Snake fauna of the Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal-A review of species richness taxonomy, distribution, natural history and conservation status
Author
Chandramouli, S. R.
text
Zootaxa
2022
2022-11-17
5209
3
301
331
journal article
276832
10.11646/zootaxa.5209.3.1
f3927e32-6a21-4acd-9af2-dc4610ecf875
1175-5326
7329609
BAB92ED9-AB04-49FE-9453-882CAB65D177
Chrysopelea paradisi
Boie, 1827
(
Fig. 7C
,
11D
)
Material studied: Two adults, BNHS 2865, BNHS 2875 (
Fig. 3H
), from Narcondam Island.
Morphology: Dorsal scales smooth, in 16–17:17:13 rows; ventrals 221–229; subcaudals 124, divided; anal divided; supralabials 9 (4–6 entering orbit); preocular 1; postoculars 2; temporals 2+2. Overall colouration black with green spots in each scale and red spots on dorsal scales. Venter uniform pale green.
Distribution: A diurnal non-endemic species restricted to Narcondam Island in the Andaman archipelago. Not found in any other island within the main Andaman chain of islands.
Remarks: The
two specimens
specified here were collected by the police personnel and reported during an expedition to Narcondam by Humayun Abdulali of the BNHS in early 1969-70 (
Abdulali, 1971
) that were recently dealt with by
Chandramouli and Adhikari (2022)
. A fairly recent survey on this island has not recorded this species (Raman
et al
., 2013). It is widespread in other parts of Southeast Asia (
Whitaker and Captain, 2004
) and absent on other islands of the Andaman archipelago.
Status: Rare.