Elapidae, F.Boie, 1827

Weinell, Jeffrey L., Hooper, Errol, Leviton, Alan E. & Brown, Rafe M., 2019, Illustrated Key to the Snakes of the Philippines, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 66 (1), pp. 1-49 : 13-14

Elapidae (terrestrial species)

Key to Philippine genera.

1a. Three postocular scales ( Fig. 17A–B ); lateral body scales in oblique or horizontal rows ( Fig. 15 ).................................................................... 2

1b. Two postocular scales ( Fig. 17C–D ); lateral body scales in horizontal rows ( Fig. 15B ); number of longitudinal rows of dorsal body scales not reducing posteriorly..................... 3

2a. Dorsal body scales in 17–25 longitudinal rows at midbody; postnasal scale vertically elongate, separated from or only narrowly in contact with prefrontal scale ( Fig. 17A )..... Naja (p. 30)

2b. Dorsal body scales in 15 longitudinal rows throughout length of body; postnasal scale triangular, about as long as tall, and broadly in contact with prefrontal scale ( Fig. 17B )....................................................................... Ophiophagus (p. 31)

3a. Two anterior temporal scales ( Fig. 17C ); dorsal body scales in 15 longitudinal rows throughout length of body.............................................. Hemibungarus (p. 24)

3b. One anterior temporal scale ( Fig. 17D ); dorsal body scales in 13 longitudinal rows throughout length of body.................................................. Calliophis (p. 21)

Figures

FIGURE 17. Lateral view of head of (A) Naja samarensis (KU 326653), (B) Ophiophagus hannah (KU 321813), (C) Hemibungarus mcclungi (KU 313898), (D) Calliophis philippina (KU 327218). Postocular scales (green), anterior temporal scales (purplish-gray), postnasal scales (blue), prefrontal scales (reddish brown).

FIGURE 15. Lateral body scales of (A) Dendrelaphis marenae (KU 314131): oblique rows, (B) Oligodon maculatus (KU 321699): horizontal rows.