Liotyphlops argaleus DIXON & KOFRON, 1984
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Liotyphlops argaleus?
Liotyphlops argaleus
We have no photos, try to find some by Google images search: 
| Higher Taxa | Anomalepididae, Typhlopoidea, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Liotyphlops argaleus DIXON & KOFRON 1984: 261 Liotyphlops argaleus — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 51 Liotyphlops argaleus — FREIRE et al. 2007 Liotyphlops argaleus — WALLACH et al. 2014: 397 |
| Distribution | Colombia (Cundinamarca) Type locality: “La Selva, Cundinamarca, Colombia”. |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: MCZ 66383 (in catalogue as 67933) |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: “An averaged sized Liotyphlops of about 200 mm in total length, distinguished from all other Liotyphlops, except L. anops, by having a total of four scales contacting the posterior edge of the prefrontal, rather than three or less. It differs from L. anops by having fewer than 534 dorsal scales, rather than 547 or more (L. anops), and by having five scales in the first vertical row (six in L. anops), and by having two scales bordering the posterior nasal (three in L. anops).” (Dixon & Kofron 1984) Description of Holotype: “Adult, total length, 266 mm; tail length, 9 mm; 9 head width, 3.0 mm; anterior body, midbody and posterior body widths, 3.0 mm, 3.9 mm, 3.5 mm, respectively; midtail width, 3.2 mm; maximum rotral width, 1.3 mm; horizontal rostral length, 1.8 mm. Scales around body 26-22-22, smooth; dorsals number 482; ventrals number 460; subcaudals number 24; spralabials 4 -4; infralabials 3-3; four scales border posterior edge of prefrontal, including the frontal; two scales (including second labial) bordering the posterior edge of the posterior section of the nasal scale (fig. 2). Colour: uniform dark brown with the posterior one third of each scale with a transverse blackish brown spot; anterior two thirds of each scale dark gray; anal area and caudal spine whitish; rostral and nasal areas pinksih white; eye spot visible.” (Dixon & Kofron 1984) Variation: “The holotype and three paratypes vary as follows; The number of dorsal scales vary from 482-533 (x̅ = 509.3). The number of scale rows around body vary from 26-22-22 (3), to 28-24-22 (1). The total length varies from 101 to 261 mm, and the diameter of midbody varies from 2.2 to 4.1 mm. The total length divided by diameter of the midbody varies from 45.9 to 68.6 (x̅ = 55.4) times. The head scale arrangements of the paratypes are identical to the holotype. Colour: The two paratopotypes are similar to the holotype, but the ICN (WWL) specimen (recently collected) differs by having the dorsal pigmented rows somewhat freckled, with the pigment spreading posteriorly, in a fan-like fashion, rather than the solid pigment distributed transversely across the posterior one third of each scale. The ICN (WWL) specimen has 16 dorsal rows pigmented. The ventral rows are pinkish and without obvious pigment. Colour in life (W. W. LAMAR, pers. com.): an overall reddish pink with slighlty lighter head; not much difference between dorsal and ventral colour. Mr. W. W. LAMAR (pers. com.) stated that the specimen from 16 km SW Bogotá was found buried in the soil beneath a rock on a hillside covered with Eucalyptus trees, very near the Rio Bogotá. It was captured at 1630 hours, 18 January 1980; on a sunny afternoon.” (Dixon & Kofron 1984) |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | Named after the Greek word “argaleos”, meaning troublesome, vexatious. |
| References |
|
| External links |