Oligodon pseudotaeniatus

Oligodon pseudotaeniatus, commonly known as the false striped kukri snake,[1] is a species of colubrid snake. It is endemic to Thailand and known from the Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Saraburi Province, and Bangkok.[2][3] The type series was collected by Malcolm Arthur Smith. The specific name pseudotaeniatus refers to its similarity to Oligodon taeniatus, with whom it was confused prior to its species description in 2008.[2]

Oligodon pseudotaeniatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Oligodon
Species:
O. pseudotaeniatus
Binomial name
Oligodon pseudotaeniatus
David, Vogel & van Rooijen, 2008[2]

Description

Oligodon pseudotaeniatus are small snakes. Three males in the type series measured 236–254 mm (9.3–10.0 in) in snout–vent length (SVL) and had 61–66 mm (2.4–2.6 in) long tail. The only female had 222 and 36 mm (8.7 and 1.4 in) SVL and tail length, respectively.[2]

This species is morphologically similar to Oligodon taeniatus, differing from the latter by the combination of 17 dorsal scale rows at its midbody, eight supralabials, the absence of dorsal and tail blotches, and the presence of a single vertebral black stripe but no dorsolateral stripes.[2]

Habitat and conservation

This terrestrial and diurnal species occurs in deciduous dipterocarp forests and agricultural land (e.g., cassava plots).[1]

There seem not to be major threats to this species as it tolerates human-modified habitats; however, it has probably been extirpated from Bangkok. It is presumed to be safe in parts of its range that include the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve on the western edge of the Khorat Plateau.[1]

References
  1. Stuart, B.; Chan-Ard, T. (2012). "Oligodon pseudotaeniatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2012: e.T192055A2033983. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192055A2033983.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. David, P.; Vogel, G.; van Rooijen, J. (2008). "A revision of the Oligodon taeniatus (Günther, 1861) group (Squamata: Colubridae), with the description of three new species from the Indochinese Region". Zootaxa. 1965: 1–49.
  3. Oligodon pseudotaeniatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 September 2016.

Further reading
  • Neang, Thy, L. Lee Grismer, and Jennifer C. Daltry. "A new species of kukri snake (Colubridae: Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826) from the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Cardamom Mountains, southwest Cambodia." Zootaxa 3388 (2012): 41-55.
  • Vassilieva, Anna B., et al. "A new species of Kukri Snake (Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826; Squamata: Colubridae) from the Cat Tien National Park, southern Vietnam." Zootaxa 3702.3 (2013): 233-246.
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