Rhabdophis bindi DAS, SMITH, SIDIK, SARKER, BORUAH, PATEL, MURTHY & DEEPAK, 2021
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Rhabdophis bindi?
Rhabdophis bindi
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| Higher Taxa | Colubridae (Natricinae), Colubroidea, Caenophidia, Alethinophidia, Serpentes, Squamata (snakes) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Bindee keelback snake |
| Synonym | Rhabdophis bindi DAS, SMITH, SIDIK, SARKER, BORUAH, PATEL, MURTHY & DEEPAK 2021 Rhabdophis himalayanus — RAHMAN & AHMED 2012: 107 Rhabdophis himalayanus — PURKAYASHTA 2013: 93 Rhabdophis himalayanus — HASAN et al. 2014: 134 Rhabdophis himalayanus — HAKIM et al. 2020: 1255 Rhabdophis sp. — DAS 2008: 24 Rhabdophis sp. — DAS et al. 2009: 127,128 Rhabdophis sp. — MAHONY et al. 2009: 89 Rhabdophis sp. — DAS 2010 |
| Distribution | India (Assam, Mizoram, Tripura), Bangladesh Type locality: Maruacherra (30 m elevation, 24.97354 N, 92767 E), Cachar District, Assam, India. |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype. WII-AD632, (Figs 3,7), adult male, collected by Alex Pothmy on 14 April 2019. Paratypes (n = 4). All from Cachar District, Assam, India. WII-AD45, adult male from Lakhicherra (55 m, 24.97635 N, 92.77700 E), found among tree root undercut close to a water puddle, 3 m away from dry streambed on 28 March 2007 at 1110h; WII-AD46, adult female from Marua Village (32 m, 24.97311 N, 92.76815 E), killed by local people on 2 April 2007 at 1630h; WII-AD48, adult male from Lakhicherra Stream (36 m, 24.97639 N, 92.78058 E), collected among accumulated vegetation 1.5 m away from flowing stream on 26 May 2007 at 1230h; WII-AD47, adult male from Jhum Cultivation field above Borthol Stream (100 m, 24.98411 N, 92.77526 E, on 26 May 2007 at 1730h. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A medium-sized Rhabdophis (sensu stricto) characterized by having: (1) 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody; (2) 157–164 ventrals; (3) nostril located on lateral side of head; (4) internasal truncated anteriorly; (5) nuchal groove absent; (6) no enlarged nuchal scales; (7) a prominent red rhomboid spot on nape; (8) a black subocular stripe present; (9) dorsum brownish, mottled with black and white; two rows of white spots on 2–3 scales on either side (often on 3rd–5th dorsal scale rows), cream towards tail; (10) last two maxillary teeth strongly and abruptly enlarged, preceded by a diastema (Das et al. 2021). |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | The species epithet, “bindi, is an invariable feminine noun derived from the Sanskrit word ‘bindu’ (meaning a bright spot), referring to the unique “red marking on the nape region of the new species and reminiscent of the “red beauty spot adorning the foreheads of Indian women and signifying the point of creation of the cosmos. |
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