Calliophis salitan is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines and known from Dinagat Island and Mindanao;[1][2] the former is based on a small number of recent records whereas the latter is based on a museum specimen from 1887.[1]

Calliophis salitan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Calliophis
Species:
C. salitan
Binomial name
Calliophis salitan
Brown [fr] et al., 2018

It is unique for its large size as well as its body coloration of a black head & neck with black & white bands along the width of the body, terminating at a bright orange tail. It is distinct from any other coral snake species in the Philippines or Sundas, but is most closely related to the blue coral snakes (C. bivirgatus & C. intestinalis) of the Sunda Shelf. While it is known only from Dinagat Island, it may also occur or have formerly occurred on other islands in the Sulu Archipelago.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Maglangit, E.P.; Brown, R.; Sanguila, T. (2022). "Calliophis salitan". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T127936684A127936689. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ Calliophis salitan at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ Brown, Rafe M.; Smart, Utpal; Leviton, Alan E.; Smith, Eric N. (2018). "A new species of long-glanded coralsnake of the genus Calliophis (Squamata: Elapidae) from Dinagat Island, with notes on the biogeography and species diversity of Philippine Calliophis and Hemibungarus". Herpetologica. 74 (1): 89–104. doi:10.1655/herpetologica-d-17-00008. S2CID 89885151.
  4. ^ "New Coral Snake Species Of The Genus Calliophis Described In The Philippines". www.reptilesmagazine.com. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-24.