Plagiopholis styani

Plagiopholis styani, also known by the common name Chinese mountain snake, is a species of colubrid snake. Its type locality is Kuatun (Guadun in modern spelling: Chinese: 挂墩; pinyin: guàdūn) in Wuyishan, Fujian.[2] It is found in southern and central China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam.[1] It is an uncommon species,[1] and very rare in Taiwan. It is named after Frederick William Styan, a Shanghai-based English tea merchant and ornithologist.[3][4]

Plagiopholis styani

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Plagiopholis
Species:
P. styani
Binomial name
Plagiopholis styani
(Boulenger, 1899)
Synonyms[2]
  • Trirhinopholis styani
    Boulenger, 1899
  • Plagiopholis styani
    — Ding & Zheng, 1974

Description

Plagiopholis styani is a small non-venomous snake, reaching a total length (including tail) of up to 40 cm (16 in). Its upper head, body and tail are red-brown, olive-brown, or green-brown, with flecks of pink or black pigment on each scale, especially for those on the flanks of body. The upper body and tail have a spotted pattern of black or light yellow. There is a dark and thick cross band on nape, reflected in its Chinese name, Fujian neck-blotched snake (Chinese: 福建頸斑蛇).[3]

Habitat and ecology

Plagiopholis styani occurs in areas of montane and bamboo forest, including caves.[1] It is a nocturnal snake that eats mainly earthworms and arthropods. It uses its head to burrow. Females produce clutches of 5–11 eggs in summer.[3]

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References
  1. Vogel G, Guo P, Lau M, Li P (2012). "Plagiopholis styani ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T177442A1486765. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T177442A1486765.en.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Plagiopholis styani at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 10 June 2014.
  3. Breuer, Hans; Murphy, William Christopher (2009–2010). "Plagiopholis styani ". Snakes of Taiwan.
  4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Plagiopholis styani, p. 258).

Further reading
  • Boulenger GA (1899). "On a Collection of Reptiles and Batrachians made by Mr. J. D. La Touche in N.W. Fokien, China". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899: 159-172 + Plates XVI-XIX. (Trirhinopholis styani, new species, pp. 145–165 + Plate XVIII, figures 2, 2a).


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