Dasypeltis albigularis TIUTENKO, HELLER & BATES, 2026
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Dasypeltis albigularis?
Dasypeltis albigularis
We have no photos, try to find some by Google images search: 
| Higher Taxa | Colubridae, Colubrinae, Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: White-throated Egg-eater |
| Synonym | Dasypeltis albigularis TIUTENKO, HELLER & BATES 2026 |
| Distribution | Ethiopia (Harenna Forest) Type locality: Ethiopia; approximately 2 km south of Welmel river bridge, south of Hawo village, Harenna Forest; 6°35'44"N, 39°35'43"E; alt. 1659 m. |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: ZSM 629/2025, female, 28 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; killed by local villagers on a road. Paratypes: (n=6) Ethiopia • 1 ♀; glade south of Hawo village, Harenna Forest; 6°31'26"N, 39°38'31"E; alt. 1608 m; 31 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; ZSM 630/2025 • 1 juv.; Manyate village, Harenna Forest; 6°35'N, 39°35'E; alt. 1550 m; 28 Feb.–2 Mar. 2026; A. Tiutenko leg.; hatched in captivity; ZSM 251/2026 • 1 juv.; same data as for preceding; ZSM 252/2026 • 1 juv.; same data as for preceding; ZSM 253/2026 • 1 juv.; same data as for preceding; ZSM 254/2026 • 1 juv.; same data as for preceding; ZSM 255/2026. Additional referred material: Ethiopia • 1 juv.; Manyate village, Harenna Forest; 6°35'N, 39°35'E; alt. 1550 m; 5 Mar. 2026; A. Tiutenko leg.; failed to hatch from an egg deposited in captivity; ZSM 256/2026. Live specimens: Ethiopia • 1 ♀; Manyate village, Harenna Forest; 6°29'07"N, 39°44'44"E; alt. 1554 m; 30 May 2019; A. Tiutenko leg.; ZSM 94/2019 • 1 ♂︎; Manyate village, Harenna Forest; 6°35'N, 39°35'E; alt. 1550 m; 26 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-002 (field number) • 1 ♂︎; same data as for preceding; HFE2025-003 (field number) • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 2 June 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-050 (field number) • 1 ♀; south of Hawo village, Harenna Forest, in a glade in the forest while crossing a road after sunset; 6°31'34"N, 39°38'36"E; alt. 1663 m; 30 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-023 (field number) • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 31 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-031 (field number); • 1 ♂︎; south of Hawo village, Harenna Forest, in a glade in the forest while crossing a road after sunset; 6°31'26"N, 39°38'31"E; alt. 1608 m; 31 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-032 (field number); • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 31 May 2025; A. Tiutenko leg.; HFE2025-33 (field number). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A medium-sized Dasypeltis (females approximately 90 cm in total length, males less than 60 cm). Dorsally usually uniformly dark-grey or blackish, seldom reddish-brown with faint dark streaks; or light yellow-brown with a dense and irregular pattern of small brown saddles and narrow brown bars on the flanks, and numerous small white markings. Interstitial skin light grey, sometimes bluish, especially in adults. Anterior infralabials, gulars, chin shields and 20–62 anterior ventral plates mostly white, other ventrals gradually transition to ash-grey. Dorsal scales arranged around midbody in 20–23 rows. Scales of the first row of dorsals on either side of the body very weakly keeld or smooth and much larger than other dorsal scales. Scales of the second row on either side of body weakly keeled. Other dorsal scales each with a moderate median keel and a pair of apical pits distally. Head with fine white spots and speckles. Supralabials 7, 3rd and 4th bordering orbit. Postocular single. Frontal shield pitted in only one row around edges. Inter-prefrontal sulcus moderately marked, not deep. Prefrontal scales longer and larger overall than internasals. Rostral shield visible from above head. (Tiutenko et al. 2026) Unfortunately we had to temporarily remove additional information as this was scraped by multiple AI companies who sell that data. However, these details, e.g. detailed descriptions (about less than half a page) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us if you need any of this material. |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | Named after Latin ‘albigularis’ = ‘white-throated’, referring to the pale ventral colouration on the lower parts of the head and anterior parts of the body of the new species. |
| References |
|
| External links |