality: "l'île de Cuba."

Etymology

The subspecific name, ericksoni, is in honor of Edwin B. Erickson who assisted Schwartz in fieldwork in 1957. [6]

Related Research Articles

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The Tropidophiidae, common name dwarf boas or thunder snakes, are a family of nonvenomous snakes found from Mexico and the West Indies south to southeastern Brazil. These are small to medium-sized fossorial snakes, some with beautiful and striking color patterns. Currently, two living genera, containing 34 species, are recognized. Two other genera were once considered to be tropidophiids but are now known to be more closely related to the boids, and are classified in the subfamily Ungaliophiinae. There are a relatively large number of fossil snakes that have been described as tropidophiids, but which of these are more closely related to Tropidophis and Trachyboa and which are more closely related to Ungaliophis and Exiliboa is unknown.

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Tropidophis, common name wood snakes or West Indian wood snakes, is a genus of dwarf boas endemic to the West Indies and South America. Currently, either 17 or 33 species are recognized, depending on the authority.

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Tropidophis bucculentus, also known commonly as the Navassa Island dwarf boa, is a nonvenomous dwarf boa species endemic to Navassa Island in the Caribbean Sea. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuban boa</span> Species of snake

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor</span> Special species of snake

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Tropidophis feicki, also known commonly as the broad-banded dwarf boa, the broad-banded trope, and Feick's dwarf boa, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Tropidophiidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.

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<i>Tropidophis taczanowskyi</i> Species of snake

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fong, A. (2021). "Tropidophis melanurus ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Tropidophis melanurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  4. ↑ Burnie, David; Wilson, Don E. (2001). Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. ISBN   0-7894-7764-5.
  5. ↑ Species "Tropidophis melanurus " at The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  6. ↑ Schwartz A, Thomas R (1960).

Further reading



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