Liodytes alleni (GARMAN, 1874)
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Liodytes alleni
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| Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Natricinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Striped Crayfish Snake |
| Synonym | Helicops alleni GARMAN 1874: 92 Helicops alleni — GARMAN 1884: 34 Helicops alleni — BOULENGER 1893: 275 Liodytes alleni — LOENNBERG 1894 Liodytes alleni — COPE 1900: 1013 Liodytes alleni — WELLER 1930 Liodytes alleni — CONANT 1978 Regina alleni — CONANT & COLLINS 1991: 159 Regina alleni — CROTHER 2000 Regina alleni — DORCAS et al. 2003 Liodytes alleni — MCVAY & CARSTENS 2013 Regina alleni — WALLACH et al. 2014: 630 |
| Distribution | USA (Florida, S Georgia) Type locality: near Jacksonville, Florida |
| Reproduction | ovovivparous |
| Types | Holotype: MCZ 2255, a 650 mm female (J.A. Allen, Mar. 1869). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus): The separation of Liodytes from Regina has depended entirely on two characters, tooth shape and microdermatoglyphic pattern. In addition, the teeth are chisel-like (see Rossman, 1963, fig. 5), and hinged basally (Rojas and Godley, 1979). Other characteristics are a black-brown-cream striped dorsal pattern; a relatively short, a narrow head (although alleni is an exception regarding shortness). A very small pupil (usually comprising less than ½ the eye diameter); a small naris (situated medially in the nasal scale and comprising ⅓ or less its height); a relatively short hemipenis, single or weakly bilobed (see Rossman and Eberle, 1977, fig. 4); the teeth relatively short and stout (the degree varying morphoclinally; see preceding discussion); the posterior ends of the ptyergoids weakly divergent; no ventral keel on the parasphenoid; no posteromedian ridge on the parietal; a moderately well-developed interorbital foramen; and a short prefrontal (height 3 to 4 times greater than length). (Rossman 1985) Additional details (2586 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
| Comment | Type species: Helicops alleni GARMAN 1874: 92 is the type species of the genus Liodytes COPE 1885: 194. Habitat: L. R. alleni and L. rigida, are burrowers in mud and/or dense aquatic vegetation, hence a low-relief, low-friction scale microornamentation may be an advantageous adaptation. |
| Etymology | Named after Joel Asaph Allen (1838-1921), American naturalist and curator of the American Museum of Natural History (among other positions). The genus was named after Greek leios (λείος), smooth, plain, not embroidered + Greek dytos (δυτός), worn, carried on oneself. ["...I note here that the Helicops alleni Garman, from Florida, has the scales entirely smooth. It is necessary therefore that it be placed in another genus, which I call Liodytes..."]. |
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