Description of two new species from Venezuela in the highly diverse dipsadine genus Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Abstract

Two new species of Atractus are described from Venezuela uplands and highlands on two northern Andean cordilleras. Atractus acheronius, known only from Sierra de Perijá, can be distinguished from congeners by having 17 dorsal scale rows, presence of preocular scales, seven upper and lower labials, seven maxillary teeth, 166 ventrals in the single female, 23 subcaudals, dorsum brown with small dark brown dots, large body size, huge body diameter, and small tail size. Atractus multidentatus, known only from north versant of the Cordillera de Mérida, can be distinguished from congeners by having 17 dorsal scale rows, eight upper and lower labials, 18 maxillary teeth, 153 ventrals in the single female, nine subcaudals, dorsum reddish brown with five longitudinal dark brown stripes, small body size, small body diameter, and small tail size. Additionally, a discussion concerning the species description of Atractus based on unique specimens is provided.

A new species of Brachyorrhos from Seram, Indonesia and notes on fangless homalopsids (Squamata, Serpentes)

“…In the family Dipsadidae, the Middle American Geophis bellus Myers, 2003 is 210 mm in total length (Myers 2003). Passos et al (2009a) & Nussbaum, 1994 (Lamprophiidae) has a maximum length of 217 mm (Glaw & Vences 2007). The smallest viperid is Bitis schneideri (Boettger, 1886) at 260 mm maximum length (Mallow et al 2003).…”