Alsophis antillensis
| Alsophis antillensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Alsophis |
| Species: | A. antillensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Alsophis antillensis Schlegel, 1837
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Psammophis antillensis | |
Alsophis antillensis, also known as the Guadeloupe racer, Antilles racer, or Leeward racer, is a species of snake endemic to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. This species was placed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2015 and is labeled as Critically Endangered.[2]
Description
The Alsophis antillensis can reach nearly a meter in length. These racers are non-venomous and known for their agility and speed. These snakes are excellent hunters due to their speed and elusive prey. These snakes also appear in varying colors and patterns including browns, grays, and reds to allow them to blend into their natural habitats.[3]
Diet
This snake feeds on lizards, frogs, birds, and small mammals. It rarely bites humans, but may release a foul-smelling, though harmless, cloacal secretion when disturbed.[4][5]
Predation
These snakes are primarily diurnal. Even though they are non-venomous, their constricting abilities allow them to be an effective predator. When threatened, these snakes displaying loud hissing and striking to ward off potential threats. Due to their fast nature, these snakes are can flee quickly, allowing them to avoid predators and their agile nature allows them to be excellent hunters.[6]
Distribution
The genus Alsophis is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. Alsophis antillensis is a terrestrial snake endemic to the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe (Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre) and Marie-Galante.[6]
Taxonomy
Alsophis antillensis is a species in the genus Alsophis or Caribbean Racers.[7][8] This group of snakes has a somewhat complicated taxonomic history. Other species that were previously considered synonyms or subspecies of A. antillensis but are now considered separate species include:
- Alsophis sibonius from Dominica[9]
- Alsophis manselli from Montserrat[10]
- Alsophis antiguae from Antigua (extinct except for a population on Great Bird Island and reintroductions on Rabbit, Green and York Islands)[11][12]
- Alsophis danforthi from Terre-de-Bas (sometimes considered synonymous with A. sanctonum, which is found on Terre-de-Haut)[13]
- Borikenophis portoricensis from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands[6][14][15]
References
- ^ Gomès, R., Dewynter, M., Henderson, R.W. & Powell, R. 2016. Alsophis antillensis (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T190566A115325668. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190566A71748196.en. Downloaded on 01 May 2021.
- ^ IUCN (2015-07-22). Alsophis antillensis: Gomès, R., Dewynter, M., Henderson, R.W. & Powell, R.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T190566A115325668 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t190566a71748196.en.
- ^ Lynn, W. Gardner (1957). "Notes on a Collection of Reptiles and Amphibians from Antigua, B.W.I." Herpetologica. 13 (1): 53–56. ISSN 0018-0831.
- ^ Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1999), Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean, Macmillan Education Ltd., pp. 27, 38–39, 75, 84, 87, 88, 122, ISBN 0-333-69141-5
- ^ Powell, Robert; Henderson, Robert W. (2005), "Conservation Status of Lesser Antillean Reptiles", Iguana, 12 (2): 63–77
- ^ a b c Barbour, T. (1917). "Notes on the herpetology of The Virgin Islands". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 30: 97–103 – via Bioidiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Barbour, T. (1914). "A contribution to the zoögeography of the West Indies: with especial reference to amphibians and reptiles". Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 44: 205–346 – via Google Books.
- ^ Barbour, T. (1935). "A second list of Antillean reptiles and amphibians". Zoologica. 19 (3): 77–141 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Daltry, J.C.; Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Alsophis manselli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T190567A115325863. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190567A71748201.en. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2019). "Alsophis sibonius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T190569A71748211. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T190569A71748211.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Henderson, R.W. (1989). "A new subspecies of Alsophis antiguae (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Great Bird Island (Antigua), Lesser Antilles" (PDF). Caribbean Journal of Science. 25: 119–122.
- ^ Daltry, J. C.; Lindsay, K.; Lawrence, S. N.; Morton, M. N.; Otto, A.; Thibou, A. (2017). "Successful reintroduction of the Critically Endangered Antiguan racer Alsophis antiguae to offshore islands in Antigua, West Indies". International Zoo Yearbook. 51 (1): 97–106. doi:10.1111/izy.12153. ISSN 0074-9664.
- ^ Hedges, S. Blair; Couloux, Arnaud; Vidal, Nicolas (2009-04-08). "Molecular phylogeny, classification, and biogeography of West Indian racer snakes of the Tribe Alsophiini (Squamata, Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae)". Zootaxa. 2067 (1). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2067.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ Brongersma, L.D. (1937). "The types of Psammophis antillensis Schlegel" (PDF). Zoologische Mededelingen Leiden. 20: 1–5.
- ^ Grant, C. (1946). "A new name for Alsophis antillensis". Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico. 30: 118–125.
External links
- Media related to Alsophis antillensis at Wikimedia Commons
- "Alsophis antillensis". The Reptile Database. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.