Myron karnsi, Murphy, 2011

Murphy, John C., 2011, The Nomenclature And Systematics Of Some Australasian Homalopsid Snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae), Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 59 (2), pp. 229-236 : 231-232

Myron karnsi , new species

Fig. 2

Holotype: SMF 19569. Type Locality: Indonesia Aru , Kobroor, Selrutti (about 5º46'S and 134º31'E).

1917 Myron richardsoni — Rooij, 2:192.

Diagnosis. – A melanistic species with 21 scale rows at mid body; a semi-divided nasal scale; the third pair of chin shields are as wide as they are long; all of which will distinguish it from the other new species described here. The black coloration, narrow yellow cross bands, enlarged occipital scales posterior and lateral to the parietals, and keeled scales starting on row 3 (as opposed to row 5 or 6) will separate it from M. richardsonii .

Holotype: Female (SMF 19569), SVL 333 mm, tail 64 mm; dorsal scale rows 22–21–17; ventrals 139; subcaudal scales 37. On the head: rostral broader than tall; nasal scales larger than eye diameter, nasal semi-divided; internasal small and partially divided; frontal about two-thirds the length of parietals; the posterior parietal edge contacts two plate-like occipital scales which do not extend along the lateral edge of the parietal scales; preoculars 2/2; postoculars 2/2; upper labials 8/8, number 6 is fragmented on the right side; labials at loreal 2–4/2–4; tallest upper labial 6/6; lower labials 11/10; labials at first chin shield 3/3; largest lower labial 6/6; three pair of chin shields, the second pair is the longest, the third pair is as broad as long. On the body: dorsal scale rows smooth anteriorly, but posteriorly weakly keeled scales start on row 3. The tail is slightly laterally compressed in cross section. Colour in alcohol: the crown, sides of face, upper and lower labials are black; the dorsum is mostly black with cream colored mottling on dorsal rows 1–2; yellow transverse bands are less than one scale row wide and start on dorsal row 4; each ventral scale is black with a narrow light yellow posterior edge, this coloration continues onto the subcaudals. Overall, this snake is black with narrow yellow cross bands.

Etymology. – This species is named in honour of Daryl R. Karns, Hanover College and the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History for his contributions to herpetological research and work with homalopsid snakes.

Distribution. – Known only from the type locality.

Figures

Fig. 2. The holotype of Myron karnsi, SMF 19569. A and B: show the overall of head plates. C: illustrates the enlarged occipital scales (O) and their relationship to the temporal (T). D: has the three pair of chin shields numbered and the 3rd pair is as wide as long.