Indotyphlops porrectus (Stoliczka, 1871)

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 : 241-242

Indotyphlops porrectus (Stoliczka, 1871) — Uncertain.

Slender Worm Snake

( Figure 27B )

Singapore records.

Typhlops porrectus —Wallach, 1999: 185, 191.—Wallach et al., 2014: 769.

Remarks. A specimen of I. porrectus (FMNH 217449) (Wallach 1999), was collected at the National University Singapore Bukit Timah Campus in 1983 by Voris. This specimen extended the range of I. porrectus to Singapore, which was formerly only known from Pakistan east to Myanmar, until a specimen was collected in Chiang Mai, Thailand ( Cox & Nabhitabhata 1997). A specimen collected in Penang, Malaysia (Pagden 1970) was dismissed as an introduction and not included as part of the native range of I. porrectus ( Manthey & Grossmann 1997) . V. Wallach (pers. comm.) stated that the specimen is problematic, being small in size, and may even represent a new species; however, all characters resemble I. porrectus . Still, given the specimen’s proximity to SBG, the possibility exists that the individual arrived in Singapore as a stowaway with imported plants. For now, we regard I. porrectus as uncertain in Singapore.

Occurrence: No credible records.

Singapore conservation status. Not Evaluated.

Conservation priority. Immediate priority, if discovered.

IUCN conservation status. Least Concern [2021].

LKCNHM & NHMUK Museum specimens. No specimens.

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

Singapore localities. National University Singapore Bukit Timah Campus.

2) Non-established Introduced species (40 species)

This section consists of species that have been introduced predominately through human means. Given Singapore’s long history as a major port and trade hub for assorted goods, exotic wildlife was already being commercially traded prior to 1822 and continues to be trafficked through Singapore today (Raffles 1822; Barnard 2019). The intentional release of non-native turtles into Singapore is somewhat of an epidemic and is linked to two major causes: 1) release of unwanted pets, and; 2) release of animals into the wild for gaining spiritual merit (fang sheng), specifically on the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day (Ng & Lim 2010). See Table 1 in Goh & O’Riordan (2007) for a list of turtle species that were being sold in pet shops across Singapore as not all have been recorded in the wild. The practice of releasing exotic animals began early on in history as revealed by early introductions such as Platysternon megacephalum being found in Bukit Timah ( Boulenger 1912). The 40 non-established, introduced species comprises six frogs and 34 reptiles (one crocodilian, 19 turtles, 11 lizards, and three snakes) ( Table 2 ). In addition, there are museum specimens of Alligator missisippiensis ( NHMUK 1987.2085), Caiman crocodilus ( NHMUK 1987.2806 & 1987.2807), Ambystoma tigrinum ( MVZ:Hild:1462), and an unidentified bufonid ( ROM 13177). The two crocodilians originated from the Singapore Crocodilarium so they were obviously being kept there for exhibition, and the A. tigrinum is from the Milton Hildebrand collection and was donated by Hendrickson in 1953 from SBG. Being a species from USA, the A. tigrinum was likely being kept by someone at SBG.

Class Amphibia Gray, 1825 (6 species)

Order Anura Fitzinger, 1843 (6 species)

Family Pelodryadidae Günther, 1858a (1 species)

Genus Ranoidea Tschudi, 1838 (1 species)

Figures

FIGURE 27. A) Indotyphlops albiceps, B) Indotyphlops porrectus, and C–D) Coelognathus cf. subradiatus. Photographs by: Evan S.H. Quah [A], Dan Rosenberg [B], and Kelvin K.P. Lim [C–D].