Leptophis modestus

Leptophis modestus
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Leptophis
Species:	L. modestus
Binomial name
Leptophis modestus (Günther, 1872)
Synonyms
Ahætulla modesta Günther, 1872 Philothamnus modestus — Cope, 1886 Leptophis modestus — Boulenger, 1894[2]

Leptophis modestus, commonly known as the cloud forest parrot snake,[3] is a species of medium-sized slender snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Mesoamerica. There are currently no recognized subspecies.[4]

Geographic range

It can be found in southern Mexico, central Guatemala, northwestern El Salvador and southwestern Honduras.[1]

Description

The type specimen of Leptophis modestus is 130 cm (51 in) in total length, with a tail 54 cm (21 in) long.[2]

Dorsally, it is olive-green. There is a blackish streak behind each eye, and the lips and throat are yellowish. Ventrally, it is pale green.[2]

The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows at midbody, strongly keeled except for the first row (adjacent to the ventrals) and on the tail.[2]

Ventrals 171; anal plate divided; subcaudals 171, divided.[2][5]

Habitat

L. modestus is an inhabitant of the cloud forests of Mesoamerica.

Conservation status

It is currently considered a threatened species. Habitat loss due to deforestation has led to a decrease in population numbers.[1]

References

1. Campbell, J.A.; Muñoz-Alonso, A. (2013). "Leptophis modestus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T63841A3130117. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T63841A3130117.en.
2. Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, Printers.) London. xi + 382 pp. + Plates I.- XX. (Leptophis modestus, pp, 107-108.)
3. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
4. "Leptophis modestus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
5. Günther, 1872., p. 26.

Further reading

• Günther, A. 1872. Seventh Account of new Species of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Fourth Series 9:13-37. (Ahætulla modesta, p. 26 + Plate VI., figure C.)
• Data related to Leptophis modestus at Wikispecies