Thamnosophis martae (GLAW, FRANZEN & VENCES, 2005)
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Thamnosophis martae
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| Higher Taxa | Pseudoxyrhophiidae, Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Liopholidophis martae GLAW, FRANZEN & VENCES 2005: 84 Bibilava martae — GLAW et al. 2007 Thamnosophis martae — CADLE & INEICH 2008 Thamnosophis martae — WALLACH et al. 2014: 727 |
| Distribution | N Madagascar (Antsiranana) Type locality: Montagne des Francais (12°19'34''E, 49°20'09'') ca 300 m elevation, Antsiranana Prov. N Madagascar, Distr. Montagne des Francais |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: ZSM 253/2004 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A species of the Liopholidophis stumpffi group that differs from all species of the L. sexlineatus group (L. rhadinaea, L. dolicocercus, L. grandidieri, L. sexlineatus, L. varius) by 19 rows of dorsal scales (vs. 17), more ventrals (185 vs. 139-179), colouration, and the presence of apical pits (absent in all species of the L. sexlineatus group). Liopholidophis martae sp. n. differs from all species of the Liopholidophis stumpffi group (L. stumpffi, L. epistibes, L. lateralis, L. infrasignatus) by a higher number of ventrals (185 vs. 141-169), and from L. epistibes, L. lateralis, L. infrasignatus, and the males of L. stumpffi by a higher number of subcaudals (109 vs. 62-104). Moreover, it differs from L. stumpffi by a larger maximum size (847 mm vs. 711 mm total length). The new species differs distinctly from L. lateralis by the lack of a well defined continuous light dorsolateral stripe. The general dorsal colouration of L. martae sp. n. resembles those of most individuals of L. stumpffi and L. epistibes in having narrow but more or less distinctive light dorsolateral stripes on the neck and anterior body which gradually fade posteriorly (see Figs. 4-5). However, it differs from L. stumpffi by its extensive dark spots and stripes on the venter (vs. immaculate) and by the position of the postocular bar, which diagonally crosses the ultimate supralabial in L. martae (vs. restricted to upper edge of ultimate supralabial: Fig. 4; see also CADLE 1996: Fig. 8B). From L. epistibes it differs by its short postocular bar which ends on the ultimate supralabial (vs. usually confluent with dark lower lateral stripe on side of neck: CADLE 1996: Fig. 8A). (Glaw et al. 2005) |
| Comment | L. martae belongs to the L. stumpffi group and is characterized by 19 dorsal rows, 185 ventrals, 109 subcaudals, and colouration (lack of well defined, continuous light dorsal stripes, presence of extensive dark spots and stripes on venter, postocular bar extends diagonally across the ultimate supralabial). |
| Etymology | Named after Marta Puente Molins “in recognition of her invaluable help in the field.” |
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