More than meets no eyes: Taxonomic status of a Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) blindsnake from the Atlantic Rainforest

Author(s)

Entiauspe-Neto, Omar M. ; Franco, Francisco L. ; Koch, Claudia ; Tiutenko, Arthur ; Wingert, Juliana M. ; Borges-Martins, Marcio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER; v. 303, p. 16-pg., 2023-01-24.

Abstract

Liotyphlops Peters, 1881 is an anomalepidid blindsnake genus that encompasses 12 species, widely distributed in Central and South America. In this study, we evaluate the taxonomic status of Liotyphlops sousai Santos & Reis, 2018, a species described based on a single specimen from the Atlantic Rainforest of southern Brazil, and after analyzing evidences based upon molecular systematics, external morphology and osteology, we propose its synonymy with Liotyphlops beui (Amaral, 1924), a common and widely distributed Anomalepidid species. We also provide comments and recommendations on the taxonomy of Liotyphlops, assessing the risks associated with describing a new species based on small type series. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/13671-7 - Fieldwork assistance for specimen collection, venom and glands - focused in extreme southern Brazil
• Grantee: Omar Machado Entiauspe Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training