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Anilios zonula ELLIS, 2016

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Higher TaxaTyphlopidae (Asiatyphlopinae), Typhlopoidea, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes)
Subspecies 
Common NamesE: West Kimberley Blindsnake 
SynonymAnilios zonula ELLIS 2016 
DistributionAustralia (Storr Island, Augustus Island, Western Australia)

Type locality: Storr Island, Western Australia, Australia (15°57’8.71’’S, 124°33’49.54’’E; datum = WGS84.  
Reproductionoviparous (manual imputation, fide Zimin et al. 2022) 
TypesHolotype: WAM R171667 (Fig. 1), adult female, collected on 20 May 2009 by V. Kessner. Fixed in 10% formalin, stored in 70% ethanol at WAM. Paratype: WAM R106250, subadult female collected from Augustus Island, Western Australia, Australia (15816012.0000S, 124833028.8000E), on 12 July 1990 by A. Sanders. Fixed in 10% formalin, stored in 70% ethanol at WAM. 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: A moderately slender and elongate Anilios, total length to 187 mm. Distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of midbody scales in 18 rows, total dorsal scales 446–482, dorsal body scales 431–471; snout bluntly rounded in dorsal and profile view (Fig. 2); rostral scale large and ovate about one-half of head width, with posterior edge terminating anterior to level of eyes; nasal scale divided, nostril positioned closer to rostral than preocular, distance between nostril and rostral about one- half of nostril width; nasal cleft originating from second supralabial, extending dorsally and anteriorly to reach nostril and thence anteriorly to reach rostral; eye inconspicuous, equal to or slightly smaller than width of nostril, positioned under preocular scale; tail tip bluntly rounded, terminal tail spine absent; coloration purplish–pink to pale pink, darkest anteriorly, gradually becoming lighter posteriorly.


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CommentHabitat: Both specimens were collected from under sandstone rocks. R171667 was collected from a rocky slope in a vine thicket (Ellis 2016: 276). 
EtymologyThe specific epithet is from the Latin word zo ̄nula meaning ‘‘little belt,’’ in reference to the narrow and slender appearance of the species. Used as a noun in apposition. 
References
  • Ellis, Ryan J. 2016. A New Species of Blindsnake (Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae: Anilios) from the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Herpetologica 72 (3): 271-278. - get paper here
  • Zimin, A., Zimin, S. V., Shine, R., Avila, L., Bauer, A., Böhm, M., Brown, R., Barki, G., de Oliveira Caetano, G. H., Castro Herrera, F., Chapple, D. G., Chirio, L., Colli, G. R., Doan, T. M., Glaw, F., Grismer, L. L., Itescu, Y., Kraus, F., LeBreton 2022. A global analysis of viviparity in squamates highlights its prevalence in cold climates. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 00, 1–16 - get paper here
 
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