A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis

(Family Colubridae, from Middle America)

BY

JOHN WELLMAN

CONTENTS

PAGE
[Introduction]253
[Acknowledgments]254
[Materials and Methods]254
[Genus Conophis Peters]255
[Key to the Species and Subspecies]257
[Analysis of Characters]257
[Scutellation]258
[Size and Proportions]258
[Color Pattern]260
[Sexual Dimorphism]260
[C. lineatus]262
[C. lineatus dunni]262
[C. lineatus lineatus]267
[C. lineatus concolor]270
[C. nevermanni]272
[C. pulcher]274
[C. vittatus]277
[Skull]282
[Dentition]288
[Vertebrae]288
[Hemipenes]289
[Food and Feeding]289
[Effect of Poison]290

[Taxonomic Relationships and Evolution]

29

[Summary]

292

[Literature Cited]

293

INTRODUCTION

Need for a comprehensive systematic review of the snakes of the genus Conophis was pointed out by Stuart (1954a, b). Since these snakes appeared to be of zoogeographic importance in the Central American region, I undertook the review as set forth on the following pages.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS