Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Achalinus formosanus

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Kingdom
  
Suborder
  
Serpentes

Phylum
  
Chordata

Rank
  
Species

Class
  
Reptilia

Family
  
Xenodermatidae

Genus
  
Order
  
Scaled reptiles

Achalinus formosanus wwwsnakesoftaiwancomAchalinus20formosanusAcha

Similar
  
Achalinus, Achalinus niger, Amphiesma sauteri, Achalinus jinggangensis, Rhadinophis frenatus

1 achalinus formosanus formosanus


Achalinus formosanus, common name Formosan odd-scaled snake or Taiwan burrowing snake, is a non-venomous snake in family Xenodermatidae that is found in Taiwan and in the southern Ryukyu Islands (Japan).

Contents

Taxonomy

There are two subspecies:

  • Achalinus formosanus formosanus Boulenger, 1908 — Taiwan
  • Achalinus formosanus chigirai Ota and Toyama, 1989 — Ryukyu Islands
  • Specific name formosanus means "from Formosa", referring to the fact that this species was first described from a specimen from Taiwan. chigirai refers to Yoshinori Chigira, who collected the first specimen of Achalinus formosanus chigirai.

    Achalinus formosanus formosanus is ecologically and morphologically similar to the Taiwan endemic Achalinus niger; the two differ in some scale counts and characteristics. A study using genetic markers found these two taxa to be overlapping, warranting further studies on their taxonomy.

    Distribution

    Achalinus formosanus formosanus is known from central and southern Taiwan at elevations of 1,000–2,000 m (3,300–6,600 ft) asl. Achalinus formosanus chigirai occurs at low altitudes (below 200 m (660 ft)) on the Iriomote-jima and Ishigaki Islands, both belonging to the Yaeyama Group.

    Description

    Achalinus formosanus is a small snake growing to a total length of about 90 cm (35 in). The whole body is iridescent under light. Head is small, oval, and without distinct neck. Body is slender and tail is moderately short. Eyes are small, bead-like; iris is black and indistinct. Upper head, body and tail is uniform olive, grayish tan, or black. Mid-dorsal row of scales on body and tail show a dark longitudinal line. Ventral surface is olive-yellow or dark gray. The young are usually black.

    Behaviour

    It is a nocturnal, terrestrial snake that probably preys on earthworms, slugs, and frogs. It is non-venomous and not aggressive. It is oviparous.

    Habitat and conservation

    Achalinus formosanus formosanus are found in montane humid forests, where they live in dark, wet micro-habitats such as the forest floor, rotten wood, and leaf litter. Achalinus formosanus chigirai have been collected in on a road at night and in a limestone cave in the daytime as well as in low grass along a path in the evening and on forest floor at night.

    No significant threats are known. It is not a protected species in Taiwan, but Achalinus formosanus chigirai is classified as "near threatened" in Japan.

    References

    Achalinus formosanus Wikipedia