Phalotris mertensi
| Phalotris mertensi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Phalotris |
| Species: | P. mertensi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phalotris mertensi (Hoge, 1955)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Phalotris mertensi is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae.[2] The species is native to central eastern South America.
Etymology
The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.[3]: 176
Geographic distribution
Phalotris mertensi is found in southeastern Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and São Paulo.[1][2] It is also found in eastern Paraguay.[1]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Phalotris mertensi is savanna.[1]
Description
A medium-sized species of snake, Phalotris mertensi may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 1.26 m (4.1 ft). Males reach sexual maturity at 48 cm (19 in) SVL, and females at 51 cm (20 in).[1]
Behavior
Phalotris mertensi is fossorial, and it is both diurnal and nocturnal.[1]
Diet
Phalotris mertensi preys upon caecilians.[1]
Reproduction
Phalotris mertensi is oviparous.[1][2] Clutch size is from three to seven eggs.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Silveira, A.L.; Prudente, A.L. da C.; Argôlo, A.J.S.; Abrahão, C.R.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Barbo, F.E.; Costa, G.C.; Pontes, G.M.F.; Colli, G.R.; Zaher, H. el D.; Borges-Martins, M.; Martins, M.R.C.; Oliveira, M.E.; Passos, P.G.H.; Bérnils, R.S.; Sawaya, R.J.; Cechin, C.T.Z; Guedes da Costa, T.B. (2021). "Phalotris mertensi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T15181469A15181476. Retrieved 2 December 2021. (in English and Portuguese).
- ^ a b c d "Phalotris mertensi (HOGE, 1955)". Reptile Database. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- ^ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
Further reading
- Ferrarezzi, H. (1993). "Nota sobre o gênero Phalotris com revisão do grupo nasutus e descrição de três novas espécies (Serpentes, Colubridae, Xenodontinae)". Memórias do Instituto Butantan. 55 (suplemento 1): 21–38. (Phalotris mertensi, new combination). (in Portuguese).
- Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. 189 pp. (Elapomorphus mertensi, p. 97).
- Hoge, A.R. (1955). "Eine neue Schlange der Gattung Elapomorphus aus Brasilien ". Senckenbergiana Biologica. 88 (1): 301–304. (Elapomorphus mertensi, new species). (in German).
- Wallach, V.; Williams, K.L.; Boundy, J. (2014). Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, a division of Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 978-1-4822-0847-4. xxviii + 1,209 pp. (Phalotris mertensi, p. 547).