Range extension and natural history observations of a rare Panamanian snake, Geophis bellus Myers, 2003 (Colubridae: Dipsadinae)

The fossorial snake Geophis bellus is a small Panamanian endemic previously known only from the holotype. Here we report additional specimens, which greatly expand the known range of the species ca. 200 km from the type locality into western Panama. Furthermore, we provide information on sexual dimo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Luis Elizondo Lara, Angel Sosa-Bartuano, Patty Ruback, Julie Ray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2015-06-01
Series:Check List
Online Access:https://checklist.pensoft.net/article/19274/download/pdf/
Description
Summary:The fossorial snake Geophis bellus is a small Panamanian endemic previously known only from the holotype. Here we report additional specimens, which greatly expand the known range of the species ca. 200 km from the type locality into western Panama. Furthermore, we provide information on sexual dimorphism in some scalation counts and in body and tail size. Finally, we provide information on natural history, including activity period, habitat usage, and reproductive cycle. Such discoveries are important for the development of conservation plans for this species in Panamá.
ISSN:1809-127X