Atractus medusa PASSOS, MUESES-CISNEROS, LYNCH & FERNANDES, 2009
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Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Dipsadinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | |
Synonym | Atractus medusa PASSOS, MUESES-CISNEROS, LYNCH & FERNANDES 2009 Atractus medusa — WALLACH et al. 2014: 76 |
Distribution | Colombia (Cauca: Gorgona Island) Type locality: Playa Blanca, Gorgona Island (03º00’N, 78º12’W, ca. 0 m elevation), municipality of Guapi, department of Cauca, Colombia |
Reproduction | |
Types | Holotype: IAvH 2981, adult male, collected by J. V. Rueda (field number VR 1213). |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Atractus medusa is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: (1) 17/17/17 smooth dorsal scale rows; (2) two postoculars; (3) loreal long; (4) temporals 1+2; (5) seven supralabials, third and fourth contacting orbit; (6) seven infralabials, first four contacting chinshields; (7) five maxillary teeth; (8) three gular scale rows; (9) two preventrals; (10) 133 ventrals in the single male; (11) 46 subcaudal; (12) dorsum beige with light occipital band and round dark brown blotches, decreasing in size posteriorly; (13) venter cream with diffuse dark brown dots concentrated posteriorly; (14) moderate body size, male with 325 mm SVL; (15) long tail (18.4% SVL); (16) hemipenis strongly bilobed, semicapitate, and semicalyculate. |
Comment | Distribution: not in Ecuador fide O. Torres-Carvajal, pers. comm. 8 Sep 2016. Reports from Ecuador (Cisnero-Heredia & Romero 2015) most likely represent A. iridescens (Arteaga et al. 2017). |
Etymology | Named after the female monster Medusa (Greek: µέδουσα) of Greek mythology. According to the Greek writer Hesiod, Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of the gods Phorcys and Ceto, their home being on the farthest side of the western ocean. Medusa had snakes for hair and her look could petrify anyone looking into her eyes, but was beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus. Herein the word alludes to the type locality of the species, Gorgona Island, an island on the western portion of the genus’ range. |
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