Leptophis

Leptophis
Leptophis ahaetulla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Leptophis
Bell, 1825

Leptophis is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as parrot snakes, which are endemic to the Americas.[1]

Description

Snakes of the genus Leptophis are slender with a long tail. The body is cylindrical or slightly laterally compressed. The head is elongated and distinct from the neck. The eye is large with a round pupil. The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows at midbody.[2]

The maxillary teeth, which number 20-32, are in a continuous series without any interspace, and are longest posteriorly,[2] but without grooves.[3] Conversely, the mandibular teeth are longest anteriorly.[2]

Species

The following species are currently recognized:[4][5]

References

  1. "Leptophis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, Printers.) London. xi + 382 pp. + Plates I.- XX. (Leptophis, p. 105-106, Figure 10.)
  3. Freiberg, M. 1982. Snakes of South America. T.F.H. Publications. Hong Kong. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7.(Genus Leptophis, p. 80.)
  4. Leptophis. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: Annual Checklist. Encyclopedia of Life. Consulted: 8 May 2011.
  5. Leptophis Bell, 1825. The Reptile Database. Consulted: 8 May 2011.

Further reading

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