Tropidophis morenoi, also commonly known as the zebra dwarf boa and the zebra trope, is a species of snake in the family Tropidophiidae. The species is endemic to the West Indies.[2]

Tropidophis morenoi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Tropidophiidae
Genus: Tropidophis
Species:
T. morenoi
Binomial name
Tropidophis morenoi

Etymology

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The specific name, morenoi, is in honor of Cuban herpetologist Luis V. Moreno.[3]

Geographic range

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T. morenoi is endemic to Villa Clara Province, north-central Cuba.[2]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitat of T. morenoi is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 25 m (82 ft).[1]

Description

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T. morenoi is distinguished from other Tropidophis species by its buff ground color, with brown spots fused to form zebra-like bands.[2] The longest specimen measured is a female with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 35.9 cm (14.1 in) and a tail length of 5.7 cm (2.2 in).[4]

Reproduction

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T. morenoi is viviparous.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Fong, A. (2021). "Tropidophis morenoi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T75606556A75608049.en. Accessed on 26 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Hedges, S. Blair; Garrido, Orlando H.; Díaz, Luis M. (2001). "A New Banded Snake of the Genus Tropidophis (Tropidophiidae) from North-Central Cuba". Journal of Herpetology 35: 615-617. (Tropidophis morenoi, new species). (in English, plus abstract in Spanish).
  3. ^ 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. (Tropidophis morenoi, p. 183).
  4. ^ Domínguez, Michel; Moreno, Luis V.; Schettino, Lourdes Rodríguez (2006). "Tropidophis morenoi (NCN [no common name]). Size Record". Herpetological Review 37 (3): 356.
  5. ^ Species Tropidophis morenoi at The Reptile Database