Aspidura deraniyagalae

Aspidura deraniyagalae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Aspidura
Species:
A. deraniyagalae
Binomial name
Aspidura deraniyagalae
Gans & Fetcho, 1982

Aspidura deraniyagalae, commonly known as Deraniyagala's rough-sided snake, the Sri Lanka rough-sided snake, and කදු මැඩිල්ලා (kandu medilla) in Sinhala, is a colubrid species endemic to Sri Lanka.

Etymology

The specific name, deraniyagalae, is in honor of Sri Lankan zoologist Paulus Edward Pieris Deraniyagala.[2]

Geographic range

A. deraniyagalae is known from the eastern slopes of the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Localities recorded are Namunukula, Kanawarella, Spring Valley, and Pindarawatta.[citation needed]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of A. deraniyagalae is forest, at elevations of around 1,520 m (4,990 ft).[1]

Description

A. deraniyagalae is a small snake. The head is indistinct from the neck, and the body is cylindrical in cross section. The dorsum is light beige to dark brown. The head is dark-pigmented. The venter is blackish-brown, with lighter mottling.[citation needed]

Scalation

A. deraniyagalae has the following scalation. The dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. Preoculars are present, forming a part of the anterior border of the orbit of the eye. The 2 postoculars are in contact with the parietal. Ventrals 117–122. Subcaudals 13–26.[citation needed]

Reproduction

A. deraniyagalae is oviparous.[3] Sexually mature females produce about two to four eggs at a time.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b Wickramasinghe, L.J.M. (2021). "Aspidura deraniyagalae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T197195A123311992. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T197195A123311992.en.
  2. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Aspidura deraniyagalae, p. 70).
  3. ^ Species Aspidura deraniyagalae at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

  • Gans C, Fetcho JR (1982). "The Sri Lankan genus Aspidura (Serpentes, Reptilia, Colubridae)". Annals of Carnegie Museum 51 (14): 271–316. (Aspidura deraniyagalae, new species).