Revalidation of Apostolepis barrioi (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Abstract

Revalidation of Apostolepis barrioi (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). With 32 species,is the most diverse genus in the tribe Elapomorphini. The description of is based on one specimen and the taxon later was synonymized with A. Based on a examination of new specimens, the taxon is resurrected to full species rank.differs from all congeners by having an immaculate white venter, narrow dorsolateral stripes not in contact with the ventrals, and a terminal black shield. With the addition of the number of species of the genus increases to 33; however, more systematic research on the status of the species in the group is required, especially for those species that were described on the basis of only on few specimens.Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Brazil, Paraguay, South America. Resumo Revalidação de Apostolepis barrioi (Serpentes: Dipsadidae).foi descrita com base em um único exemplar e então sinonimizada a Depois de uma reavaliação de novos dados, reconhecemos como um táxon válido que se distingue das demais negra. Com a revalidação de Palavras-chave:

Taxonomic status of Apostolepis barrioi Lema, 1978, with comments on the taxonomic instability of Apostolepis Cope, 1862 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae)

“…There is also a wide overlap between the meristic variation of A.barrioi and A.dimidiata , such as in the number of ventral scales (222–256 in A.barrioi ; 214–264 in A.dimidiata ) and subcaudal scales (23–55 in A.barrioi ; 22–39 in A.dimidiata ), in its morphometric variation (given in mm), in snout-vent length (188–542 in A.barrioi ; 180–676 in A.dimidiata ) and tail length (16–45 in A.barrioi ; 16–60 in A.dimidiata ), and geographic variation, since both species are sympatric along their whole distribution, as reported by the authors (Cabral et al 2017: 246). Furthermore, the authors present a comparative table of Apostolepis species in which A.barrioi is stated as having an immaculate venter and A.dimidiata , a venter heavily pigmented with black, having only the edge of the ventrals white.…”

“…1), present virtually identical geographic distribution, and both descriptions are based on specimens that have the same ventral coloration, which was erroneously cited as “diagnostic” at the time, we argue that A.barrioi Lema, 1978 should be relegated as a junior synonym of A.dimidiata (Jan, 1862). The work of Cabral et al (2017) seems to follow a recent, genus-wide trend, in which several species have been described based on poorly supported diagnoses (e.g. Apostolepismariae Borges-Nojosa et al 2017 (2016); A.roncadori Lema, 2016; A.thalesdelemai Borges-Nojosa et al 2016 (2017); A.underwoodi Lema & Campbell, 2017).…”

“…Recently, Cabral et al (2017) presented a revalidation of A.barrioi , diagnosing it from all congeners based on an immaculate white venter, narrow dorsolateral stripes not in contact with the ventrals, and a terminal black shield. There is also a wide overlap between the meristic variation of A.barrioi and A.dimidiata , such as in the number of ventral scales (222–256 in A.barrioi ; 214–264 in A.dimidiata ) and subcaudal scales (23–55 in A.barrioi ; 22–39 in A.dimidiata ), in its morphometric variation (given in mm), in snout-vent length (188–542 in A.barrioi ; 180–676 in A.dimidiata ) and tail length (16–45 in A.barrioi ; 16–60 in A.dimidiata ), and geographic variation, since both species are sympatric along their whole distribution, as reported by the authors (Cabral et al 2017: 246).…”

A new species of burrowing snake (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Apostolepis) from the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West region of Brazil

“…Specimens of the new species were compared with 85 museum specimens of 15 species of Apostolepis (see Appendix) and data from the literature (e.g., Amaral 1925, Harvey et al 2001, Lema 2003b, 2004, Lema and Renner 2004, Curcio et al 2011, Albuquerque and Lema 2012, Nogueira et al 2012, Borges-Nojosa et al 2016, Cabral et al 2017, Lema and Campbell 2017.…”

“…The genus presently comprises 38 species (Curcio et al 2011, Lema 2016, Cabral et al 2017and Uetz et al 2018) distributed in five groups -dimidiata, dorbignyi, flavotorquata, longicaudata and nigroterminata (Nogueira et al 2012). Additional groups were referred to by Lema (2003a), Martins and Lema (2015) and Lema and Renner (2016) -including ambinigra, assimilis, lineata, nigrolineata, phillipsi, polylepis, quinquelineata and a borellii group, which presently includes only A. borellii Peracca, 1904 and A. underwoodi Lema & Campbell, 2017.…”