Bolyeria

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Bolyeria
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Bolyeriidae
Genus: Bolyeria
Gray, 1842
Species: B. multocarinata
Binomial name
Bolyeria multocarinata
(F. Boie, 1827)
Synonyms
  • Bolyeria - Gray, 1842
  • Uroleptes - Fitzinger, 1843
  • Platygaster - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
  • Bolieria - Boulenger, 1893[1]
  • Eryx Multocarinata - F. Boie, 1827
  • Tortrix Pseudo-Eryx - Schlegel, 1837 (typographical error)
  • Bolyeria Pseudo-Eryx - Gray, 1842
  • Platygaster multicarinatus - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
  • Bolyeria multicarinata - Gray, 1849
  • Bolyeria multicarinata - Boulenger, 1893
  • Bolyeria multocarinata - Stimson, 1969[1]
Common names: Round Island burrowing boa.[2]

Bolyeria is a monotypic genus[3] created for the species B. multocarinata, which was endemic to Mauritius. The species was last seen on Round Island in 1975 and is now likely extinct. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]

Contents

[edit] Description

This likely extinct endemic had an extremely small distribution of only 1.5 square kilometres. Its habitats were hardwood forests and palm savanna. It reached about 1 m in length and was brownish in color. It was characterized by a pointed snout and by a cylinder-shaped body and head. It was already rare by 1949 and was last seen in 1975. Reasons for its extinction are habitat loss caused by soil erosion due to overgrazing by goats and rabbits.[5]

[edit] Geographic range

In the past, Bolyeria was found in Mauritius on Gunner's Quoin, Flat Island, Mauritius, Round Island and Ile de la Passe.[1]. It survived the longest on Round Island, where its presence was last recorded in 1975.[5][1] The type locality given is "Port Jackson" (in error).[1]

[edit] Conservation status

This species is classified as Extinct (EX) on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (v2.3, 1994).[2] This means that there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Year assessed: 1996.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ^ a b Bolyeria multocarinata at IUCN Red List. Accessed 18 August 2007.
  3. ^ Bolyeria (TSN 202191). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 August 2007.
  4. ^ Bolyeria multocarinata (TSN 202192). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 August 2007.
  5. ^ a b Day, D. 1981. The Doomsday Book of Animals. Ebury Press, London. ISBN 0-670-27987-0
  6. ^ 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3)IUCN Red List. Accessed 18 August 2007.

[edit] External links