The status of the anomalepidid snake Liotyphlops albirostris and the revalidation of three taxa based on morphology and ecological niche models

Abstract

Liotyphlops is a genus of blindsnakes distributed in Central and South America.We reviewed specimens of Liotyphlops albirostris along its current distribution range and, based on morphological data and ecological niche modeling analyses, we restrict the geographical range of L. albirostris and validate three previously described species. In this revision, we describe the morphological variation in the populations from Panam a, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, and propose a new taxonomic arrangement. We revalidate three previous synonyms of L. albirostris to full species status, while dividing the populations from Colombia in two subspecies-one attributed to a previously recognized species from the Caribbean region, and a new one from the Andean region. The new species differs from L. albirostris from Panam a in cephalic scale arrangements that effectively reduces the previously reported variability of these scales in L. albirostris. We also explore some osteological differences that are congruent with the variation observed. We hope that the recognition of these new species better represents the diversity within Liotyphlops, helping to bring these new species out of their cryptic status so that they will be considered in future conservation efforts.

A new species of the genus Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 (Serpentes, Anomalepididae) from Colombia and the synonymization of Liotyphlops beui (Amaral, 1924) with Liotyphlops ternetzii (Boulenger, 1896)

“…The genus Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 is a group of small, cryptozoic blindsnakes, distributed in the Neotropics, from Costa Rica to Argentina. Liotyphlops is currently composed of 13 species (Santos and Reis 2018;Boundy 2021;Linares-Vargas et al 2021): Liotyphlops albirostris (Peters, 1858); L. anops (Cope, 1899); L. argaleus Dixon & Kofron, 1984;L. beui (Amaral, 1924); L. bondensis (Griffin, 1916); L. caissara Centeno, Sawaya & Germano, 2010;L.…”

“…The genus Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 is a group of small, cryptozoic blindsnakes, distributed in the Neotropics, from Costa Rica to Argentina. Liotyphlops is currently composed of 13 species ( Santos and Reis 2018 ; Boundy 2021 ; Linares-Vargas et al 2021 ): Liotyphlops albirostris (Peters, 1858); L. anops (Cope, 1899); L. argaleus Dixon & Kofron, 1984; L. beui (Amaral, 1924); L. bondensis (Griffin, 1916); L. caissara Centeno, Sawaya & Germano, 2010; L. haadi Silva-Haad, Franco & Maldonado, 2008; L. schubarti Vanzolini, 1948; L. sousai Santos & Reis, 2018, L. taylori Santos & Reis, 2018, L. ternetzii (Boulenger, 1896); L. trefauti Freire, Caramaschi & Argôlo, 2007, and L. wilderi (Garman, 1883). Brazil has the greatest diversity of Liotyphlops snakes, with eight valid species.…”

“…Brazil has the greatest diversity of Liotyphlops snakes, with eight valid species. In recent years, the description of new species of Anomalepididae have been restricted to the genus Liotyphlops ( Freire et al 2007 ; Haad et al 2008 ; Centeno et al 2010 ; Santos and Reis 2018 ) and revalidations of supposed synonyms of L. albirostris ( Linares-Vargas et al 2021 ). In the present study, an additional new species of Liotyphlops is described from Colombia.…”

“…Total length, 290 mm; tail, 10 mm.” Only five years after the original description, H. beui was placed in the synonymy of H. ternetzii by Amaral (1929) himself, but 55 years later Dixon and Kofron (1984) believed the species was valid and removed it from the synonymy of L. ternetzii based on the possession of 20 scale rows around the posterior body (22 in L. ternetzii ) and fewer dorsal scales, 384–455 (vs 463–510 in L. ternetzii ). Despite some authors maintaining L. beui as synonym of L. ternetzii (e.g., Peters et al 1986 ), most subsequent authors have followed Dixon and Kofron (1984) and treated L. beui as a valid species ( McDiarmid et al 1999 ; Freire et al 2007 ; Haad et al 2008 ; Centeno et al 2010 ; Wallach et al 2014 ; Santos and Reis 2018 ; Boundy 2021 ; Linares-Vargas et al 2021 ).…”

Taxonomic notes on the head squamation of the genus Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 (Serpentes, Anomalepididae)

“…According to modern taxonomy, Liotyphlops consists of 12 species popularly known as ''blindsnakes'' (Santos and Reis 2018;Boundy 2021;Linares-Vargas et al 2021;Entiauspe Neto 2023;Marra Santos 2023): Liotyphlops albirostris (Peters, 1858); Liotyphlops anops (Cope, 1899); Liotyphlops argaleus Dixon & Kofron, 1984;Liotyphlops bondensis (Griffin, 1916); Liotyphlops caissara Centeno, Sawaya & Germano, 2010;Liotyphlops haadi Silva-Haad, Franco & Maldonado, 2008; Liotyphlops palauophis Marra Santos, 2023;Liotyphlops schubarti Vanzolini, 1948; Liotyphlops taylori Santos & Reis, 2018;Liotyphlops ternetzii (Boulenger, 1896); Liotyphlops trefauti Freire, Caramaschi & Argôlo, 2007;and Liotyphlops wilderi (Garman, 1883). In recent years, the description of new species of Anomalepididae have been restricted to the genus Liotyphlops (Freire et al 2007;Haad et al 2008;Centeno et al 2010;Santos and Reis 2018;Marra Santos 2023).…”