Haitiophis anomalus (PETERS, 1863)
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Haitiophis anomalus?
Haitiophis anomalus
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| Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Dipsadinae), Alsophiini, Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Hispaniolan Brown Racer, Hispaniola Racer |
| Synonym | Zamenis anomalus PETERS 1863: 282 Dromicus (Alsophis) anomalus — FISCHER 1888: 37 Dromicus anomalus — BOULENGER 1894: 125 Alsophis anomalus — SCHWARTZ & HENDERSON 1991: 565 Alsophis anomalus — CROTHER 1999 Alsophis anomalus — POWELL et al. 1999 Ocyophis anomalus — ZAHER et al. 2009 Haitiophis anomalus — HEDGES et al. 2009 Caraiba anomala — WALLACH et al. 2014: 149 Haitiophis anomalus — KRYSKO et al. 2015 |
| Distribution | Hispaniola (Haiti, W Dominican Republic), Ile de la Tortue, Isla Beata Type locality: “unbekannt” |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: ZMB 2269 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus): The single species in this genus has 21 midbody scale rows, 207–215 ventrals, 113–130 subcaudals, 2 apical scale pits, 8 upper labials, 10 lower labials, 14 total maxillary teeth, and 18–19 dentary teeth (Table 2). Haitiophis differs from all other genera except Alsophis in its high number (21) of midbody scales, and from Alsophis in its low number of total maxillary teeth (14 versus 18–21) and dentary teeth (18–19 versus 21–26). (HEDGES & VIDAL 2009) |
| Comment | Type species: Zamenis anomalus PETERS 1863 is the type species of the genus Haitiophis HEDGES & VIDAL 2009. This species can spread its neck, almost like a cobra. Diet: anoles and other animals. |
| Etymology | Not explained by Peters but apparently named after its unusual characteristics. The genus was named after the Taino word Haiti (meaning high mountains) for the entire island now called Hispaniola and refers to the distribution of the genus. |
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