Dipsas (Smith, 1958)

CADLE, JOHN E. & MYERS, CHARLES W., 2003, Systematics of Snakes Referred to Dipsas variegata in Panama and Western South America, with Revalidation of Two Species and Notes on Defensive Behaviors in the Dipsadini (Colubridae), American Museum Novitates 3409, pp. 1-48 : 43

Dipsas ‘‘ oreas ’’ elegans

ECUADOR: Cotopaxi: Corazón [01°08̍S, 79°04̍W], USNM 210938–210939. Pichincha: [on] way to Mindo [00°02̍S, 78°48̍W], USNM 210934. Road to Mindo [00°02̍S, 78°48̍W], USNM 210961. 2.9 km SW Tandayapa on Mindo road [00°01̍S, 78°46̍W], USNM 285957. Nanegal Grande [00°07̍S, 78°46̍W], USNM 210936. Below Pacto [00°09̍S, 78°45̍W], USNM 210937. Santo Domingo de los Colorados [00°15̍S, 79°09̍W; 600 m], USNM 210935.

17 Fowler (1913: 169) referred these specimens to Leptognathus (= Dipsas ) ellipsifera ( ANSP 18117) and Leptognathus andianus ( ANSP 18120 [fig. 11 top], 18123). All three conform to our concept of D. oreas outlined in the text. They have extensive dark markings on the head, heavily pigmented venters, and distinct bands that are broader than the interspaces; none of these is characteristic of D. andiana . Head markings consist of thick, elongate, parallel blotches, which are characteristic of D. oreas (figs. 9–11, 12 bottom), but in ANSP 18120 the blotches are fused anteriorly (fig. 11 top), a rare condition in D. oreas that approaches the pattern in D. andiana . In such cases the fusion is incomplete, the mark is much thicker than in D. andiana , and it has more irregular edges.

18 MUSM­JEC numbers refer to Cadle field numbers that are yet to be cataloged into the MUSM collection.

19 This designation refers to a series of closely contiguous localities along an elevational transect in the upper Río Zaña valley on the western side of the Cordillera Occidental, in the vicinity of Hacienda Monteseco. Specific localities are available for individual specimens. See Cadle (1989, 1991) for discussion.