A significant range extension of the unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus Storr, 1968) in the Einasleigh Uplands

Abstract

Until now there have been two species of burrowing elapid from the genus Brachyurophis known to occur in the Einasleigh Uplands Bioregion of northeastern Queensland, the Australian coral snake (Brachyurophis australis Krefft, 1864) and the north-eastern (or Campbell’s) shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis campbelli Kinghorn, 1929). Here we report a third species from the region, the unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus Storr, 1968). This is significant because it is the most north-easterly known occurrence of this species in Australia, adds to the known biodiversity of the region and extends the species’ known range by more than 400km to the northeast.