Madagascarophis lolo is a species of snake endemic to Madagascar.[2][3] It is colloquially referred to as the ghost snake due to its strikingly pale coloration.[4][5] It was initially found inside a lime rock formation in 2016.[6][7]
| Madagascarophis lolo | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pseudoxyrhophiidae |
| Genus: | Madagascarophis |
| Species: | M. lolo
|
| Binomial name | |
| Madagascarophis lolo | |
Description
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Madagascarophis lolo can be identified from other species in its genus by its gray overall body color with a black vertebral stripe and dorsal alternating lighter gray splotches. It has 25 midbody scale rows, 189 ventral scales and 56 divided subcaudal scales. With the exception of M. fuchsi, it differs from all other Madagascarophis species by having extended contact of posterior infralabial scales. M. lolo can be distinguished from M. fuchsi by its slightly lower number of infralabial scales, with M. lolo having around 10 infralabial scales, versus approximately 12–13 infralabial scales in M. fuchsi.[1][2]
Behavior
editLike other species of Madagascarophis, M. lolo is nocturnal.[1]
Habitat
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Madagascarophis lolo is terrestrial and semi-arboreal, and is mainly found on karst rock formations. Researchers propose that the rarity of M. lolo sightings could be due to the rough terrain which the species inhabits; the karst rock formations are difficult to navigate, especially in the night, when M. lolo would be active.[1]
Distribution
editMadagascarophis lolo is probably endemic to karst areas of Analamerana and Ankarana in northern Madagascar.[1]
Etymology
editMadagascarophis lolo gets its specific name lolo from the Malagasy word for "ghost". The name refers to both the pale gray color of the ghost snake, and the elusiveness of the species relative to other species in an area of Ankarana that is relatively well explored.[1]
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Ruane, Sara; Burbrink, Frank T.; Randriamahatantsoa, Bernard; Raxworthy, Christopher J. (2016). "The cat-eyed snakes of Madagascar: Phylogeny and description of a new species of Madagascarophis (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae) from the Tsingy of Ankarana". Copeia. 104 (3): 712–721. doi:10.1643/ch-15-346. S2CID 88551277.
- ^ a b Madagascarophis lolo at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Madagascarophis lolo: New Species of Cat-Eyed Snake Discovered in Madagascar | Biology | Sci-News.com". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "'Ghost snake' discovered in Madagascar". www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "'Ghost snake' species discovered in Madagascar". The Hindu. 2016-09-04. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ NatureWorldNews (2016-09-04). "Rare Discovery: Lolo the 'Ghost' Snake Found in a Lime Rock Formation in Madagascar". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ Supernova, Periwinkle (2016-09-05). "'Ghost' Snake New Species Discovered In Madagascar Rock Formation - News Independent". Retrieved 2016-09-30.