Abstract
Tropidolaemus wagleri is a species of Asian pitviper with a geographic range including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Bruniei, parts of Indonesia, and the Philippines. Tropidolaemus is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily, within Viperidae. The genus Tropidolaemus includes five species, and was once included within the genus Trimeresurus. While some osteologic characteristics have been noted a comprehensive description of cranial elements has not been produced for T. wagleri. An in-depth description of the cranial skeleton of Tropidolaemus wagleri lays the foundation for future projects to compare and contrast other taxa within Crotalinae and Viperidae. The chosen reference specimen was compared to the presumed younger specimens to note any variation in ontogeny. The study here provides a comprehensive description of isolated cranial elements as well as a description of ontogenetic change within the specimens observed. This study contributes to the knowledge of osteological characters in T. wagleri and provides a foundation for a long term project to identify isolated elements in the fossil record.
Highlights
Tropidolaemus is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily within the family Viperidae (Reptilia: Squamata)
Posterior end of the ectopterygoid overlaps the pterygoid in the middle of its lateral curvature, with the posterior ventral process of the ectopterygoid contacting the lateral process of the pterygoid
Lateral process is rectangular in shape, with a point at the posterior end that curves medially back toward the shaft of the bone
Summary
Tropidolaemus is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily within the family Viperidae (Reptilia: Squamata). Members of the Crotalinae possess a heat sensitive pit between the eye and the naris located on each side of the head (“pitvipers”). Tropidolaemus wagleri specimens often show laterally compressed bodies, slender in males while thick and stout in females. T. wagleri has a geographic range including Southern Thailand, West Malaysia, Sumatra, Nias, Mentawei Archipelago, and Bangka Island (but not Belitung) [1]. They are typically found in wet, low elevation forests on lower branches of trees, and are viviparous [2]. Females display a black and yellow “speckled” coloration, their body is a glossy black with 25–30 irregular bright yellow vertical crossbars [1]. Tropidolaemus exhibits dramatic ontogenetic color change and dramatic sexual dimorphism, further complicating the arrangement of species and possible subspecies [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
