Redescription of Leptotyphlops koppesi Amaral, 1954, and description of a new species of the Leptotyphlops dulcis group from Central Brazil (Serpentes: Leptotyphlopidae)

Abstract

A new species of Leptotyphlops dulcis group is described from the central Brazilian Cerrado, which is diagnosed by rostral shape, general colour pattern, and number of middorsal and subcaudal scales. This taxon has been commonly misidentified as L. koppesi in some Brazilian collections and by some authors. Leptotyphlops koppesi was described from the municipality of Terenos, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, based on a single specimen. Since its original description, only three subsequent records appear in the literature reporting additional specimens of L. koppesi. We redescrib the holotype of Leptotyphlops koppesi, defining its geographic range and diagnose this from all species of L. dulcis group. Data on morphometric and meristic variation are reported for the new species and L. koppesi as well. Comparisons are made between the new species and all other South American species of the L. dulcis group. The hemipenis of the new species has a narrow basal portion and a series of lateral flounces. This general hemipenial morphology is unique among Neotropical leptotyphlopids, otherwise known only from Atlantic Rainforest species L. salgueiroi.

The herpetofauna of Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, state of Piauí, Brazil, with a regional species list from an ecotonal area of Cerrado and Caatinga

“…Although quantitatively more similar to T. koppesi, they present qualitative characters that resemble T. fuliginosa (Passos et al 2006). Trilepida koppesi is distributed throughout the southern Cerrado region (São Paulo, eastern Mato Grosso do Sul and southern Goiás states), while T. fuliginosa is distributed in the northern part of the Cerrado, with the nearest record in Palmas (Tocantins basin), about 520 km in straight line far from PNSCo (Passos et al 2006). Sampled specimens in PNSCo could either be an undescribed species or represent a large distribution extension for Trilepida fuliginosa and the first record of the species for the Caatinga domain.…”

“…The five specimens of Trilepida sampled in the PNSCo have scale counts that are intermediate between T. koppesi and T. fuliginosa. Although quantitatively more similar to T. koppesi, they present qualitative characters that resemble T. fuliginosa (Passos et al 2006). Trilepida koppesi is distributed throughout the southern Cerrado region (São Paulo, eastern Mato Grosso do Sul and southern Goiás states), while T. fuliginosa is distributed in the northern part of the Cerrado, with the nearest record in Palmas (Tocantins basin), about 520 km in straight line far from PNSCo (Passos et al 2006).…”

Reptilia, Leptotyphlopidae, Leptotyphlops salgueiroi Amaral, 1954: distribution extension and geographic variation

“…According to Passos et al (2005;2006), males and females of L. salgueiroi have, respectively, 217-226 and 230-232 middorsals, 17-23 and 18-20 subcaudals. Data from additional specimens extend the number of middorsal and subcaudal scales to 200-226 / 17-24 in males, and 217-233 / 16-20 in females.…”

“…The genus Leptotyphlops Fitzinger, 1843 comprises 105 species of small and slender fossorial snakes (see McDiarmid et al 1999;Dixon and Vaughan 2003;Passos et al 2006;Broadley and Walach 2007;Hedges 2008) that occur in all continents with exception of Antarctica and Australia (McDiarmid et al 1999). In South America, Leptotyphlops has a wide distribution range, from Venezuela to northern Argentina (McDiarmid et al 1999).…”

“…Amaral (1954) Based on this additional sample we provide new distribution map (Figure 2), morphometric and pholidosis data (Table 1) for the species. Terminology for cephalic shields, and measurements follow Passos et al (2006). Sex was determined through a ventral incision on the base of the tail.…”