Amphiesma leucomystax

Amphiesma leucomystax
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Natricinae
Genus: Amphiesma
Species: A. leucomystax
Binomial name
Amphiesma leucomystax
David et al., 2007[2]

Amphiesma leucomystax, commonly known as the white-lipped keelback, is a species of nonvenomous natricine snake found in central Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.[1][3]

Etymology

The specific name, leucomystax, is Greek for "white mustache.[3]

Biology

This snake, though primarily an upland species, is associated with both lowland and montane evergreen monsoon forests. It can be found near streams in mixed dipterocarp and pine forests. More rarely, it has been found in secondary forest.[1] Its diet includes frogs and other small animals.[4]

Description

Amphiesma leucomystax grow to 406 mm (16.0 in) in snout–vent length and 595 mm (23.4 in) in total length.[3] It has a beautiful yellow-white stripe that sweeps along its head, and red dots cover its body.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Stuart, B., Thy, N. & Nguyen, T.Q. (2012). "Amphiesma leucomystax". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  2. ↑ David, Patrick; Raoul H. Bain; Nguyen Quang Trong; Nikolai L. Orlov; Gernot Vogel; Vu Ngoc Thanh; and Thomas Ziegler (2007). "A new species of the natricine snake genus Amphiesma from the Indochinese Region (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae)". Zootaxa 1462: 41–60.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Amphiesma leucomystax at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 September 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thompson, Christian (2008-12-15). "First Contact in the Greater Mekong" (pdf). World Wildlife Fund. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-20.

External links

News related to Scientists discover 11 new species of life in Vietnam at Wikinews