Revisão taxonômica de Liophis typhlus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Abstract

The Liophis typhlus (Linnaeus, 1758) it is a species of restricted distribution to the South America, being recognized three subspecies: Liophis typhlus typhlus found in the tropical forests throughout the Amazonian basin in the following countries: Equador, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru the East of Andes, North and East of Venezuela, Guianas and Brazil; Liophis typhlus brachyurus gift in Forest Atlantic of the southeastern Brazilian, Cerrados Center-west Brazilian, and in Paraguay; and Liophis typhlus elaeoides gift in the basin of the River Paraguay, including the Chacos of southeastern of Bolivia, North of Paraguay, and Center-west of Brazil. With the objective to taxonomic revise of Liophis typhlus 16 morphometrics and 19 meristics characters of 240 specimens had been analyzed. The skull and hemipenis they had been analyzed of comparative form between taxa. Sexual differences had been identified significant, using test t. Analyses of Discriminante Function had been carried through enter studied specimens of taxa. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used between taxa, to verify significant differences between them. Significant difference between males and females, with regard to the, of the specimens of L. t elaeoides was evidenced. In L. t. typhlus had been evidenced significant differences with regard to six characters (CT, CCA, LCA, LFR, CMA and VE). The results of the analyses of the Discriminante Function had indicated a clear distinction between three taxa studied. The coloration pattern, the skull and hemipenis they had been important in diagnose of the species. The distribution of L. typhlus, seems to be restricted to the Amazonian, having its south limit in the north of Mato-Grosso next to the area to Amazonian-Cerrado transistion. L. brachyurus more is associated the Cerrado, however it occurs in areas of Forest Atlantic, Caatinga and Pantanal. L. elaeoides possesss an area of more restricted distribution to the Chaco and Pantanal, however its distribution was extended, with analysis of two units originating the Rio Grande do Sul. It was not possible to verify the phylogenetic relationships between species L. brachyurus, L. elaeoides and L. typhlus with the too much species of the genera.