Eutrachelophis bassleri MYERS & MCDOWELL, 2014
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Eutrachelophis bassleri
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| Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Dipsadinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Eutrachelophis bassleri MYERS & MCDOWELL 2014 Eutrachelophis bassleri — ZAHER & PRUDENTE 2019 |
| Distribution | Peru (Loreto), Ecuador Type locality: Pisqui Hills, [upper] Río Pisqui, Province of Loreto |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: AMNH 52926, an adult male, obtained by Harvey Bassler on January 15, 1927. The type locality is situated west of the Río Ucayali in the region of 8°00– 8°22’ S, 75°30–75°50’ W (see Remarks). This specimen (fig. 1A) is in good condition except that the maxillae and mandibles have been dissected out (possibly by Bassler), although still associated with the specimen. Total length 345 mm, tail length 101 mm; 2 preventrals (gulars wider than long), 133 ventrals + half ventral at anal plate, 67 pairs of subcaudals not counting terminal spine. PARATYPES (11): ECUADOR: Pastaza Province: mouth Río Pucayacu, between Sarayacu and Montalvo, USNM 232826 (R. Olalla, Aug. 1948); Sarayacu, Río Bobonaza, USNM 232825 (R. Olalla, Nov. 1962). PERU: Huánuco Province: [Río] Pachitea, AMNH 52682 (H. Bassler, date?); Serranía de Sira, ridge above R ́ıo Llullapichis, 510 m (9°29’ S, 74°49’W), NMW 31795 (M. Henzl and B. Wallnöver, May 20, 1988). Loreto Province: Mishana, TCWC 40555, 41424, 41425 (P. Soini; collected over an eight year period fide Dixon and Soini, 1986: 114); Pampa Hermosa, R ́ıo Cushabatay, AMNH 55786 (H. Bassler, Sept. 1927);2 Pebas, Río Ampiyacu, 250 ft., AMNH 25193 (collector?); Río Tapiche, AMNH 52441 (H. Bassler, Jan. 1928); upper Río Utuquinia, AMNH 53473 (H. Bassler, Feb. 1928). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus): Small terrestrial colubrids lacking hypapophyses (hemal keel present) on posterior trunk vertebrae. High number (about 25–30) of prediastemal maxillary teeth followed by diastema and two enlarged, ungrooved teeth (the last offset laterad1); differentiated rear maxillary teeth not accompanied by correspondingly conspicuous differentiation of Duvernoy’s gland. Spiny hemipenis either divided, with spines to apices of lobes, or single with distal nude area; hemipenis lacking calyces, flounces, or apical discs; sulcus spermaticus forked proximally, with branches centrifugal (at least when organ is everted). Eye large, with round pupil. Habitus slender, with smooth dorsal scales in 15-15-15 rows; single scale pits present or absent; no anal ridges. Normal complement of colubrid head plates; < 150 ventrals; anal plate divided, > 90 subcaudals, paired. Color pattern with black-rimmed pale ocelli or elongated spots on head or on head and neck; dorsum with dark stripes or spots anteriorly, becoming nearly uniform posteriorly. The above combination of traits is unique. Externally, the species of Eutrachelophis are readily differentiated from most other New World snakes by the combination of 15 dorsal scale rows and the presence of conspicuous ocellar markings on head or on head and neck. There may be a vague resemblance in pattern with some specimens of the variable Taeniophallus occipitalis, which also has 15 scale rows, but occipitalis differs in having a white canthal line (fig. 15B in Myers & McDowell 2014), more ventrals (> 160), fewer maxillary teeth (about 13–17 + 2), and a calyculate hemipenis. |
| Comment | Type species: Eutrachelophis bassleri MYERS & MCDOWELL 2014 is the type species of the genus Eutrachelophis MYERS & MCDOWELL 2014, and the genus is the type genus of the tribe Eutrachelophiini MYERS & MCDOWELL 2014. Synonymy: Zaher & Prudente 2019 consider the tribe Eutrachelophiini Myers and McDowell, 2014 as a junior synonym of the tribe Xenodontini. Abundance: only known from 13 specimens (Moraes et al.2021). Distribution: see map in Moraes et al. 2021 for localities. |
| Etymology | The species is named in memory of Harvey Bassler (1883–1950), a former Research Associate in the American Museum’s Department of Herpetology. Bassler accumulated five of the 12 known specimens of this rare species during a decade devoted to petroleum exploration and zoological and ethnographic collecting in eastern Peru. The intended meaning of the genus name is ‘‘beautiful-necked snake.’’ It is compounded from the prefix “eu-” (beautiful) + trachelos (neck) + ophis (a serpent), all from the Greek. Gender masculine. |
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