Conception Bank silver boa

The Conception Bank silver boa, Conception Bank boa, or silver boa (Chilabothrus argentum) is a species of boa[1][3] described in May 2016 by a team of researchers from Harvard University.[2] It is only known from the Conception Island Bank in the Bahamas.[1] It is the first known discovery of a West Indian boa species in 73 years.[4] It is named for its unique silver color and the fact that the first specimen was found in a silver palm.[2]

Conception Bank silver boa

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Genus: Chilabothrus
Species:
C. argentum
Binomial name
Chilabothrus argentum
Reynolds et al., 2016[2]

Description

Conception Bank silver boa has silver to tan dorsal background coloration, with or without scattered dark brown scales. Ventral scales are pure cream-white. They measure 88–103 cm (35–41 in) in snout–vent length and weigh 182–258 g (6.4–9.1 oz). Tail length varies between 18 and 21 cm (7.1 and 8.3 in).[2]

Habitat and conservation

The Conception Bank silver boa is largely arboreal and has been found in silver palm Coccothrinax argentata and gumbo-limbo Bursera simaruba. The species is known from six individuals encountered in July 2015 by a research team from Harvard University, and from the type series of two individuals collected in October 2015. It has been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is considered "Critically Endangered" [1] in view of its small area of occurrence as well as potential threats posed by introduced species, habitat loss, and (illegal) pet trade. Some level of protection is offered by the Conception Island Bank being designated as a national park, and by the relative remoteness of the islands.[2]

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References
  1. Reynolds, R. Graham (2017). "Chilabothrus argentum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T118470875A118470877. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  2. Reynolds, R. Graham; Puente-Rolón, Alberto R.; Geneva, Anthony J.; Aviles-Rodriguez, Kevin J. & Herrmann, Nicholas C. (2016). "Discovery of a remarkable new boa from the Conception Island Bank, Bahamas". Breviora. 549 (1): 1–19. doi:10.3099/brvo-549-00-1-19.1.
  3. Chilabothrus argentum at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 March 2020.
  4. "Silver Boa: Scientists Discover New Snake Species in Bahamas". Breaking Science News | Sci-News.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
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