Xenopholis

Xenopholis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Xenopholis
W. Peters, 1869

Xenopholis is a genus of rear-fanged snakes of the family Colubridae.

Geographic range

The genus Xenopholis is endemic to South America.

Description

The genus Xenopholis is characterized by distinctive vertebrae. The spinous processes are expanded dorsally, forming shields which are rugose and divided by a median groove.

Species

Three species are recognized as being valid.

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Xenopholis.

References

  1. ↑ Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Genus Xenopholis, p. 113).
  2. ↑ Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Genus Xenopholis, p. 231, Figure 16, three views of vertebrae).
  3. ↑ Genus Xenopholis at The Reptile Database

Further reading