Christopher P. Kofron

Ecology of Two Endangered Aquatic Turtles in Missouri: Kinosternon flavescens and Emydoidea blandingii

Kinosternon flavescens and Emydoidea blandingii are both included on the Missouri list of endangered species, and the Missouri populations of K. flavescens are under consideration for placement upon the federal list. There are four known populations of K. flavescens and two of E. blandingii within the state, all in Clark County in the western floodplain of the Mississippi River. Goose Pond, a small patch of remnant marsh in a former river channel of the Des Moines River, is the last natural habitat in Missouri that contains a population of either species. Sandy soil appears to be a habitat requisite for both species. Kinosternon flavescens appears to tolerate major alterations of the natural habitat, whereas E. blandingii requires clean shallow water with abundant aquatic vegetation and appears to be sensitive to habitat manipulation. Kinosternon flavescens at Goose Pond had an aquatic feeding period of only three months. The species began aquatic feeding during April, but then ceased during July without any later resumption. Emydoidea blandingii fed for approximately 4/2 months with two distinct phases: the first phase during April, May, June, and the first half of July; and a second phase during the latter half of August and the first half of September prior to hibernation. Kinosternon flavescens fed predominantly upon hard-shelled snails, and to a lesser extent upon insects, fish, and crayfish. Emydoidea blandingii fed predominantly upon crayfish and insects. The data suggest that E. blandingii in Missouri attain sexual maturity at a carapace length of 170-180 mm.

Status and habitats of the three African crocodiles in Liberia

A r-epr-esen-tative saim1ple of waterways in Liberia was surveyed for- cr-ocodiles, an-d all thlee species of Afiicanl crocodiles were observed. Contrary to previous r-eports, on-ly Nile crocodiles inhabit the Monr-oiovia imlan-gr-ove swamps an-d b3rackish-water- mouths of rivers; ther-e ar-e nlo slender- snlouted or clwar-f ciocodiles in these habitats. Ther-e is partitioning of habitats among the three species in LibDeria: Nile crocodiles in man-gr-ove swamllps an-d river mouths (br-ackish water); slenlder- snloiuted crocodiles in rivers tlhlouLgh rain- forest (fi-eshvwater); an-d dwarf crocodiles in small streamlls thlrou-gh r-aini for-est (fireshwater), somile en-tei-in-g the adjaceint river. Dwxarf crocodiles utilize burrows in the str-eaim- b3anlks. Nowvhere are crocodiles abun-dant, an-d there is anl appar-en-t absence of adults. AlthouLgh 400, of LibDeria is for-ested, deforestation- is occurrinlg rapidly b3y foreign- timber companlies andec slash-and- buLrni agriculture practised b3y the largely rur-al popuLlation-. Hun-tinig witll firearm-s, althiouLgh illegal, is widespread, both for sulDsisten-ce an-d commiler-cially, without con-cern- for depletion-. Manlgrove ecosystem--s nlear hulman- population- cen-tr-es are bein-g destroyed. The combinlationl of tlhe above factois has apparently depleted the crocodile populationls in Liberia.

The central and south American anomalepid snakes of the genus Liotyphlops

The essential characters of the anomalepid snake genus Liotyphlops are found in its osteology, scale rows, numbers of dorsals, size, and head scale arrangements. The twelve currently recognized species of Liotyphlops are reduced to five through the analyses of variation of all available specimens in the Genus. Liotyphlops caracasensis, L. cucutae, L. guentheri, L. incertus, L. metae, L. petersi, and L. rowani, are placed in the synonomy of other species. One currently recognized synonym, L. beui, is removed from synonomy and recognized as a separate species. A new species is described from the Rio Magdalena basin of Colombia, and one individual from Brazil represents an apparent new species, but is not formally described in this paper. Other species of Liotyphlops recognized by us areL. albirostris, L. anops, L. schubarti, L. ternetzii, and L. wilderi. Variation in lateral head scale arrangements is documented for a large series of L. albirostris from Panama. Head scale variations, variations in numbers of scale rows about the body, and absence ofan unified method of labeling head scales has produced an excessive number of synonyms for the species of the genus. A new method for labeling lateral head scales of Liotyphlops is proposed, the entire distribution ofthe genus is clarified, and a key to the species is presented.

Systematics of neotropical gastropod-eating snakes: the sartorii group of the genus Sibon

Sibon sartorii, S. annulifera and S. zweifeli are more closely related to each other than to any other species of Sibon, and together they comprise the sartorii group. The sartorii group is distinguished by the shared characteristics of: 1) cylindrical body; 2) dorsal scales of equal size; 3) dorsal pattern of black bands alternating with light bands of red, orange, yellow, beige, cream or white; 4) 6-12 maxillary teeth; 5) 10-16 dentary teeth; and 6) non-protruding eyes of small to moderate diameter. Geographic and non-geographic variation in the species are analyzed. Colors of light bands and collars of S. sartorii cannot be used as a characteristic to diagnose subspecies because of the tremendous variation throughout its range. S. sartorii has two valid subspecies, the nominate form and S. sartorii macdougalli. Data are presented for inclusion of Tropidodipsas sartorii annulata in the synonymy of S. s. sartorii. S. annulifera is monotypic, and S. zweifeli is known from only two specimens.

Female reproductive cycle of the African snail-eating snake, Duberria lutrix

The female reproductive cycle of Duberria lutrix was studied in Zimbabwe. Reproduction was seasonal and annual. In general, vitellogenesis occurred from February through June, with ovulation from late May through August. Most births occurred during November and December, but some as early as October and late as mid-January. Vitellogenesis began during the latter third of the wet season, followed by ovulation during the dry season, and parturition during the next wet season. Gravid females appeared to reduce feeding. Sizes of litters ranged from 4-16 in number, and there was a high positive correlation between snout-vent length and litter size. Most females did not reproduce until the end of their second year of life.

Systematics of Neotropical gastropod-eating snakes: the dimidiata group of the genus Sibon, with comments on the nebulata group

Sibon dimidiata and S. sanniola comprise the dimidiata group of Sibon, and S. nebulata and S. dunni the nebulata group. The species within each group are more closely related to each other than to any other species of Sibon. S. annulata, S. argus and S. longifrenis are placed in the synonymy of S. dimidiata, with no basis for recognition of the nominal subspecies S. dimidiata grandoculis. S. sanniola has two subspecies, the nominate form and S. sanniola neilli. The dimidiata group is distinguished by the shared characteristics of: (1) non-cylindrical body (laterally compressed or bread-loaf shape in cross section); (2) head distinctly wider than neck; (3) protruding eyes of large diameter; (4) vertebral and paravertebral scales not or only scarcely wider than other dorsals; (5) 11-20 maxillary teeth; (6) 20-27 dentary teeth; and (7) 1 or 2 postmental scales. The nebulata group is distinguished by the shared characteristics of: (1) laterally compressed body; (2) head distinctly wider than neck; (3) vertebral scales 1 1/4 -1 1/2 times wider than other dorsals; (4) about 12-17 maxillary teeth; (5) about 18-24 dentary teeth; and (6) absence of a postmental scale.

The central and south american blindsnakes of the genus Anomalepis

The Neotropical blindsnakes of the genus Anomalepis are reviewed. Four species are recognized: A. mexicanus in Costa Rica, Panama and Peru; A. colombia in Colombia; A. flavapices in Ecuador; and A. aspinosus in Peru. Numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows around the body are the only characteristics by which the species can be diagnosed. Anomalepis colombia, A. flavapices and A. aspinosus comprise a species group (the aspinosus group) with a combined geographic distribution somewhat similar to that of A. mexicanus, but more restricted. The aspinosus group is characterized by higher numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows: 308-363 dorsals, and a scale-row formula of (26-27-28-30)-(24-26-30)-(24-27). Anomalepis mexicanus is characterized by fewer numbers of dorsal scales and scale rows: 259-299 dorsals, and a scale-row formula of (24-25-26)-(20-22-23-24)-(20-21-22). Anomalepis flavapices and A. aspinosus may be synonymous.