Indotyphlops loveridgei (CONSTABLE, 1949)
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Indotyphlops loveridgei?
Indotyphlops loveridgei
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| Higher Taxa | Typhlopidae (Asiatyphlopinae), Typhlopoidea, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Loveridge's Worm Snake |
| Synonym | Typhlops loveridgei CONSTABLE 1949: 111 Typhlops loveridgei — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 108 Typhlops loveridgei — DAS 2003 Typhlops loveridgei — WALLACH et al. 2014: 765 Indotyphlops loveridgei — HEDGES et al. 2014 |
| Distribution | N India Type locality: “probably from North lndia” |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: MCZ 2283. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis. Differs from T. foweri Boulenger, of Siam, in that the preocular is as broad as (not narrower than) the ocular, which is in contact with the third and fourth (not third only) labials; it also lacks the small semi-subocular of floweri which in that species separates the ocular from the fourth labial. It further differs from floweri in range and color. Differs from T. porrecta Stoliezka in having the preocular in contact with the third (not second and third) labial; nasal completely (not incompletely) divided; diameter of body 83 (not 49 to 60) times into the total length. Description: Snout rounded, prominent; rostral breadth about two-fifths the width of the head, not extending to an imaginary line connecting the oculars; nostrils lateral; nasals separated behind the rostral, completely divided, the cleft proceeding from the preocular; the preocular as broad as the ocular and in contact with the third labial only; ocular in contact with the third and fourth labials; eye hidden; four upper labials. Midbody scale-rows 18. Diameter of body included 83 times in the total length. Tail ending in a point. Color. Above, uniform light brown. Below, paler, especially around the mouth and anus. Size. Total length of type, 208 mm.; head and body 204.5 mm.; tail 3.5 mm.; diameter at midbody 2.5 mm. The following key can be used to distinguish the three forms: Snout rounded; rostral one-third to one-half width of head; nasals separated behind rostral; midbody scale-rows 18. 1a. Preocular narrower than ocular, in contact with second and third labials, ocular in contact with third labial only, being separated from fourth by a small semisubocular; nasal completely divided; diameter of body 85 times in total length; range: Siam; color blackish with snout and anal region yellowish > floweri. 1b. Preocular as broad as ocular; ocular in contact with third and fourth labials; color paler than in floweri. Go to 2: 2a. Preocular in contact with third labial only; nasal completely divided; diameter of body 83 times in total length; range: ? northern India > loveridgei. 2b. Preocular in contact with second and third labials; nasal incompletely divided; diameter of body 49-60 times in total length; range: Himalayas and Burma south to Ceylon (fide Malcolm Smith, 1943, p. 46) > porrecta. Though approaching mira and ceylonica the new species is not closely related to either. (Constable 1949) |
| Comment | Distribution: Not in India fide Mohapatra et al. 2024 (ZSI checklist). The type “was shipped with a specimen of T. diardii from "North India", and at the time diardii was not known from that area, so the locality was considered dubious. But now diardii has been collected in that northern region of India and Pakistan, so that argument by association is invalid.” (J. Boundy, pers. comm., 23 Jan 2025). |
| Etymology | Named after Arthur Loveridge (1891-1980), American herpetologist. |
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