Isanophis boonsongi (Taylor & Elbel 1958)

Boomsong's stream snake (Isanophis boonsongi), also known as Boomsong's keelback^[1] and Boonsong's stream snake,^[3] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae, subfamily Natricinae (keelbacks). It is monotypic in the genus Isanophis.^[2] The species is endemic to Thailand.

Taxonomy

Boomsong's stream snake is a rare snake only known from three specimens. It was originally described as Parahelicops boonsongi in 1958 on the basis of a single specimen^[4] and has since been argued by different authors to fall within either Parahelicops or Opisthotropis.^[5][2] Most recently, a 2015 study described a new genus, Isanophis, to accommodate this species on the basis of morphological differences in the teeth size, eye size and placement, pupil shape, keel shape, gross body morphology, and presence of a single prefrontal scale.^[6]

Higher taxonomy of Isanophis is variable, with some authors recognizing Natricidae as its own family^[6] and others treating it as a subfamily (Natricinae) of the family Colubridae.^[2]

Geographic range

I. boonsongi is known only from Loei Province in northeastern Thailand although it may occur in Laos, southern China, and Vietnam.^[6]

Conservation status

As it is only known from three specimens, I. boonsongi is treated as Data Deficient in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.^[1]

Biology

I. boonsongi is a nocturnal snake found in sub-montane forests and may be aquatic or semi-aquatic, feeding on frogs and fishes.^[1][2]

Etymology

The genus name Isanophis refers to Isan, a northeastern region of Thailand where it has been found, and ophis (Greek), meaning snake.^[6] The specific name, boonsongi, commemorates Thai zoologist and conservationist Dr. Boonsong Lekagul.^[3]

References

Opisthotropis boonsongi Opisthotropis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Natricidae familian sailkatuta dago.

Erreferentziak

• TIGR Reptile Database in Species 2000 and ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2011 Annual Checklist

Ikus, gainera

• Opisthotropis
• Natricidae

Isanophis boonsongi, unique représentant du genre Isanophis, est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Natricidae^[1].

Répartition

Cette espèce est endémique de la province de Loei dans le nord-est de la Thaïlande^[1],[2].

Description

Dans leur description^[3] les auteurs indiquent que les spécimens en leur possession mesurent en moyenne 62 cm dont 10 cm pour la queue. Ce serpent a le dos pratiquement uniformément gris olivâtre, un peu plus clair sur les côtés et devenant presque blanc-crème sur les deux ou trois rangées d'écailles à l'arrière du cou. Sa face ventrale est généralement blanc-crème.

Étymologie

Cette espèce est nommée en l'honneur de Boonsong Lekagul qui a transmis plusieurs amphibiens et reptiles à l'université du Kansas.

Publications originales

• David, Pauwels, Nguyen & Vogel, 2015 : On the taxonomic status of the Thai endemic freshwater snake Parahelicops boonsongi, with the erection of a new genus (Squamata: Natricidae). Zootaxa, n^o 3948 (2), p. 203–217.
• Taylor & Elbel, 1958 : Contribution to the herpetology of Thailand. University of Kansas Science Bulletin, vol. 38, n^o 2, p. 1033-1189 (texte intégral).

Notes et références