Southern Durango spotted garter snake

The Southern Durango spotted garter snake (Thamnophis nigronuchalis) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to the state of Durango, Mexico.

Southern Durango spotted garter snake
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Species:
T. nigronuchalis
Binomial name
Thamnophis nigronuchalis
Thompson, 1957

Description

This is a heavy-bodied, medium sized garter snake. It has an oval-shaped head with two supralabial scales, two preocular scales, and a distinct black blotch on the dorsal surface of its neck. It has 149-165 ventral and 63-70 caudal scales. Ventral scales are heavily pigmented, often forming an irregular black stripe. The dorsal pattern consists of rufous-colored spots outlined in black in 5-10 rows, with no dorsal or lateral stripes.[2]

Taxonomy

Classification

While it is now considered a valid species,[3] some authorities have classified this snake as a subspecies of the narrow-headed garter snake under the name Thamnophis rufipunctatus nigronuchalis.[4]

Etymology

The specific name nigronuchalis references the Latin word nigro meaning black, and nuchal meaning of the nape, and is derived from the black neck patch characteristic of the species.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This snake is endemic to Durango state in Mexico,[5] where it is found in wet meadows and riparian areas at altitudes of 8500–9000 feet.[2] It appears to be restricted to high elevation drainage basins of the Sierra Madre Occidental.[6]

Diet

This species has been documented to eat earthworms and amphibians, including Rana pipiens and Hyla species.[2]

References
  1. "Thamnophis nigronuchalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007. 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  2. Thompson, Fred G (22 March 1957). "A New Mexican Gartersnake (Genus Thamnophis) With Notes On Related Forms" (PDF). Occaional Papers of the Museum of Zoology (584): 1–10. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  3. "ITIS Standard Report Page: Thamnophis nigronuchalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  4. Tanner, William W (31 July 1990). "Thamnophis rufipunctatus" (PDF). Catalog of American Amphibians and Reptiles (CAAR). Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. Lemos-Espinal, Julio A.; Smith, Geoffrey R.; Gadsden-Esparza, Hector; Valdez-Lares, Rosaura; Woolrich-Piña, Guillermo A. (4 April 2018). "Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Durango, Mexico, with comparisons with adjoining states". ZooKeys (748): 65–87. doi:10.3897/zookeys.748.22768. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  6. Rossman, Douglas A; Ford, Neil B; Seigal, Richard A (1996). The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 216–218. ISBN 0806128208.
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