Biology:Philodryas chamissonis

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of snake


Philodryas chamissonis
Culebra de cola larga.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Philodryas
Species:
P. chamissonis
Binomial name
Philodryas chamissonis
(Wiegmann, 1834)
Synonyms
  • Coronella chamissonis
    Wiegmann, 1834
  • Psammophis temminckii
    Schlegel, 1837
  • Tæniophis tantillus
    Girard, 1854
  • Dromicus chamissonis
    Steindachner, 1867
  • Liophis luctuosa
    Philippi, 1899[2]
  • Philodryas chamissonis
    — Sallaberry-Pincheira et al., 2011[3]

Philodryas chamissonis, commonly known as the Chilean green racer and the long-tailed snake, is a species of moderately venomous opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Chile .[4]

Etymology

The specific name, chamissonis, is in honor of Germany botanist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso.[2][5]

Geographic range

P. chamissonis has a large distribution in Chile, from Paposo to Valdivia.[1]

Description

Usually, P. chamissonis is gray, with black and white longitudinal stripes on the body. It is a medium-sized snake, which usually reaches 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in total length (including tail).[citation needed]

The length of the tail is 25-28.5 % of the total length. There are 8 upper labials, the 4th and 5th entering the eye. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 179-225; anal plate divided; subcaudals 100-122.[6]

Habitat

P. chamissonis lives in a large variety of habitats, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).[1]

Diet

A Philodryas chamissonis snake eating a Liolaemus tenuis lizard.

The diet of P. chamissonis is mainly composed of little rodents, birds, amphibians, and other smaller reptiles.[1] For example, it especially preys upon lizards of the genus Liolaemus.[1]

Reproduction

P. chamissonis is an oviparous reptile.[1][2]

Venom

Because P. chamissonis is rarely found, bites by it are uncommon. However, its bite is painful and causes extensive swelling.[7]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Avilés R, Garin C, Nunez J, Ortiz JC, Sallaberry N, Tala C, Victoriano P, Vidal M (2016). "Philodryas chamissonis ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) 2016: e.T16985A69941244. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T16985A69941244.en. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/16985/0. Retrieved 15 January 2018. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Species Philodryas chamissonis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Garin CF, González-Acuña D, Sallaberry MA, Vianna JA (2011). "Genetic Divergence of Chilean long-tailed snake (Philodryas chamissonis) across latitudes: conservation threats for different lineages". Diversity and Distribution 17: 152-162.
  4. "Philodryas chamissonis ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  5. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN:978-1-4214-0135-5. (Philodryas chamissonis, p. 51).
  6. Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (Dromicus chamissonis, pp. 119-120).
  7. Neira P, Jofré L, Oschilewski D, Subercaseaux B, Muñoz N (2007). "Mordedura por Philodryas chamissonis. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura (Snake bite by Philodryas chamissonis: a case presentation and literature review)". Revista chilena de infectología 24 (3): 236-241. (in Spanish).

Further reading

  • Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN:0-87666-912-7. (Dromicus chamissonis, p. 95).
  • Wiegmann AFA (1835). "Beiträge zur Zoologie, Gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde. Siebente Abhandlung. Amphibien ". Nova Acta Physico-Medica Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum (Wrocław and Bonn) 17: 185-268 + Plates XIII-XXII. (Coronella chamissonis, new species, pp. 246–250 + Plate XIX). (in German and Latin).


Wikidata ☰ Q2710385 entry