Opisthotropis latouchii

Opisthotropis latouchii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Opisthotropis
Species:
O. latouchii
Binomial name
Opisthotropis latouchii
(Boulenger, 1899)
Synonyms[2]
  • Tapinophis latouchii
    Boulenger, 1899
  • Cantonophis praefrontalis
    F. Werner, 1909

Opisthotropis latouchii, also known commonly as the Sichuan mountain keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to China.[2]

Etymology

O. latouchii is named after French-born Irish naturalist John David Digues La Touche, who worked in China as a customs inspector for many years.[3]

Geographic range

O. latouchii is found in southeastern China.[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of O. latouchii is freshwater streams, but it is also found in rice paddies and irrigation ditches.[1]

Behavior

O. latouchii is nocturnal.[2]

Diet

O. latouchii preys upon aquatic worms,[1] earthworms, freshwater shrimp, fishes, tadpoles, and frogs.[2]

Reproduction

O. latouchii is oviparous.[1][2] In Fujian adult females lay eggs in August.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wang, Y.; Jiang, J.; Li, P.; Lau, M. (2012). "Opisthotropis latouchii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T192205A2055421. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Species Opisthotropis latouchii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Opisthotropis latouchii, p. 151).

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1899). "On a Collection of Reptiles and Batrachians made by Mr. J. D. Latouche in N.W. Fokien, China". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1899: 159–172 + Plates XVI–XIX. (Tapinophis latouchii, new species, p. 164 + Plate XVIII, figures 1, 1a–1c).
  • Pope CH (1935). The Reptiles of China: Turtles, Crocodilians, Snakes, Lizards. (Volume X of the Natural History of Central Asia series, edited by Chester A. Reeds). New York: American Museum of Natural History. lii + 604 pp. + Plates I–XXVII. (Opisthotropis latouchii, new combination, pp. 173–176 + Plate VIII, figures B–F).
  • Stejneger L (1926). "Chinese Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States National Museum". Proceedings of the United States National Museum 66 (2562): 1–115. (Tapinophis latouchii, p. 77).
  • Werner F (1909). "Beschreibung neuer Reptilien aus dem Kgl. [=Königlichen] Naturalienkabinett in Stuttgart ". Jahreshefte des Vereins für vaterländische Naturkunde in Württemberg 65: 55–63. (Cantonophis praefrontalis, new species, pp. 57–58). (in German).


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