On the occurrence of Apostolepis phillipsi (Serpentes, Elapomorphini) in Brazil, with the description of a new specimen from Mato Grosso

Abstract

We describe a specimen of Apostolepis phillipsi Harvey, 1999, from Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, Mato Grosso, establishing the first unambiguous record of the species in Brazil. The new locality is ca. 120 km from the type locality, in Bolivia. We present an updated species diagnosis, the first image of a living specimen, and the first description of A. phillipsi coloration in life. Even though the Brazilian range of A. phillipsi lies within a protected area (Parque Estadual Serra Ricardo Franco—PESRF), it is threatened by cattle raising, logging and agriculture. PESRF lacks formal delimitation and a management plan, and the Mato Grosso State Legislature is considering a decree to extinguish PESRF, which could cause the extirpation of the Brazilian range of several endemic species.

New records of Apostolepis kikoi Santos et al., 2018 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) in the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil

“…Species of this genus are mainly fossorial and with diurnal-nocturnal activity (Harvey 1999;Curcio et al 2011). Aposto lepis is mainly distributed in open formations such as those found in Cerrado, Caatinga, Pampas, and Pantanal biomes, but some species also inhabit the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest (Harvey 1999;Harvey et al 2001;Lema 2001;Ferrarezi et al 2005;Curcio et al 2011;Nogueira et al 2011;Albuquerque and Lema 2012;Colli et al 2019).…”