Alsophis

Alsophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Alsophis are among those snakes commonly called "racers". Alsophis species occur throughout the Caribbean. One species in the genus Alsophis, A. antiguae, is one of the world's rarest known snakes. Snakes of the genus Alsophis are small and rear-fanged, and they are considered harmless to humans. This genus contains nine described species which are recognized as being valid.[1] Several species once included in this genus have been placed in the genera Borikenophis and Pseudalsophis.

Alsophis
Alsophis antillensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Alsophis
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

9, see text

Synonyms

Dromicus

Rarest species

Alsophis antiguae is probably the rarest snake in the genus Alsophis. This snake once occurred on Antigua and Barbuda, but by 1995, only 50 individuals remained on Great Bird Island, off the coast of Antigua.[2] Following the removal of invasive alien predators and successful reintroductions to a further three islands (Rabbit in 1999, Green Island in 2001, and York Island in 2008), the total population has increased to more than 1,000 individuals.[3]

Description

Snakes of the genus Alsophis are all relatively small, usually less than about 1 m (39⅜ in) in body length. Females tend to be larger than males. these racers are rear-fanged, with enlarged teeth at the rear of their upper jaws.

Behavior

Alsophis species are harmless to humans and most have a gentle temperament. They are diurnal, usually active from dawn to dusk.

Species

Listed alphabetically by specific name.[4]

  • Alsophis antiguae Parker, 1933 – Antiguan racer
  • Alsophis antillensis (Schlegel, 1837) – Antilles racer, Guadeloupe racer, Leeward racer
  • Alsophis danforthi Cochran, 1938
  • Alsophis manselli Parker, 1933 – Montserrat racer
  • Alsophis rijgersmaei Cope, 1869 – Anguilla racer, Anguilla Bank racer, Leeward Islands racer
  • Alsophis rufiventris (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1876) – orange-bellied racer, red-bellied racer, Saba racer
  • Alsophis sajdaki Henderson, 1990
  • Alsophis sanctonum Barbour, 1915
  • Alsophis sibonius Cope, 1879 – Antilles racer, Dominica racer, Dominican racer, Leeward racer

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

References
  1. EOL.org
  2. Daltry, Jenny C.; Bloxam, Quentin; Cooper, Gillian; Day, Mark L.; Hartley, John; Henry, McRonnie; Lindsay, Kevel; Smith, Brian E. (2001). "Five years of conserving the 'world's rarest snake', the Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae". Oryx. 35 (2): 119–127. doi:10.1017/s0030605300031677.
  3. Fauna & Flora International. "Antiguan racer". Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  4. Genus Alsophis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.



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