Oxybelis inkaterra Jadin, Jowers, Orlofske, Duellman, Blair & Murphy, 2021

Rivas, Luis R., Rey-Ortíz, Gustavo, Eversole, Cord B., Powell, Randy L., Navarro-Cornejo, Gonzalo, Cortez, Edson, Ocampo, Mauricio, Callapa, Gabriel & Muñoz, Arturo, 2024, Vine snakes (Oxybelis) and Sharpnose snakes (Xenoxybelis) (Squamata, Serpentes) from lowlands of Bolivia, with first records of Oxybelis inkaterra for the country, Herpetozoa 37, pp. 201-211 : 201-211

Oxybelis inkaterra Jadin, Jowers, Orlofske, Duellman, Blair & Murphy, 2021

Fig. 2 A – D

First record.

Bolivia.

Specimens examined.

One adult female ( MNKR - 3740) collected on March 2005 from Campamento Guacharos, El Palmar, Parque Nacional Carrasco (PNC). One adult male ( CBF - 4275) collected on 24 June 2015 from Río Sipia, PNyANMI Madidi. One adult ( CBF - 3780) date and location unknown (Table 1 , Fig. 3 ).

Morphometric and meristic characters.

Snout-vent length 580–810 mm (adults, n = 3). Tail length 385–544 mm (n = 3). Smooth dorsal scales 17-17 - 13 rows (100 %), without apical pits. Ventral scales 181–200 (x ̅ = 193). Subcaudal scales 160–170 (x ̅ = 164). Divided cloacal plate (100 %). Loreal absent (100 %). Preocular 1 (100 %). Postoculars 2 (100 %). Temporals 1 + 2 (100 %). Supralabials 8–9 (8 / 8 in 67 % of specimens and 9 / 9 in 33 %); fourth and fifth contact the orbit (33 %) and fourth, fifth and sixth contact the orbit (67 %). Infralabials 9–10; generally the first four contacting the first pair of chin shields (Table 2 ) and fourth, fifth and sixth contact the second pair chin shields. Supraocular and prefrontal of similar length; posterior border of internasals extends beyond posterior edge of first supralabial; and presence of small scales between the second pair of chin shields (Fig. 2 C ).

Coloration pattern.

Upper region of head is brown with dark brown to black mottling, black spots on posterior edge of nasal, and on preocular; black mottling on temporals forming an irregular postocular stripe that extends to second or third ventral; supralabials with mottling on borders, infralabials heavily mottled; mental, first pair of infralabials, and chin shields black with white spots (more intense in specimens CBF - 3780 and MNKR - 3740). Dorsal scales mottled with black and brown pigment in all rows; on anterior third of the body, some scales have heavy black pigment on their borders and irregular transverse bands; anterior ventrals heavily mottled becoming fine stippling posteriorly; some ventrals mottled with scattered black spots anteriorly; posteriorly, these spots encircled with white pigment to form eyespot markings; some of these markings also occur on the ventral and lateral portions of the tail (Fig. 2 A – D ).

Ecological notes.

Specimen CBF - 4275 was accidentally severed into two pieces by local guides while they were clearing work trails near the camp. The area has xeric and thorny vegetation, with representatives from the Bromeliaceae , Cactaceae , and Araceae families. This particular individual, feeling threatened, remained motionless, mimicking one of the branches of the shrub it was on. Unfortunately, this behavior caused it to go unnoticed by the guide, resulting in the unfortunate accident.

Figures

Figure 2. First record of Oxybelis inkaterra (CBF - 4275), Río Sipia, Franz Tamayo, La Paz, Bolivia. A, B. Dorsal and ventral view (surface mottled with dense black spots); C. Bottom of the head black spots; D. Eyespot on ventrals scales. Photos by Mauricio Ocampo (A) and Gustavo Rey (B – D).

Figure 3. Distribution of the vine snakes in Bolivia. Oxybelis aeneus (points), Oxybelis fulgidus (triangles), and Oxybelis inkaterra (blue stars, first records). Red symbols correspond to additional records.