USGS Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70009621

The unexpected discovery of blind snakes (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) in Micronesia: Two new species of Ramphotyphlops from the Caroline Islands

Addison H. Wynn·Robert P. Reynolds·Donald W. Buden·Marjorie Falanruw·Brian Lynch
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Two new blind snakes in the genus Ramphotyphlops are described from Ulithi ( R. hatmaliyeb sp. nov. ) and Ant Atoll ( R. adocetus sp. nov. ) in the Caroline Islands, the first blind snake species known from Micronesia east of Palau (excluding Ramphotyphlops braminus ). Both species are unusual in being known only from small, low-lying atolls. They can be distinguished from other Ramphotyphlops by the combination of 22 scale rows over the length of the body; a wedge-shaped snout, without a keratinized keel; and a broad, pyriform ( R. adocetus ) or ovate ( R. hatmaliyeb ) rostral scale.

Explore related subjects

ZootaxaArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 0.615222552406841° to 18.22935133838668° latitude; 124.892578125° to 172.001953125° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Addison H. Wynn, Robert P. Reynolds, Donald W. Buden, Marjorie Falanruw, Brian Lynch. 2012-01-25. The unexpected discovery of blind snakes (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) in Micronesia: Two new species of Ramphotyphlops from the Caroline Islands. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3172.1.3

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2025

Systematics of three Amazonian antwren groups (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae: Myrmotherula and Isleria)

Working within the framework of a companion phylogenetic analysis, we reexamined species limits within three lineages of antwrens (two species and one species complex) widely distributed across the Amazon Basin. Diagnostic differences in vocal and plumage characters provided the basis for the following taxonomic revisions. Myrmotherula longipennis is found to comprise three species: (1) M. longipennis ( sensu stricto ), which is confined to the region north of the Amazon; (2) M. garbei , which is elevated from subspecies status and includes the subspecies zimmeri ; and (3) M. paraensis , which is also elevated from subspecies status and includes subspecies transitiva and ochrogyna . Myrmotherula menetriesii also comprises three species: (1) M. menetriesii ( sensu stricto ), which occurs in the southwest quadrant of Amazonia and includes the subspecies berlepschi ; (2) M. cinereiventris , which is elevated from subspecies status and includes the subspecies pallida ; and (3) M. omissa , which is monotypic and is also elevated from subspecies status. We maintain two species in the Isleria complex, I. guttata and I. hauxwelli . Isleria guttata remains monotypic, but the subspecies of I. hauxwelli are revised. Isleria h. hellmayri is preserved as currently defined, but I. h. suffusa is synonymized with the nominate form, the geographic range of which is restricted to western Amazonia. A fourth subspecies, I. h. clarior , is resurrected; this subspecies occupies the major part of the range previously assigned to I. h. hauxwelli .

Zootaxa↗
USGS2024

Phylogenomics, male internal genitalia, a new species, and other notes on New World Stenopelmatus Jerusalem crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea: Stenopelmatini)

Based on past and expanded DNA sampling, the orthopteran families Stenopelmatidae and Anostostomatidae, as currently structured, are shown to be non-monophyletic. The splay-footed cricket genus Comicus is confirmed to be genetically distinct from all Stenopelmatidae. We add two specimens to our previously published phylogenetic tree for New World Stenopelmatus Jerusalem cricket species and report the first multilocus DNA recovery for S. ater from Costa Rica. Male internal genitalia may be of systematic value in Jerusalem crickets, but we believe they should be analyzed when in their unfolded, “physiologically functional” configuration, where morphological characters can be seen in more detail when compared to their preserved, folded state. We describe Stenopelmatus nuevoguatemalae n. sp. from Guatemala.

Zootaxa↗