Plagiopholis styani
Plagiopholis styani, also known by the common name Chinese mountain snake, is a species of colubrid snake. Its type locality is Kuatun (Guadun in modern spelling: Chinese: 挂墩; pinyin: guàdūn) in Wuyishan, Fujian.[2] It is found in southern and central China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam.[1] It is an uncommon species,[1] and very rare in Taiwan. It is named after Frederick William Styan, a Shanghai-based English tea merchant and ornithologist.[3][4]
| Plagiopholis styani | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Plagiopholis |
| Species: | P. styani |
| Binomial name | |
| Plagiopholis styani (Boulenger, 1899) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Plagiopholis styani is a small non-venomous snake, reaching a total length (including tail) of up to 40 cm (16 in). Its upper head, body and tail are red-brown, olive-brown, or green-brown, with flecks of pink or black pigment on each scale, especially for those on the flanks of body. The upper body and tail have a spotted pattern of black or light yellow. There is a dark and thick cross band on nape, reflected in its Chinese name, Fujian neck-blotched snake (Chinese: 福建頸斑蛇).[3]
Habitat and ecology
Plagiopholis styani occurs in areas of montane and bamboo forest, including caves.[1] It is a nocturnal snake that eats mainly earthworms and arthropods. It uses its head to burrow. Females produce clutches of 5–11 eggs in summer.[3]
References
- Vogel G, Guo P, Lau M, Li P (2012). "Plagiopholis styani ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T177442A1486765. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T177442A1486765.en.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- Plagiopholis styani at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 10 June 2014.
- Breuer, Hans; Murphy, William Christopher (2009–2010). "Plagiopholis styani ". Snakes of Taiwan.
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Plagiopholis styani, p. 258).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1899). "On a Collection of Reptiles and Batrachians made by Mr. J. D. La Touche in N.W. Fokien, China". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899: 159-172 + Plates XVI-XIX. (Trirhinopholis styani, new species, pp. 145–165 + Plate XVIII, figures 2, 2a).