A New Species Of Dendrelaphis (Serpentes: Colubridae) From The Western Ghats - India

Gernot Vogel, Johan Van Roiijen

Abstract

A new species of the colubrid genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger 1890 is described from the Western Ghats, India. Dendrelaphis girii sp. nov. resembles Dendrelaphis bifrenalis (Boulenger, 1890) which inhabits Sri Lanka. It differs from the latter predominantly in the absence of a ventrolateral stripe, the much narrower and shorter postocular stripe and the broader snout. The description of D. girii sp. nov. underscores the notion that Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats are faunally more distinct than previously thought.

Key Words: Dendrelaphis girii sp. nov.; Dendrelaphis bifrenalis; taxonomy; reptilia; Sri Lanka

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v3i2.3963  

TAPROBANICA 2011; 3(2): 77-85

Keywords

Dendrelaphis girii sp. nov.; Dendrelaphis bifrenalis; taxonomy; reptilia; Sri Lanka
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