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Genus of snakes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lycodryas is a genus of snakes in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae. The genus contains nine species, seven of which are endemic to the island of Madagascar, and two to the Comoros Islands.[2] Its sister taxon is Phisalixella.[1] All of the species are harmless to humans.
Lycodryas | |
---|---|
Lycodryas maculatus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Pseudoxyrhophiidae |
Subfamily: | Pseudoxyrhophiinae |
Genus: | Lycodryas Günther, 1879 |
Type species | |
Lycodryas sanctijohannis Günther, 1879 | |
Species | |
9 recognized species, see text | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Stenophis Boulenger, 1896 |
Lycodryas are arboreal snakes that are believed to be active hunters. However, their ecology is generally poorly known.[1]
Lycodryas are markedly elongated, slender-bodied snakes with often striking coloration. The head is distinct. They typically have 8 (range: 7–9) upper labials and 6–10 lower labials, 1 loreal scale, 17–19 rows of dorsal scales at mid-body and 13 or 15 rows of dorsal scales at the last ventral, 185–284 ventral scales, anal plate that is usually divided, and 70–130 subcaudal scales. The contracted pupil is a small vertical ellipse.[1]
The following nine species are recognized as being valid.[2]
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lycodryas.
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