Taxonomy of the shieldtail snake genus Teretrurus Beddome, 1886 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) with a revised key and remarks on the geographic gaps in the Western Ghats, Peninsular India

Authors

  • S. R. Ganesh
     Chennai Snake Park, Rajbhavan Post, Chennai − 600022, Tamil Nadu
  • B. H. Channakeshava Murthy
     Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Station, Kozhikode − 673006, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v122/i1/2022/154229

Keywords:

Agasthyamalai, Anamalai, Beddome, Palni Hills, Synonym, Teretrurus, Wall, Wayanad

Abstract

The systematics of the shield tail snake genus Teretrurus is reassessed, involving a range-wide sampling, from Wayanad to Agasthyamalai in the Western Ghats. Based on published genetic differences, geographical-correlation, differences in scalation and subtle colour characters that are consistent in the freshly studied/collected specimens and in historical literature (by Boulenger), two subjective junior synonyms Teretrurus hewstoni and T. travancoricus are herein revived from T. sanguineus (which is re-appraised in a strict sense). Re-examination of the holotype of Plectrurus scabricauda confirms its synonymy with T. sanguineus. Drawing on published phylogenetic position and previous taxonomic treatment (by Smith), Brachyophidium rhodogaster is allocated to the genus Teretrurus. A revised key to the genus Teretrurus is presented.

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Published

2022-06-03

How to Cite

Ganesh, S. R., & Channakeshava Murthy, B. H. (2022). Taxonomy of the shieldtail snake genus <i>Teretrurus</i> Beddome, 1886 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) with a revised key and remarks on the geographic gaps in the Western Ghats, Peninsular India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 122(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v122/i1/2022/154229

Issue

Volume 122, Issue 1, 2022

Section

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