Redescription of the Blind Snake Anomalepis colombia (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) Using High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography
The blind snake Anomalepis colombia was described based on a single specimen, and since the collection of this specimen by Kjell von Sneidern in January 1946, there are no records of other specimens in scientific collections. This species is known only from the type locality in La Selva, Pueblo Rico, Caldas, Colombia. In this study A. colombia is redescribed based on external morphology and a detailed osteological description of the skull, prepared by high-resolution x-ray computed tomography. A cobra cega Anomalepis colombia foi descrita com base em um único espécime e desde que este espécime foi coletado por Kjell von Sneidern em janeiro de 1946, não há registros de outros espécimes em coleções científicas. Esta espécie é conhecida apenas da localidade tipo em La Selva, Pueblo Rico, Caldas, Colombia. Neste estudo, A. colombia é redescrita com base em morfologia externa e uma detalhada descrição osteológica do crânio, baseada em tomografia computadorizada de raios X de alta resolução (HRXCT).
Map of northwestern South America showing type locality of Anomalepis colombia (red dot).
Holotype of Anomalepis colombia, FMNH 54986, 176.9 mm TL, La Selva, Pueblo Rico, 1700 m asl, Caldas, Colombia. Scale bar = 5 mm.
Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of the head of Anomalepis colombia, FMNH 54986, holotype. Scale bar = 1 mm.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the skull of Anomalepis colombia, FMNH 54986, holotype, based on HRXCT data. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Lateral view. (C) Ventral view. (D) Anterior view. (E) Posterior view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Anatomical abbreviations: a, angular; cb, compound bone; co, coronoid; d, dentary; ec, ectopterygoid; en, external naris; f, frontal; fo, foramen; m, maxilla; n, nasal; oc, occipital condyle; otc, otooccipital (fused exoccipital + opisthotic); p, parietal; pa, palatine; pbs, parabasisphenoid; pe, postorbital element; pf, prefrontal; pg, pterygoid; pm, premaxilla; pr, prootic; q, quadrate; rp, retroarticular process; sm, septomaxilla; so, supraoccipital; v, vomer.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower jaw of Anomalepis colombia, FMNH 54986, holotype, based on HRXCT data. (A) Lateral view. (B) Medial view. (C) Dorsal view. (D) Ventral view. (E) Anterior view. (F) Posterior view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Anatomical abbreviations: a, angular; arf, articular fossa; cb, compound bone; cbp, compound bone prearticular component; cbs, compound bone surangular component; co, coronoid; ctf, chorda tympani foramen; d, dentary; Mc, Meckel's canal; mf, mental foramen; rp, retroarticular process.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the skull of Anomalepis colombia, FMNH 54986, holotype, based on HRXCT data. (A) Transversal view with lower jaw digitally removed. (B) Frontal view. (C) Sagittal view. Scale bar = 1 mm. Anatomical abbreviations: a, angular; cb, compound bone; co, coronoid; d, dentary; ec, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; fv, fenestra vomeronasalis; m, maxilla; n, nasal; otc, otooccipital (fused exoccipital + opisthotic); p, parietal; pa, palatine; pbs, parabasisphenoid; pe, postorbital element; pf, prefrontal; pg, pterygoid; pm, premaxilla; q, quadrate; rp, retroarticular process; sm, septomaxilla; so, supraoccipital; v, vomer.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: W. L. Smith.