Boiga Research Articles

A CONTRIBUTION TO Boiga gokool (GRAY, 1835) (REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: COLUBRIDAE)

The holotype of Boiga gokool , a poorly known species of cat snake having a narrow distributional limit in easternIndia and Bangladesh is redescribed. Based on fresh material and museum specimens the taxonomy of thespecies is revised. Investigations into the literature, museum specimens and new distributional records have enabledcorrections of erroneous reports and also mapping the distribution of this species. The study also recordsdata on its microhabitat, behavior and hitherto unknown information on its breeding biology. A distributionalsummary of sympatric species of Boiga occurring in eastern India is also provided and a determination key of theEast Indian Boiga species is provided.

New records of cat snakes, Boiga Fitzinger, 1826 (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae), from Vietnam, inclusive of an extended diagnosis of Boiga bourreti Tillack, Le & Ziegler, 2004

We present ten new provincial records of six cat snake species of the genus Boiga Fitzinger based on 18 specimens recently collected from Vietnam. With respect to the recently described B. bourreti, which was so far only known from the female holotype from Quang Binh Province, we herein extend the species' diagnosis based on four additional specimens from Quang Binh and Kon Tum provinces, including the first juvenile, subadult, and males known. B. cyanea is recorded for the first time from Lao Cai Province in northern Vietnam, from Quang Binh and Kon Tum provinces in central Vietnam, and from Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. B. guangxiensis is recorded for the first time from Dak Lak Province, B. jaspidea from Dong Nai Province, B. kraepelini from Bac Giang and Hoa Binh provinces, and B. multomaculata from Ha Giang Province. Furthermore we provide updated distribution maps of these species in Vietnam. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Systematic status and correct nomen of the western North African cat snake: Telescopus tripolitanus (Werner, 1909) (Serpentes: Colubridae), with comments on the other taxa in the dhara-obtusus group

The systematics and nomenclature of the genus Telescopus in north Africa (the dhara – obtusus – tripolitanus group) have been revised based on examination of the original descriptions and type specimens (when still extant) of all proposed nomina and of more than 100 specimens. Using colour and lepidosis characters, the following taxonomic decisions are proposed: 1. Telescopus tripolitanus (Werner, 1909) is considered a valid species. 2. Tarbophis guidimakaensis Chabanaud, 1916 is a junior subjective synonym of T. tripolitanus. 3. Pseudotarbophis gabesi Domergue, 1955 is a junior subjective synonym of T. tripolitanus. 4. “Pseudotarbophis gabesiensis” Domergue, 1959 is an incorrect subsequent spelling and is thus not an available nomen. 5. Telescopus dhara dhara (Forsskål, 1775), Telescopus dhara obtusus (Reuss, 1834) and Telescopus dhara somalicus (Parker, 1949) are valid, clearly diagnosable, allopatric taxa that we provisionally maintain at subspecific rank. 6. Tarbophis guentheri, Anderson, 1895 is a junior subjective synonym of T. dhara dhara. 7. Telescopus gezirae Broadley 1994 is maintained as a valid species.

Taxonomy, Natural History, and Distribution of the Snakes of the Nicobar Islands (India), Based on New Materials and with an Emphasis on Endemic Species

During an extensive survey of herpetofauna of the Nicobar Islands, a total of 15 islands were sampled for snakes. A total of 14 species of snakes belonging to 11 genera and five families were recorded. The colubrid Oligodon woodmasoni was recorded for the first time since its description. We also confirm the occurrence of the pitvipers Trimeresurus albolabris and Trimeresurus andersoni . More than 50 new geographical localities have been identified for the species recorded. For the first time ecological and distributional data are provided for the endemic species Trimeresurus labialis , Trimeresurus cantori , Oligodon woodmasoni , Dendrelaphis humayuni , Lycodon tiwarii , and Boiga wallachi . A compilation of the past-confirmed records of snake species and the results of the current study indicate the Nicobar Islands snake fauna is composed of 19 species of non-marine and three species of marine snakes. The highest number of species was observed in forest and the encounter rate was greater in streams, ponds and caves. Grasslands, though extensive in the Central Nicobars, supported very few species. Trimeresurus cantori was identified as the most commonly encountered species in the Central Nicobars. The encounter rate for T. cantori was more than twice the next common species, Trimeresurus labialis .

Phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae, Hepatozoon sp., Haemogregarina clelandi and Haemoproteus chelodina from Australian reptiles to other Apicomplexa based on cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characters.

The phylogeny of representative haemozoan species of the phylum Apicomplexa was reconstructed by cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characteristics. The analysis incorporated 4 apicomplexans previously not included in phylogenetic reconstructions: Haemogregarina clelandi from the Brisbane River tortoise (Emydura signata), Hepatozoon sp. from the slaty grey snake (Stegonotus cucullatus), Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae from the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), and Haemoproteus chelodina from the saw-shelled tortoise (Elseya latisternum). There was no apparent correlation between parasite phylogeny and that of their vertebrate hosts, but there appeared to be some relationship between parasites and their intermediate hosts, suggestive of parasite/vector co-evolution.

A New Species of Genus Boiga (Serpentes: Colubridae: Colubrinae) and Color Atlas of Boigas from Bengkulu Province (Sumatra, Indonesia)

The description of a new species of the genus Boiga is based on the examination of one adult specimen (female) from the Bengkulu Province (Sumatra, Indonesia). A comparative analysis of the new species with all the species of the Boiga genus of the Sunda Archipelago (Indonesia), Philippines, Andaman and Nikobar Islands, and Indochina was carried out: Boiga cynodon , B. guangxiensis , B. ocellata , B. dendrophila ssp., B. tanahjampeana , B. drapiezii , B. angulata , B. philippina , B. schultzei , B. irregularis , B. jaspidea , B. multomaculata , B. nigriceps , B. cyanea , B. saengsom , B. andamanensis , B. wallachii . There given new records of boigas and detailed description of five color forms of Boiga cynodon from the Bengkulu Province.

Molecular phylogeny of Tornier's cat snake (Crotaphopeltis tornieri), endemic to East African mountain forests: biogeography, vicariance events and problematic species boundaries

Five isolated populations of the East African snake species Crotaphopeltis tornieri were investigated using mitochondrial sequence data from the genes cytochrome B and NADH2. The congeneric species Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia and three species of the closely related genera Dipsadoboa were used as outgroups. The results were analysed using unweighted parsimony and the reconstructed phylogeny revealed four well-defined evolutionarily significant units. Very high levels of genetic diversity was observed. The highest levels of divergence was observed between specimens from Mount Rungwe and the remaining populations. A similar pattern but with much lower divergence levels has been observed for the bird species Andropadus masukuensis. Together they indicate that Mt Rungwe is an important area for future conservation efforts. In the analysis of the combined data set C. tornieri appear as non-monophyletic with C. hotamboeia being the sister group to all C. tornieri populations except those on Mt Rungwe. The validity of C. tornieri and C. hotamboeia as species was thereby questioned by the data. However, the support for this is very weak and no nomenclatural consequences are suggested at present. Molekulare Phylogenie der in den Bergwäldern Ostafrikas endemischen Tornierschen Rotlippenschlange (Crotaphopeltis tornieri): Biogeographie, Vikarianz und problematische Artabgrenzungen Fünf isolierte Populationen der ostafrikanischen Schlangenart Crotaphopeltis tornieri wurden anhand von mitochondriellen Sequenzdaten der Gene Cytochrom B und NADH 2 untersucht. Die phylogenetische Analyse ergab nur einen phylogenetischen Stammbaum, wo C. tornieri sich als nicht monophyletisch erweist, indem drei Individuen der Art C. hotamboeia die Schwestergruppe zu den C. tornieri Populationen der Berggebiete Ost-und Westusambara, Uluguru und Uzungwe bilden, nicht aber zu den Individuen aus dem Rungwegebirge, ein Befund der sich somit im Gegensatz zur existierenden morphologisch basierten Taxonomie dieser Arten befindet. Die molekülaren Daten deuten an, dass der Speziesstatus von C. tornieri und C. hotamboeia problema. Dieser Schluss basiert jedoch ausschliesslich auf mitochondriellen Sequenzdaten und, bevor system-atische Änderungen vorgeschlagen werden können, ist eine mehr umfassende Datenerhebung notwendig, z.B. anhand einer morphologischen Parsimonieanalyse und einer Anwendung zusätzlicher genetischer Marker. Die phylogenetische Parsimonieanalyse innerhalb von C. tonieri (sensu lato) erstellte vier wohldefinierte ESU (Evolutionary Significant Units). Auch wurde ein hohes Niveau genetischer Vielfalt zwischen den untersuchten Populationen ermittelt. Die Exemplare aus dem Rungwegebirge, im südwestlichen Teil des Untersuchungsgebiets gelegen, erwiesen sich im Vergleich zu den übrigen Populationen als sehr verschieden. Ein identisches Muster, jedoch mit geringerer genetischer Diversität, ist bereits für die Vogelart Andropadus masukuensis bekannt. Sowohl die hier vorgestellten Befunde als auch ornithologische Daten zeigen an, dass das Rungwegebirge seit mehreren Millionen Jahren von den übrigen Bergregenwaldgebieten isoliert ist und dass es sich hier teilweise umeine einzigartige genetische Vielfalt handelt. Das Rungwegebirge sei deshalb als Zielgebiet für zukünftige Untersuchungen im Rahmen unbedingt notwendiger Naturbewahrungsstrategien vorgeschlagen.

Caryospora telescopis sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Cat snake, Telescopus fallax (Serpentes: Colubridae), and Caryospora spec. from the West Caucasian viper, Vipera kaznakovi (Serpentes: Viperidae)

Summary Oocysts of a new coccidian parasite, Caryospora telescopis, sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the feces of a Cat snake, Telescopus fallax, from Greece, and their morphology is compared to that of similar Caryospora species reported from ophidian hosts. The spherical oocysts of Caryospora telescopis measure 21.5 (19.1–23.5) μm and do not possess micropyle and oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoid, 11.4 (10.3–11.8) μm in width by 15 (14.7–16.2) μm in length, with prominent reel shaped Stieda body as well as substieda body. Sporocyst residuum present and consisting of numerous granules. The sporulation was completed in 48 to 72 h at 23 ± 2 °C. This is the first account of the genus Caryospora from the Cat snake, Telescopus fallax. In addition the finding of Caryospora oocysts excreted by the West Caucasian viper, Vipera kaznakovi, is reported and discussed.

An Unusual Method of Immobilizing Avian Prey by the Dog-Tooth Cat Snake, Boiga cynodon

An Unusual Method of Immobilizing Avian Prey by the Dog-Tooth Cat Snake, Boiga cynodon

A New Colubrid Snake (Boiga) from Southeastern Asia

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