Rhinophis fergusonianus
| Rhinophis fergusonianus | |
|---|---|
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| Illustration from the original species description published in 1896 by G. A. Boulenger | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Uropeltidae |
| Genus: | Rhinophis |
| Species: | R. fergusonianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhinophis fergusonianus Boulenger, 1896[2] | |
Rhinophis fergusonianus, commonly known as the Cardamom Hills earth snake, is a species of uropeltid snake endemic to the Western Ghats, India.[3][1]
Etymology
The specific name, fergusonianus, is in honor of Scottish zoologist Harold S. Ferguson.[4]
Geographic range
R. fergusonianus is only known from the type specimen collected in the Cardamom Hills in Travancore, a part of the southern Western Ghats in modern Kerala, southeastern India.[3][1]
Description
The holotype measures 32 cm (13 in) in total length, 40 times its width. The eyes are very small. The snout is acutely pointed. The body is longitudinally striated. Its blackish above, the sides are white, dotted and spotted with black. The belly is white, with black dots and two series of large black spots, partially confluent into a zigzag band. The caudal disc is black and edged all round with yellow.[2]
R. fergusonianus is viviparous.[3]
Habitat and conservation
Habitats and ecology of this species, and threats to it, are unknown.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C.; Vijayakumar, S.P.; Ganesan, S.R. (2013). "Rhinophis fergusonianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T178234A1528417. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- 1 2 Boulenger, G. A. (1896). "Description of a new earth snake from Travancore (Rhinophis fergusonianus)". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 10: 236. (+1 plate)
- 1 2 3 Rhinophis fergusonianus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 January 2017.
- ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhinophis fergusonianus, p. 89).
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Further reading
- Smith MA (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Rhinophis fergusonianus, pp. 90–91).