Cerberus microlepis BOULENGER, 1896
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Cerberus microlepis?
Cerberus microlepis
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| Higher Taxa | Homalopsidae, Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Lake Buhi Bockadam, Dog-faced Water Snake |
| Synonym | Cerberus cinereus GRAY 1849:64 (in part) Cerberus microlepis BOULENGER 1896: 18 Hurria microlepis — TAYLOR 1922: 114 Cerberus microlepis — DARNS et al. 2000 Cerberus microlepis — MURPHY et al. 2012 Cerberus microlepis — MURPHY & VORIS 2014: 12 Cerberus microlepis — WALLACH et al. 2014: 155 |
| Distribution | Philippines (Luzon: restricted to Lake Buhi) Type locality: "Philippines." [Lake Buhi, ~13°26’N 123°31’E] |
| Reproduction | ovovivparous |
| Types | Syntypes: BMNH 1946.1.7.24–25 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Cerberus microlepis can be distinguished from all other members of the genus by its 27 to 31 scale rows at midbody, all other species have 21 to 25 scale rows at mid-body; the imbricate plate-like scales on the crown have a slightly thickened appearance; last upper labial is horizontally divided; and the venter is mottled. Cerberus australis has 23 scale rows at mid-body; lacks keels anterior to the angle of the jaw and the first labial does not contact the loreal (it does in microlepsis). Cerberus dunsoni has 23 scale rows at mid body, rounded juxtaposed scales on the crown, and a uniform black venter. Cerberus rynchops has 25 scale rows at mid body (rarely 23); keeled scales on the crown of the head anterior to the angle of the jaw, and the last two upper labials are horizontally divided. Cerberus schneiderii usually has 23 scale rows at mid-body (rarely 21 or 25), the last upper labial is horizontally divided [MURPHY et al. 2012]. |
| Comment | Habitat: This is a freshwater species. ALFARO et al. (2004) suggest that C. microlepis may prove to be an isolated freshwater ecotype of C. rynchops rather than a separate species. Lake Buhi, the type locality and only known locality of the species was formed in 1641 by an earthquake that collapsed the side of Mt Iriga and formed a dam (Alfaro et al. 2004). |
| Etymology | Named after the small (Greek ”micros”) scales (Greek “lepis”), possibly referring to the fragmented frontal scale, usually composed of small scales (Murphy 2007: 69). |
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