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

Zootaxa
By: , and 

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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.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The unexpected discovery of blind snakes (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) in Micronesia: Two new species of Ramphotyphlops from the Caroline Islands
Series title Zootaxa
DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.3172.1.3
Volume 3172
Issue 1
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher Magnolia Press
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 16 p.
First page 39
Last page 54
Country Micronesia
Other Geospatial Caroline Islands
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