Kikuzato's brook snake (Opisthotropis kikuzatoi), also known commonly as Kikuzato's stream snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Ryukyu Islands (Japan).
| Kikuzato's brook snake | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Opisthotropis |
| Species: | O. kikuzatoi
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| Binomial name | |
| Opisthotropis kikuzatoi | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Etymology edit
The specific name, kikuzatoi, is in honor of Kiyotasu Kikuzato, who collected the holotype.[3]
Geographic range edit
O. kikuzatoi is found on Kumejima Island, one of the Okinawa Group islands of Japan.[1][2]
Habitat edit
O. kikuzatoi is aquatic, inhabiting flowing streams in the northern and southern hilly regions of the island. Habitats between the two localities have been completely converted to agricultural land.[1]
Threats edit
This species, O. kikuzatoi, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN under criterion B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v), due to threats from capturing as bycatch, water pollution, and predation from introduced species, primarily Lithobates catesbeianus, the American bullfrog. The American bullfrog was introduced was introduced to Kumeijima Island in 1953, and predation may provide great pressure on the population after many decades of population decline. Inbreeding within the small (and isolated) populations is becoming a significant threat also. Specimens have been observed with minor abnormalities (asymmetrical scales on the head) not recorded in the past.[1]
Diet edit
O. kikuzatoi feeds on earthworms, freshwater shrimp, freshwater fishes, tadpoles, and frogs.[2]
Reproduction edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Kidera, N.; Ota, H. (2017). "Opisthotropis kikuzatoi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T15391A96877390. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T15391A96877390.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Opisthotropis kikuzatoi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 December 2022.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Opisthotropis kikuzatoi, p. 141).
Further reading edit
- Okada Y, Takara T (1958). "A New Species of Liopeltis (Ophidia, Colubridae) from the Ryukyu Islands". Bull. Biogeograph. Soc. Japan 20 (3): 1–3. (Liopeltis kikuzatoi, new species).
- Ota H (2004). "Field observations on a highly endangered snake, Opisthotropis kikuzatoi (Squamata: Colubridae), endemic to Kumejima Island, Japan". Current Herpetology 23 (2): 73–80.
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