Ahaetulla mycterizans (Linnaeus, 1758)

Figueroa, Alex, Low, Martyn E. Y. & Lim, Kelvin K. P., 2023, Singapore’s herpetofauna: updated and annotated checklist, history, conservation, and distribution, Zootaxa 5287 (1), pp. 1-378 : 134

Ahaetulla mycterizans (Linnaeus, 1758) — Native.

Coluber mycterizans Linnaeus, 1758: 226 . Holotype: NRM 81 , by original designation. Type locality: “[h]abitat in America”, in error.

Big-eye Green Whip Snake

( Figure 16A ; Rifle Range Nature Park)

Singapore records.

Ahaetulla mycterizans —N. Baker, 2005: 5.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2008: 94, 160.—K.K.P. Lim et al., 2008: 161, 264.— Miralles & David, 2010: 455.—T.M. Leong & J.W.M. Gan, 2011: 31 (Central Nature Reserves).—P.K.L. Ng et al., 2011: 273.—N. Baker & K.P. Lim, 2012: 94, 160.—L.K. Wang et al., 2012: 189.—M.F.C. Ng, 2014b: 21 (Venus Drive [ WNP]).—R.C.H. Teo & Thomas, 2019: 147, 160, 180 (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; Dairy Farm Nature Park).— Charlton, 2020: 134–135 (Central Catchment Nature Reserve).— David et al., 2022: 22.

Remarks. Curiously, this common species was only added to Singapore’s herpetofauna in 2005 when Baker (2005) featured a photograph of one from an unknown location, and referred to two specimens collected in 2004: ZRC.2.6112 from NSSF collected on 9 December 2004, and ZRC.2.6116 from BTNR collected on 29 December 2004. Although this can be attributed to A. mycterizans strong similarity to A. prasina , this is unlikely the case since both species have been recognised as distinct species prior to 1827. Based on this, Teo & Thomas (2019) discussed that most of the A. prasina records from Teo & Rajathurai (1997) should be A. mycterizans , as A. mycterizans inhabits forest interiors and A. prasina is more of a forest edge and garden species ( Baker & Lim 2008). Regardless, there are no earlier specimens of A. mycterizans at LKCNHM, but specimen R-58882 at MCZ was collected by Hendrickson at the University of Malaya (now NUS Bukit Timah Campus) on 11 March 1953. Despite how common A. mycterizans is, it has only been reported three times from Singapore ( Baker 2005; Ng 2014b; Teo & Thomas 2019). Additionally, Figueroa et al. (2016) included one sample from HNP collected on 24 October 2012 in their phylogeny.

Occurrence. Restricted to CNR and surrounding Nature Parks. Common.

Singapore conservation status. Vulnerable.

Conservation priority. Moderate.

IUCN conservation status. Least Concern [2012].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve : ZRC.2.6116 (29-Dec-2004) , ZRC.2.6683 (15-Nov-2007) ; Nee Soon Swamp Forest : ZRC.2.6112 (09-Dec-2004) ; Old Upper Thomson Road : ZRC.2.6858 (26-Dec-2009) .

Additional Singapore museum specimens. Singapore (no locality): No specimens.

Singapore localities. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve—Dairy Farm Nature Park—Hindhede Nature Park—Nee Soon Swamp Forest—Old Upper Thomson Road—Rifle Range Nature Park—Windsor Nature Park.

Figures

FIGURE 16. A) Ahaetulla mycterizans, B) Ahaetulla prasina C) Chrysopelea paradisi, D) Chrysopelea pelias, E) Dendrelaphis caudolineatus, F) Dendrelaphis cyanochloris, G) Dendrelaphis formosus, and H) Dendrelaphis haasi. Photographs by: Alex Figueroa [A–B, E, G–H], Kelvin K.P. Lim [C], Joys Tan [D], and Law Ing Sind [F].