Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 4392 No. 3: 12 Mar. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-03-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4392.3.4
Page range: 491–520
Abstract views: 83
PDF downloaded: 3

Species delimitations in the Atractus collaris complex (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20940-040, Brazil.
Laboratório de Herpetologia, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, PB 399, Belém, PA 66040-170, Brazil.
Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20940-040, Brazil.
Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas-Sinchi, Sede principal, Av. Vásquez Cobo, Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia.
Laboratorio de anfibios, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Apartado 1495, Bogot DC, Colombia.
Reptilia Atractus gaigeae Atractus limitaneus Atractus alphonsehogei species boundaries color patterns morphometry microdermatoglyphics hemipenis Amazonia

Abstract

We reassessed the taxonomic status of the species in the Atractus collaris complex (A. alphonsehogei, A. collaris, A. limitaneus, and A. gaigeae) on the basis of congruence between quantitative and qualitative morphological characters (meristic, morphometric, color pattern, hemipenis, and scale microdematoglyphics) along its wide geographical distribution. Our results support the recognition of three species with apparently fixed diagnostic characters. We propose the synonymization of Atractus limitaneus with A. collaris based on the wide overlap of all morphological character systems here analyzed, as well as on the basis of examination of the holotype and two topotypes of A. limitaneus. Finally, we discuss the geographical variation and morphological distinction of A. alphonsehogei, A. collaris and A. gaigeae. Furthermore, we provide a dichotomous key for all recognized species in the A. collaris species group.

 

References

  1. Amaral, A. (1935) Estudos sobre ophidios neotropicos. XXXIII. Novas espécies de ophidios da Colômbia Memórias do Instituto Butantan, 9, 219–223.

    Almeida, P.C., Passos, P., Feitosa, D.T. & Prudente, A.L.C. (2014) Morphological variation and taxonomy of the Atractus latifrons (Günther, 1868) (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Zootaxa, 3860 (1), 64–80.
    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3860.1.3

    Andreone, F. & Gavetti, E. (2007) The life and Herpetological Contribution of Mario Giacinto Peracca 1861-1923. Facsimile published by Society of Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Salt Lake City, 570 pp.

    Arteaga, A., Mebert, K., Valencia, J.H. Cisneros-Heredia, D., Peñafiel, N., Reyes-Puig, C., Vieira-Fernandes, J.L. & Guayasamin, J.M. (2017) Molecular phylogeny of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae), with emphasis on Ecuadorian species and description of three species. Zookeys, 661, 91–123.
    https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.661.11224

    Bocourt, W. (1883) Mission scientifique au Mexique et dans l’Amérique Centrale. Recherches zoologiques. Troisième partie. Première Section. Études sur les Reptiles. Imprimeire Nationale, Paris, 1012 pp.

    Boulenger, G.A. (1894) Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 2. Trustees of the British Museum, London, 448 pp.

    Boulenger, G.A. (1896) Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 3. Trustees of the British Museum, London, 727 pp.

    BRAZIL. (2014) Diário Oficial da União. Sessão 1. Portaria 444. Available from: http://www.jusbrasil.com.br/diarios/82544531/dou-secao-1-18-12-2014-pg-121 (accessed 20 April 2017)

    Carrillo, N.E. & Icochea, J. (1995) Lista taxonómica preliminar de los reptiles vivientes del Perú. Publicaciones del Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, serie Zoología, 49, 1–27.

    Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2005) Rediscovery of the Ecuadorian snake Atractus dunni Savage, 1955 (Serpentes: Colubridae). Řada Přírodovědná, 174, 87–114.

    Cunha, O.R. & Nascimento, F.P. (1983) Ofídios da Amazônia XX—As espécies de Atractus Wagler, 1828 na Amazônia oriental e Maranhão. (Ophidia, Colubridae). Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Nova Série, 123, 1–37.

    Cunha, O.R. & Nascimento, F.P. (1984) Ofídios da Amazônia XXI—Atractus zidoki no leste do Pará e notas sobre A. alphonsehogei e A. schach. (Ophidia, Colubridae). Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Zoologia, 1, 219–228.

    de Fraga, R., Almeida, A.P., Moraes, L.J.C.L., Gordo, M., Pirani, R., Zamora, R.R., Carvalho, V.T., Passos, P. & Werneck, F.P. (2017) Narrow endemism or insufficient sampling? Geographic range extension and morphological variation of the poorly known Atractus riveroi Roze, 1961 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Herpetological Review, 48 (2), 281–284.

    de Queiroz, K. (1998) The general concept of species, species criteria, and the process of speciation: a conceptual unification and terminological recommendations. In: Howard, D. & Berlocher, S.H. (Eds.), Endless Forms: Species and Speciation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 57–75.

    Dixon, J.R. & Soini, P. (1977) The reptiles of the upper Amazon basin, Iquitos region, Peru. Contributions in Biology and Geology of the Milwaukee Public Museum, 12, 1–91.

    Dowling, H.G. (1951) A proposed standard system of counting ventrals in snakes. British Journal of Herpetology, 1, 97–99.

    Dowling, H.G. & Savage, J.M. (1960) A guide to the snake hemipenis: a survey of basic structure and systematic characters. Zoologica, 45, 17–28.

    Efron, B. (1979) Bootstrap methods: another look at the Jackknife. Annals of Statistics, 7, 1–26.
    https://doi.org/10.1214/aos/1176344552

    Ferrarezzi, H. (1994) Uma sinopse dos gêneros e classificação das serpentes (Squamata): II família Colubridae. In: Nascimento, L.B., Bernardes, A.T. & Cotta, G.A. (Eds.), Herpetologia no Brasil. Published by PUC-MG, Fundação Biodiversitas & Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, pp. 81–91.

    Franco, F.L. (2012) A coleção herpetológica do Instituto Butantan: da sua origem ao incêndio ocorrido em 15 de maio de 2010. Herpetologia Brasileira, 1, 22–31.

    Gasc, J.P. & Rodigues, M.T. (1979) Une nouvelle espèce du genre Atractus (Colubridae, Serpentes) de la Guyane française. Bulletin du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 4 (1), Section A, 545–557.

    Giraudo, A.R. & Scrocchi, G.J. (2000) The genus Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Argentina. Herpetological Journal, 10, 81–90.

    Google (2005) http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/history.html#2005 (Accessed 20 April 2017)

    Hoogmoed, M.S. (1980) Revision of the genus Atractus in Surinam, with the resurrection of two species (Colubridae, Reptilia). Notes on the herpetofauna of Surinam VII. Zoologische Verhanderlingen, 175, 1–47.

    ICZN (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature) (1999) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Adopted by the International Union of Biological Sciences. International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, London, 306 pp.

    IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). (2011) Índice de Nomes Geográficos, Vol. 1. escala 1:100.000, Base Geográfica Continua do Brasil ao Milionésimo—BCIM. Ministério do Planejamento, Orçamento & Gestão, Brasília, 388 pp.

    Köhler, G. & Kieckbusch, M. (2014) Two new species of Atractus from Colombia (Reptilia: Squamata: Dipsadidae). Zootaxa, 3872 (3), 291–300.
    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3872.3.5

    Kok, P.J.R., Rivas, G.A.F. & Pauwels, O.S.G. (2007) The taxonomic status of the Venezuelan snake Atractus matthewi and A. nororientalis (Serpentes, Colubridae). Zootaxa, 1493, 66–68.

    Kumar, A. (2010) A tragic loss: fire at Instituto Butantan, Brazil. Toxicon, 1528–1529.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.07.002

    Lehr, E. (2002) Amphibien und Reptilien in Peru. NTV Wissenschaft Publisher, Münster, 206 pp.

    Lindell, L.E. (1994) The evolution of vertebral number and body size in snakes. Functional Ecology, 8, 708–719.
    https://doi.org/10.2307/2390230

    Manly, B.F.J. (2005) Multivariate Statistical Methods: A Primer. Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, Boca Raton, 224 pp.

    Martins, M. & Oliveira, M.E. (1993) The snakes of the genus Atractus Wagler (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae) from the Manaus region, central Amazonia, Brazil. Zoologische Mededelingen, 67, 21–40.

    MathWorks, Inc. (1994) Matlab for Windows Version 4.2c1. The MathWorks, Texas Tech University, Abilene. [software]

    Myers, C.W. (2003) Rare snakes–five new species from eastern Panama: reviews of northern Atractus and southern Geophis (Colubridae: Dipsadinae). American Museum Novitates, 3391, 1–47.

    Passos, P. & Arredondo, J.C. (2009) Rediscovery and redescription of the Andean earth-snake Atractus wagleri (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae). Zootaxa, 1969, 59–68.

    Passos, P. & Fernandes, R. (2008) A new species of the colubrid snake genus Atractus (Reptilia: Serpentes) from the central Amazon of Brazil. Zootaxa, 1849, 59–66.

    Passos, P. & Fernandes, R. (2009) 2008 Revision of the Epicrates cenchria complex (Serpentes: Boidae). Herpetological Monographs, 22, 1–30.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/06-003.1

    Passos, P. & Lynch, J.D. (2011) 2010 Revision of Atractus from upper and middle Magdalena drainage of Colombia. Herpetological Monographs, 24, 149–173. https://doi.org/10.1655/09-041.1

    Passos, P. & Prudente, A.L.C. (2012) Morphological variation, polymorphism and taxonomy of the Atractus torquatus complex (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Zootaxa, 3407, 1–21.

    Passos P., Fernandes, R. & Zanella N. (2005) A new species of Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Southern Brazil. Herpetologica, 61, 209–218.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/03-91

    Passos, P., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. & Salazar-V., D. (2007a) Rediscovery and redescription of the rare Andean snake Atractus modestus. Herpetological Journal, 17, 1–6.

    Passos, P., Fernandes, D.S. & Borges-Nojosa, D.M. (2007b) A new species of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadinae) from a relictual forest in Northeasten Brazil. Copeia, 2007, 788–797.
    https://doi.org/10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[788:ANSOAS]2.0.CO;2

    Passos, P., Aguayo, R. & Scrocchi, G. (2009a) Rediscovery of the rare Atractus bocki, with assessment of the taxonomic status of A. canedii (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadidae). Journal of Herpetology, 43, 710–715.
    https://doi.org/10.1670/08-209.1

    Passos, P., Arredondo, J.C., Fernandes, R. & Lynch, J.D. (2009b) Three new Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Andes of Colombia. Copeia, 2009, 425–438.
    https://doi.org/10.1643/CH-08-063

    Passos, P., Fuenmayor, G.R. & Barrio-Amorós, C. (2009c) Description of two new species from Venezuela in the highly diverse dipsadine genus Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae). Amphibia-Reptilia, 30, 233–243.
    https://doi.org/10.1163/156853809788201199

    Passos, P., Lynch, J.D. & Fernandes, R. (2009d) 2008 Taxonomic status of Atractus sanctaemartae and A. nebularis, and description of a new species of Atractus from Atlantic coast of Colombia. Herpetological Journal, 18, 175–186.

    Passos, P., Mueses-Cisneros, J.J., Lynch, J.D. & Fernandes, R. (2009e) Pacific lowland snakes of the genus Atractus (Reptilia: Serpentes: Dipsadidae), with descriptions of three new species. Zootaxa, 2293, 1–34.

    Passos, P., Dobiey, M. & Venegas, P.J. (2010a) Variation and natural history notes on giant groundsnakes, Atractus gigas (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). South American Journal of Hepetology, 5, 73–82.
    https://doi.org/10.2994/057.005.0201

    Passos, P., Chiesse, A., Torres-Carvajal, O. & Savage, J.M. (2010b) 2009. Testing species boundaries within Atractus occipitoalbus complex (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae). Herpetologica, 65, 384–403.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/08-024.1

    Passos, P., Fernandes, R., Bérnils, R.S. & Moura-Leite, J.C. (2010c) Taxonomic revision of Atlantic Forest Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Zootaxa, 2364, 1–63.

    Passos, P., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Rivera, D., Aguilar, C. & Schargel, W.E. (2012) Rediscovery of Atractus microrhynchus and reappraisal of the taxonomic status of A. emersoni and A. natans (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Herpetologica, 68, 375–392.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-11-00078.1

    Passos, P., Echevarría, L.Y. & Venegas, P.J. (2013a) Morphological variation of Atractus carrioni (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). South American Journal of Herpetology, 8, 109–120.
    https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-12-00025.1

    Passos, P., Kok, P.J.R., Albuquerque, N.R. & Rivas, G. (2013b) Groundsnakes of the Lost World: a review of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Pantepui region, northern South America. Herpetological Monographs, 27, 52–86.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-12-00001R2.1

    Passos, P., Ramos, L.O., Pinna, P.H. & Prudente, A.L.C. (2013c). Morphological variation and putative phylogenetic affinities of the poorly known snake Atractus caxiuana (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Zootaxa, 3745 (1), 35–48.
    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3745.1.3

    Passos, P., Teixeira-Junior, M., Recoder, R.S., De Sena, M.A., Dal Vechio, F., Pinto, H.B.A., Mendonça, S.H.S.T., Cassimiro, J. & Rodrigues, M.T. (2013d) A new species of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Serra do Cipó, Espinhaço range, Southeastern Brazil, with proposition of a new species group to the genus. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 53, 75–85.
    https://doi.org/10.1590/S0031-10492013000600001

    Passos, P., Martins, A. & Pinto-Coelho, D. (2016a) Population morphological variation and natural history of Atractus potschi (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Northeastern Brazil. South American Journal of Herpetology, 11, 188–211.
    https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-16-00034.1

    Passos, P., Prudente, A.L.C. & Lynch, J.D. (2016b) Redescription of Atractus punctiventris and description of two new Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Brazilian Amazonia. Herpetological Monographs, 30, 1–20.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-14-00009

    Passos, P., Ramos, L.O., Fouquet, A. & Prudente, A.L.C. (2017) Taxonomy, morphology, and distribution of Atractus flammigerus Boie 1827 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Herpetologica, 73 (4), 349–363.
    https://doi.org//10.1655/Herpetologica-D-16-00086

    Paynter, R.A. Jr. (1993) Ornithological Gazetteer of Ecuador. Second Edition. Bird Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 247 pp.
    https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.14626

    Paynter, R.A. Jr. (1997) Ornithological Gazetteer of Colombia. 2nd Edition. Bird Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 537 pp.
    https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.14638

    Paynter, R.A. Jr. & Traylor, M.A. Jr. (1991) Ornithological Gazetteer of Brazil. 2 Vols. Bird Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 788 pp.

    Peracca, M.G. (1897) Intorno ad una piccolo raccolta di rettili di Conocacco (Peru Orientale). Bollettino dei Musei di Zoologia e Anatomia Comparata Della Universita di Torino, 12 (284), 1–7.

    Pesantes, O. (1994) A method for preparing hemipenis of preserved snakes. Journal of Herpetology, 28, 93–95.
    https://doi.org/10.2307/1564686

    Peters, J.A. (1964) Dictionary of Herpetology. Hafner Publishing, New York, 426 pp.

    Price, R.M. (1982) Dorsal snake scale microdermatoglyphics: ecological indicator or taxonomic tool? Journal of Herpetology, 16, 294–306.
    https://doi.org/10.2307/1563721

    Price, R.M. & Kelly, P. (1989) Microdermatoglyphics: basal patterns and transition zones. Journal of Herpetology, 23, 244–261.
    https://doi.org/10.2307/1564446

    Prudente, A.L.C. & Passos, P. (2008) New species of Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes: Dipsadinae) from Guyana Plateau in Northern Brazil. Journal of Herpetology, 42, 723–732.
    https://doi.org/10.1670/07-115R3.1

    Prudente, A.L.C. & Passos, P. (2010) New cryptic species of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Brazilian Amazonia. Copeia, 2010, 397–404.
    https://doi.org/10.1643/CH-08-193

    Prudente, A.L.C. & Santos-Costa, M.C. (2006) A new species of Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes: Colubridae) from eastern Amazonia, Brazil. Zootaxa, 1285, 21–29.

    Sabaj Pérez, M.H. (Ed.) (2016) Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology: An online reference. Version 6.5. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, USA. Available from: http://www.asih.org/resources (accessed 3 November 2016)

    Salazar-Valenzuela D., Torres-Carvajal, O. & Passos, P. (2014) A new species of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Andes of Ecuador. Herpetologica, 70, 350–373.
    https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-13-00045

    Savage, J.M. (1955) Descriptions of new colubrid snakes, genus Atractus, from Ecuador. Proceedings of The Biological Society of Washington, 68, 11–20.

    Savage, J.M. (1960) A revision of the Ecuadorian snakes of the genus Atractus. Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 112, 1–86.

    Schargel, W.E., Lamar, W.W., Passos, P., Valencia, J.H., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. & Campbell, J.A. (2013) A new giant Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Ecuador, with notes on some other large Amazonian congeners. Zootaxa, 3721 (5), 455–474.
    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3721.5.2

    Silva, J.J.H. (2004) Las serpientes del género Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Colubridae, Xenodontinae) en la Amazonia Colombiana. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, 28 (108), 409–446.

    Statisoft INC. (1995) Statistica for Windows Version 5.1. StatSoft Tulsa. [software]

    Stephens, L. & Traylor, M.A. Jr. (1983) Ornithological Gazetteer of Peru. Bird Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 271 pp.

    Stephens, L. & Traylor, M.A. Jr. (1985) Ornithological Gazetteer of the Guianas. Bird Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, 121 pp.

    Uzzell, T. (1973) A revision of lizards of the genus Prionodactylus, with a new genus for P. leucostictus and notes on the genus Euspondylus (Sauria, Teiidae). Postilla, 159, 1–67.
    https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.11535

    Vanegas-Guerrero, J., Matilla-Castaño, J.C. & Passos, P. (2014) Atractus titanicus Passos, Arredondo, Fernandes & Lynch, 2009: filling gaps in its geographical distribution. Check List, 10, 672–673.
    https://doi.org/10.15560/10.3.672

    Wallach, V., Williams, K.L. & Boundy, J. (2014) Snakes of the World: A Catalog of Living and Extinct Species. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1227 pp.
    https://doi.org/10.1201/b16901

    Warrell, D.A., Theakston, R.D.G. & Wüster, W. (2010) Destruction of the collection of reptiles and arthropods at Butantan Institute: a view from the United Kingdom. The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 16, 534–536.
    https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992010000400003

    Wiens, J.J. & Servedio, M.R. (2000) Species delimitation in systematics: inferring diagnostic differences between species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Biological Sciences, 267, 631–636.
    https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2000.1049

    Zaher, H. (1999) Hemipenial morphology of the South American Xenodontine snakes, with a proposal for a monophyletic Xenodontinae and a reappraisal of Colubroid hemipenes. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 240, 1–168.

    Zar J.H. (1999) Biostatistical Analysis. 4th Edition. Prentice Hall Press, New Jersey, 123 pp.