Biology:Lycophidion

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Short description: Genus of snakes

Lycophidion
Lycophidion variegatum2.jpg
Lycophidion variegatum
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Lamprophiidae
Subfamily: Lamprophiinae
Genus: Lycophidion
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

23 species, see text.

Lycophidion is a genus of nonvenomous lamprophiid snakes commonly referred to as the wolf snakes.

Lycophidion capense, cape wolf snake, Waterberg, Limpopo.

(As of 2015) there are 23 recognized species in the genus.[1]

Description and behavior

Wolf snakes are small snakes which forage at night for sleeping lizards.[2] They have flat heads and large recurved teeth that are assumed to aid them in their extraction of lizards from their lairs.[3]

Reproduction

All species in the genus Lycophidion are oviparous and lay between 3 and 10 eggs.[3]

Lycophidion multimaculatum, the Spotted Wolf Snake, from Northern Namibia/Southwestern Zambia

Species

The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]

  • Lycophidion acutirostre Günther, 1868
  • Lycophidion albomaculatum Steindachner, 1870
  • Lycophidion capense (A. Smith, 1831)
  • Lycophidion chirioi J.-F. Trape, 2021
  • Lycophidion depressirostre Laurent, 1968
  • Lycophidion hellmichi Laurent, 1964
  • Lycophidion irroratum (Leach, 1819)
  • Lycophidion jacksoni (Boulenger, 1893) – western Jackson's wolf snake
  • Lycophidion laterale Hallowell, 1857
  • Lycophidion meleagre Boulenger, 1893
  • Lycophidion multimaculatum Boettger, 1888
  • Lycophidion namibianum Broadley, 1991
  • Lycophidion nanum (Broadley, 1958)
  • Lycophidion nigromaculatum (W. Peters, 1863)
  • Lycophidion ornatum Parker, 1936
  • Lycophidion pembanum Laurent,1968
  • Lycophidion pygmaeum Broadley, 1996
  • Lycophidion semiannule W. Peters, 1854
  • Lycophidion semicinctum A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Lycophidion taylori Broadley & Hughes, 1993
  • Lycophidion tchadensis J.-F. Trape, 2021 – Chad wolf snake
  • Lycophidion uzungwense Loveridge, 1932
  • Lycophidion variegatum Broadley, 1969

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lycophidion.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Uetz, Peter. "Search results - Lycophidion ". http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/search?search=lycophidion&submit=Search. 
  2. Marais, Johan (2004). A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa (New ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 978-1868729326. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Alexander, Graham; Marais, Johan (2007). A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa (3. impression. ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 94. ISBN 9781770073869. https://books.google.com/books?id=kk5FAQAAIAAJ&q=wolf+snake. Retrieved 21 September 2015. 

Further reading

  • Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN:0-88359-042-5. (Genus Lycophidion, p. 76).
  • Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Lycophidion, new genus, p. 27). (in Latin).

Wikidata ☰ Q2577620 entry