A new Indian species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 closely related to R. sanguineus Beddome, 1863 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae)

The Uropeltidae, a family of small, fossorial snakes endemic to south Asia, are characterized by highly modified head and tail morphology. Their secretive nature has led to a dearth of research regarding intraspecific variation in morphology and tail function.Linear morphometrics of external size and shape and scale counts were combined with 3D geometric morphometric analysis of high-resolution computed tomography scans of crania and bony tail-shields to assess intraspecific morphological variation in 35 specimens of Rhinophis philippinus. Cranial and tail-shield shape differences are slight and subtle, though both exhibited significant allometry. Significant sexual dimorphism was found only in numbers of ventral scales, numbers of subcaudal scales, and tail length. There is no evidence of sexual dimorphism in head, cranial or tailshield shape and size. It is hypothesized that strong functional constraints, induced by head-first burrowing in R. philippinus, have led to strong stabilizing selection in head and cranial shape, with functional constraints outweighing any influence of sexual selection. Lack of tail-shield sexual dimorphism (despite strong tail length dimorphism) suggests a common function in both sexes, likely related to predator avoidance and defense. K E Y W O R D Sallometry, fossorial, morphology, sexual dimorphism RÉSUMÉLes Uropeltidae, une famille de petits serpents fouisseurs endémiques de l'Asie du Sud, sont caractérisés par une morphologie de la tête et de la queue très modifiée. Leur mode de vie difficile à étudier est à l'origine du manque de connaissances concernant la vari-

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Taxonomy and natural history of the poorly known Dindigul shieldtail Uropeltis dindigalensis (Beddome, 1877) (Serpentes: Uropeltidae)

Ganesh¹,

Sampaio

Gower

2022

Zootaxa

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Uropeltis dindigalensis (Beddome, 1877) is a poorly known uropeltid (shieldtail) snake from peninsular India. Here we report morphological data for 14 preserved and nine uncollected specimens, most of which have not been previously reported. We designate a lectotype from the type series, describe it, and present the first published photographs of some of the type material. Recharacterization of U. dindigalensis clarifies its taxonomic distinctiveness and its geographical distribution. We report new natural-history observations from museum specimens and of individuals in life, including viviparity and feeding behaviour. The species is known only from the higher elevations of Sirumalai hills, in the southern end of the Eastern Ghats. Uropeltis dindigalensis appears somewhat capable of tolerating low-intensity agriculture. The main immediate conservation threats are probably greater intensity human activities, including road traffic, and possibly climate change given that the species is restricted to the uppermost elevations of a small hill range. The very small extent of occurrence within a single threat-defined location (none of which lies within a protected area), combined with decreasing quality and quantity of habitat, likely qualifies U. dindigalensis as Critically Endangered (or, at best, Endangered) under IUCN Red List criteria.

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A new Indian species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 closely related to R. sanguineus Beddome, 1863 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae)

Cited by 503 publications

References 25 publications

A near-complete species-level phylogeny of uropeltid snakes harnessing historical museum collections as a DNA source

A near-complete species-level phylogeny of uropeltid snakes harnessing historical museum collections as a DNA source

Intraspecific morphological variation in the shieldtail snakeRhinophis philippinus(Serpentes: Uropeltidae), with particular reference to tail‐shield and cranial 3D geometric morphometrics

Taxonomy and natural history of the poorly known Dindigul shieldtail Uropeltis dindigalensis (Beddome, 1877) (Serpentes: Uropeltidae)

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