Burrowing Snake

Phalotris tricolor form “punctatus” (Lema, 1979)

Phalotris punctatus (Lema 1979) was described based on specimens from northwestern Argentina, and distinguished from P. tricolor mainly by the spotted dorsal pattern on an ochre background (versus unspotted on a red background in P. tricolor). The two were later synonymized by Lema, D’Agostini, Cappellari (2005), before being revalidated again in a confused publication by Martins and Lema (2017). The latter publication is unclear on whether “ P. punctatus ” is being reported from Paraguay, with the Paraguayan data presented in the map, texts and species examined sections contradicting each other, and the sole Paraguayan specimen of “ P. punctatus ” examined also listed in duplicate with the same data under P. tricolor . Whilst we prefer to wait for additional data before recognizing “ P. punctatus ” as a distinct species, we attempt to clarify some confusion by confirming the presence of a specimen corresponding phenotypically with “ P. punctatus ” from the Paraguayan Chaco, noting that it was collected in an area from which P. tricolor is well-documented. The roadkill individual was photographed (Fig. 28) and collected (CZPLT-H 2475) on the road between Loma Plata and Filadelfia close to the Comunidad Indigena Pesempo ᾽o (22°21’12.7”S 59°52’20.1”W), Boquerón department on 3 March 2024. Phalotris tricolor is considered to be “Endangered” in Paraguay (Martínez et al., 2020c).