Coelognathus
| Coelognathus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Trinket Snake (Coelognathus helena) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Coelognathus Fitzinger, 1843 |
Indonesian Ratsnake (Coelognathus subradiatus) in Baucau District, East Timor
Coelognathus is a genus of five ratsnakes that were formerly assigned to Elaphe. Based on morphological evidence and protein similarities, in 2001 Helfenberger re-validated the name Coelognathus that had originally been proposed by Leopold Fitzinger in 1843.[1] The distinction between Coelognathus and Elaphe was further supported by mitochondrial DNA sequence and additional morphological evidence in 2005.[2]
Species include:
- Philippine ratsnake (Coelognathus erythrurus) Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854
- Yellow-striped ratsnake (Coelognathus flavolineatus) Schlegel, 1837
- Trinket snake (Coelognathus helena) Daudin, 1803
- Copperhead ratsnake (Coelognathus radiata) Boie, 1827
- Indonesian ratsnake (Coelognathus subradiatus) Schlegel, 1837
References
- ↑ Helfenberger, N. (2001). "Phylogenetic relationships of Old World ratsnakes based on visceral organ topography, osteology, and allozyme variation". Russian Journal of Herpetology 8: 1–62.
- ↑ Utiger, U., Schätti, B., & Helfenberger, N. (2005). "The Oriental colubrine genus Coelognathus Fitzinger, 1843, and classification of Old and New World racers and ratsnakes (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae, Colubrinae)". Russian Journal of Herpetology 12 (1): 32–53.