Hemipenial Morphology of African Snakes: A Taxonomic Review. Part 1. Scolecophidia and Boidae

Abstract

Techniques and terminology used in a survey of African snake hemipenial mor- phology are introduced. Descriptions are given of the hemipenes of a number of scolecophidians, including Leptotyphlops scutifrons, L. conjunctus, L. nigricans, Typhlops bibroni, T. fornasini, T. schlegeli dinga and T. lalandei. The typhlopid hemipenes are robust, simple structures, with nude bases, varied flounced ornamentation, and a terminal cup into which the undivided sulcus drains. No hemipenial features support the recognition of Rhinotyphlops. Unlike the relatively compli- cated hemipenes of Neotropical leptotyphlopids, the hemipenes of the African species are simple, unornamented, elongate structures, with undivided sulci and swollen basal regions. The hemipenes of African Phython and Eryx are described. The smaller African pythons (P. regius and P. anchietae) have undivided organs, similar to those of the Asian blood python (P. curtus). P. regius and P. curtus have an unusual oblique terminal capitulum. Terminal awns are found only in P. regius and P. sebae. The hemipenis of P. anchietae is intermediate between that of the smaller and larger species of the P. molurus group (sensu McDowell). The python hemipenis, like most boid hemipenes, has a prominent fleshy papilla on the asulcal surface of the proximal flounce. This is not found in Eryx hemipenes, or in those of Lichanura rosefusca. Erycine hemipenes are simple, or at most shallowly-forked, clavate in shape, with a divided sulcus, the forks of which drain into lateral cups. They are similar to the hemipenes of Xenopeltis (which is illustrated) and Loxocemus.