Abstract
The assimilis species group is one of the several assemblages that can be distinguished within the genus Apostolepis. The group is characterized by a uniform red dorsal pattern, broad nucho-cervical collars, enlarged light snout blotch, dark ventral head, and entirely black terminal shield. A new species is here recognized as a member of the assimilis group and its phylogenetic relationships to A. assimilis and A. cearensis is inferred by means of cladistic analysis. Apostolepis ammodites sp. nov. can be easily diagnosed from all congeners by many autapomorphies and an exclusive combination of features. Comparative data are presented on scalation, coloration, dentition, osteology, and geographic distribution, with some notes on feeding and reproductive biology. The new species occurs through central Brazilian Cerrado, filling a gap between the areas occupied by A. assimilis and A. cearensis. Although superficially resembling A. assimilis, parsimony analysis based on morphological data indicates its phylogenetic relationships closest to A. cearensis. Systematic analysis shows that two recently described species, A. freitasi and A. tertulianobeui, must be relegated as junior synonymies of A. cearensis and A. assimilis, respectively.
Highlights
The South American fossorial snakes of the genus Apostolepis Cope 1862 consist of a highly speciose clade of about 30 species, and a number of yet undescribed ones
Along with the description of the new species we report the state observed for most external characters currently thought to be diagnostic for the new species relative to its congeners (Ferrarezzi, 1993; Harvey, 1999; Harvey et al, 2001)
The results of the cladistic analysis demonstrate that A. ammodites sp. nov. is closer to A. cearensis than A. assimilis (Fig. 11)
Summary
The South American fossorial snakes of the genus Apostolepis Cope 1862 consist of a highly speciose clade of about 30 species, and a number of yet undescribed ones The taxonomy of such an already difficult group (Vanzolini, 1986; Ferrarezzi, 1993; Harvey, 1999) has become increasingly complex, due to the lack of a comprehensive systematic review but, because of a recent proliferation of poorly described new taxa (e.g., Lema, 2002, 2003, 2004a,b). Ferrarezzi (1993), recognized the assimilis species group of Apostolepis to include A. assimilis and A. cearensis, and considered A. sanctaeritae as conspecific to A. cearensis, rather than a synonym of flavotorquata (Amaral, 1930, 1936; Peters & OrejasMiranda, 1970) or a valid species (Lema & Fernandes, 1997; Lema, 2002)
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