Uropeltis rubrolineata

Uropeltis rubrolineata is a nonvenomous shield tail snake species endemic to southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

Uropeltis rubrolineata

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Uropeltidae
Genus: Uropeltis
Species:
U. rubrolineata
Binomial name
Uropeltis rubrolineata
(Günther, 1875)
Synonyms
  • S[ilybura]. rubrolineata Günther, 1875
  • Silybura rubrolineata
    - Boulenger, 1893
  • Uropeltis rubrolineatus
    - M.A. Smith, 1943
  • Uropeltis (Siluboura) rubrolineatus - Mahendra, 1984
  • Uropeltis rubrolineata - Das, 1996[2]
Common names: red-lined earth snake, red-lined shieldtail, Travancore uropeltis.

Geographic range

It is found in southern India in the Western Ghats: south of the Palghat to Bhimshankar and in the Anaimalai and Travancore Hills.

The original type locality given is "Anamallays, Tinnevellys." Changed to "Tinnevellys, Travancore Hills" by lectotype designation.[2]

Description

Blackish brown, both dorsally and ventrally. A bright red stripe along each side, usually about 2½ scales rows wide, beginning on the labials (both upper and lower).

Adults may attain a total length of 40 cm (15 3⁄4 in).

Dorsal scales smooth, arranged in 17 rows at midbody, in 19 rows behind the head. Ventrals 165-172; subcaudals 6-8.

Snout obtusely pointed. Rostral about ¼ the length of the shielded part of the head. Portion of the rostral visible from above as long as its distance from the frontal. Nasals broadly in contact with each other behind the rostral. Frontal as long as broad or slightly longer than broad. Eye small, its diameter slightly less than the length of the ocular shield. Diameter of body 30 to 33 times in the total length. Ventrals twice as broad as the contiguous scales. End of tail flat dorsally, obliquely truncate, with strongly bicarinate or tricarinate dorsal scales. Terminal scute with a transverse ridge, but no points.[4]

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References
  1. Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B.; Ganesan, S.R. & Vijayakumar, S.P. (2013). "Uropeltis rubrolineatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T172670A1363792. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T172670A1363792.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. "Uropeltis rubrolineata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 September 2007.
  4. Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. pp. 155-156, Plate VIII, figures 2, 2a, 2b.

Further reading
  • Ali, S. 1949. Extension of range of the earth snake Uropeltis rubrolineatus (Günther). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 482: 376.
  • Beddome, R.H. 1886. An Account of the Earth-Snakes of the Peninsula of India and Ceylon. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5) 17: 3-33.
  • Günther, A. 1875. Second Report on Collections of Indian Reptiles obtained by the British Museum. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1875: 224-234.
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