The Weipa bandy bandy (Vermicella parscauda) is a species of snake in the family Elapidae, described in 2018.

Vermicella parscauda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Vermicella
Species:
V. parscauda
Binomial name
Vermicella parscauda
Derez et al., 2018

It is endemic to Australia.[1][2]

Taxonomy

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The species name is from Latin pars (part) and cauda (tail), after the tail length and the formed bands on the tail.[1]

Description

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The snake has 55–94 black dorsal bands and mottled or black ventral scales terminating approximately 2/3rds of the body into formed black rings.[1]

Habitat and distribution

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It is found in the Weipa area, Cape York, in Queensland. It inhabits monsoon habitat.[1]

Conservation

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The species has a confined locality and seems to be rare based on the lack of specimens. This coupled with potential habitat disruption due to mining suggests that this species may be threatened and need conservation.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Derez, Chantelle M.; Arbuckle, Kevin; Ruan, Zhiqiang; Xie, Bing; Huang, Yu; Dibben, Lauren; Shi, Qiong; Vonk, Freek J.; Fry, Bryan G. (2018-07-16). "A new species of bandy-bandy ( Vermicella : Serpentes: Elapidae) from the Weipa region, Cape York, Australia". Zootaxa. 4446 (1): 1–12. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4446.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 30313893. S2CID 52831380.
  2. ^ "Vermicella parscauda". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2020-04-14.