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Morphological Variation in Geophis nephodrymus (Squamata: Colubridae), with Comments on Conservation of Geophis in Eastern Nuclear Central America

2009; Herpetologists' League; Volume: 65; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1655/07-039r2.1

1938-5099

Josiah H. Townsend,

Species Distribution and Climate Change

Six species of Geophis occur in eastern Nuclear Central America: G. damiani, G. dunni, G. fulvoguttatus, G. hoffmanni, G. nephodrymus, and G. rhodogaster. These species are assigned to two species groups: the dubius group and the sieboldi group. Geophis nephodrymus is a species endemic to an isolated cloud forest locality in northwestern Honduras and was recently described based on a single specimen. Subsequently, an additional 16 specimens of G. nephodrymus were collected, demonstrating considerable morphological variation. This variation is characterized using features of morphology and color pattern. A key to the species of Geophis from eastern Nuclear Central America is provided. Of these six species, two meet the IUCN criteria for designation as Critically Endangered and two more as Endangered.