Psammophis sibilans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Trape, Jean-François, Abstract. - We, Youssouph Mané, Africa, West & Known, Niger., 2015, The snakes of Niger, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 110) 9 (2), pp. 39-55 : 45

Psammophis sibilans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Material: 622 specimens.

Localities: Aholé (52), Baboul (22), Chetimari (42), Cissia (50), Goudoumaria (3), Karosofoua (64), Kéllé (1), Kusa (6), Malbaza (30), Piliki (28), Saboulayi (30), Saouna (1), Tarka Dakouara (100), Tékhé (80), Téla (20), Toundi Farkia (4), Tounga Yacouba (89).

Literature records: Azzel ( Villiers 1950 a, 1950b, Papenfuss 1969); SW Niger ( Roman 1974: 101 specimens); Alambaré, Dagaraga, Gaya, Gourgou, Kouré, La Tapoa, Moli Haoussa, campement Nigercar ( Chirio 2009).

Remarks: We attribute these specimens to P. sibilans (type locality: Egypt) pending a comprehensive molecular study that incorporates specimens from the full range of the P. sibilans complex. Such specimens are characterized by five infralabials in contact with the first pair of mentals, a divided anal, and a more-or-less striped dorsal pattern, with at least a black and white chain on the scales of the vertebral line (this chain is occasionally absent in the Sahel, but always present in Sudan and Guinea savanna areas).