Taxonomic Status of Two Simultaneously Described Apostolepis Cope, 1862 Species (Dipsadidae: Elapomorphini) from Caatinga Enclaves Moist Forests, Brazil
Apostolepis mariae and Apostolepis thalesdelemai are two simultaneously described Elapomorphini snake species for two mountain ranges of Caatinga Enclaves moist forests in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. Both species were differentiated from congeners and from one another based exclusively on external morphology. We examined the type specimens as well as a comprehensive series of specimens for both species and provide evidence for the recognition of both taxa as conspecific. We apply Article 24.2.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) that provides guidelines for taxonomic status precedence for both species based on the principle of the first reviser decision. Based on the ICZN code, we gave precedence for A. thalesdelemai over A. mariae. Finally, we provide a complementary diagnosis for A. thalesdelemai along with comments on its geographic distribution, natural history, and conservation.
Apostolepis mariae e Apostolepis thalesdelemai são duas espécies de serpentes Elapomorphini descritas simultaneamente para duas áreas montanhosas do estado do Ceará, nordeste do Brasil. Ambas espécies foram diferenciadas de seus congêneres e de si mesmas exclusivamente com base em morfologia externa. Neste estudo, revisitamos os espécimes tipo, assim como uma uma série abrangente de exemplares de ambas espécies, apresentando evidência para o reconhecimento de ambos táxons como conspecíficos. Aplicamos o Artigo 24.2.1. do Código Internacional de Nomenclatura Zoológica, que rege diretrizes de precedência de status taxonômico, com base no princípio da decisão do primeiro revisor. Com base nisto, damos precedência à A. thalesdelemai sobre A. mariae. Por fim, apresentamos uma diagnose complementar, bem como comentários acerca de sua distribuição geográfica, história natural, e conservação.Abstract
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Illustrations of dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Apostolepis thalesdelemai (top, CHUFC 2341) holotype, and A. mariae (bottom, CHUFC 3131) holotype. Illustration credits: A. Tiutenko.
Degrees of morphological variation in Apostolepis thalesdelemai from Planalto de Ibiapaba, Ceará, Brazil. (A) Dorsal view of adult specimen (CHUFC 2954, paratype of A. thalesdelemai), displaying absent nuchal collar. (B) Head view of the specimen in (A). (C) Ventral view of the specimen in (A). (D) Dorsal view of juvenile (ZUEC 3384), displaying nearly complete nuchal collar. (E) Head views of juvenile (unvouchered), displaying complete nuchal collar. (F) Tail view of specimen in (E).
Sulcate (left), assulcate (middle), and lateral (right) views of the hemipenis of Apostolepis thalesdelemai (IBSP 80733).
Geographic distribution of Apostolepis thalesdelemai (in red, populations formerly assigned to A. mariae; in green, populations formerly assigned to A. thalesdelemai) and relictual moist forests (1–4) from northern Ceará: Planalto da Ibiapaba (1); Serra da Meruoca (2); Serra de Uruburetama (3); and Maciço de Baturité, Serra de Maranguape, and Serra da Aratanha (4).
Relictual moist forests (Brejos de altitude) from the state of Ceará, Brazil, and their main characteristics, which differ from the surrounding semiarid Caatinga: general view of the slope of Plateau of Ibiapaba (A), soil covered by leaf litter and permanently shaded by the forest canopy causing poor penetration of sunlight to ground level (B), and mist inside the forest contributes with the high level of humidity in the area differing from the surrounding semiarid Caatinga (C).
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