Madagascarophis lolo

Madagascarophis lolo is a species of snakes endemic to Madagascar.[2][3] It is colloquially referred to as ghost snake.[4][5] It was found in a lime rock formation.[6][7]

Madagascarophis lolo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Lamprophiidae
Genus: Madagascarophis
Species:
M. lolo
Binomial name
Madagascarophis lolo
Ruane, Burbrink, Randriamahatantsoa, and Raxworthy, 2016[1]

Description
la' indicates infralabial scales

Madagascarophis lolo can be identified from other species in its genus by its gray, overall body color with black vertebral stripe and dorsal, alternating lighter gray splotches. It has 25 midbody scale rows, 189 ventral scales and 56 divided subcaudal scales. With the exception of M. fuchsi, it differs from all other Madagascarophis species by having extended contact of posterior infralabial scales. M. lolo can be distinguished from M. fuchsi by its slightly lower number of infralabial scales, with M. lolo having around 10 infralabial scales to the approximately 12–13 infralabial scales of M. fuchsi.[1][2]

Behavior

Alike other species of Madagascarophis, M. lolo is nocturnal.[1]

Habitat
Ankarana Reserve karst in Ankarana National Park, the park in which, Madagascophis lolo was first sighted and documented.

Their habitat is variable, as they are terrestrial and semi-arboreal, but mainly are found on karst rock formations. Researchers propose that the rarity of M. lolo sightings could be due to their rough terrain habitat, as the karst rock formations are difficult to navigate, especially in the night, when M. lolo would be active.[1]

Distribution

Madagascarophis lolo is probably endemic to karst areas of Analamerana and Ankarana of Madagascar.[1]

Etymology

Madagascarophis lolo gets its specific name lolo from the Malagasy word for "ghost". There are two reasons for this name, namely, the pale gray color of the ghost snake, and the elusiveness of the species relative to other species in an area of Ankarana that is relatively well explored.[1]

References
  1. Ruane, Sara; Burbrink, Frank T.; Randriamahatantsoa, Bernard; Raxworthy, Christopher J. (2016). "The cat-eyed snakes of Madagascar: Phylogeny and description of a new species of Madagascarophis (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae) from the Tsingy of Ankarana". Copeia. 104 (3): 712–721. doi:10.1643/ch-15-346. S2CID 88551277.
  2. Madagascarophis lolo at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 June 2017.
  3. "Madagascarophis lolo: New Species of Cat-Eyed Snake Discovered in Madagascar | Biology | Sci-News.com". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  4. "'Ghost snake' discovered in Madagascar". www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  5. "'Ghost snake' species discovered in Madagascar". The Hindu. 2016-09-04. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  6. NatureWorldNews (2016-09-04). "Rare Discovery: Lolo the 'Ghost' Snake Found in a Lime Rock Formation in Madagascar". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  7. Supernova, Periwinkle (2016-09-05). "'Ghost' Snake New Species Discovered In Madagascar Rock Formation - News Independent". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
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