Saphenophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae.[1] The genus is native to northwestern South America.
| Saphenophis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Dipsadinae |
| Genus: | Saphenophis Myers, 1973 |
Geographic range
editSpecies in the genus Saphenophis are found in Colombia and Ecuador.[1]
Species
editFive species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Saphenophis antioquiensis (Dunn, 1943) - Dunn's saphenophis snake
- Saphenophis atahuallpae (Steindachner, 1901) - Atahuallpa saphenophis snake
- Saphenophis boursieri (Jan, 1867)
- Saphenophis sneiderni Myers, 1973 - saphenophis snake
- Saphenophis tristriatus (Rendahl & Vestergren, 1941)
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Saphenophis.
Etymology
editThe specific name, boursieri, is in honor of French ornithologist Jules Bourcier.[2]
The specific name, sneiderni, is in honor of Swedish taxidermist Kjell von Sneidern (1910–2000), who collected natural history specimens in Colombia.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Genus Saphenophis at The Reptile Database.
- ^ a b Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Saphenophis boursieri, p. 35; Saphenophis sneiderni, p. 247).
Further reading
edit- Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Genus Saphenophis, p. 109).
- Myers CW (1973). "A New Genus for Andean Snakes Related to Lygophis boursieri and a New Species (Colubridae)". American Museum Novitates (2522): 1-37. (Saphenophis, new genus, p. 2; Saphenophis sneiderni, new species, p. 22).