Melanophidium

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Melanophidium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Uropeltidae
Genus: Melanophidium
Günther, 1864
Synonyms
  • Melanophidium - Günther, 1864[1]
Common names: (none).

Melanophidium is a genus of non-venomous shield tail snakes found in southern India. Currently, 3 species are recognized.[2]

Contents

[edit] Geographic range

Found in southern India in the Western Ghats: in the Peermede Hills in Kerala and the Anamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu.[1]

[edit] Species

Species[2] Authority[2] Common name Geographic range[1]
M. bilineatum Beddome, 1870 Two-lined black shieldtail Southern India in the Western Ghats: in Peria and Tirhoot Peaks, west of Manantoddy.
M. punctatum Beddome, 1871 Beddome's black shiledtail Southern India in the Western Ghats: in Travancore (1200-1500 m elevation) and the Anamalai Hills, and in Telawadi, Goa Frontier.
M. wynaudenseT (Beddome, 1863) Indian black earth snake Southern India in the Western Ghats: in Manantoddy District and Coorg, at 900-1500 m elevation.

*) Not including the nominate subspecies (typical form).
T) Type species.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d 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 c Melanophidium (TSN 634400). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 1 September 2007.

[edit] External links