| Lycophidion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lycophidion variegatum | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Lamprophiidae |
| Subfamily: | Lamprophiinae |
| Genus: | Lycophidion Fitzinger, 1843 |
| Species | |
|
23 species, see text. | |
Lycophidion is a genus of nonvenomous lamprophiid snakes commonly referred to as the wolf snakes.
As of 2015 there are 23 recognized species in the genus.
Description and behavior
Wolf snakes are small snakes which forage at night for sleeping lizards. They have flat heads and large recurved teeth that are assumed to aid them in their extraction of lizards from their lairs.
Reproduction
All species in the genus Lycophidion are oviparous and lay between 3 and 10 eggs.
Species
The following species are recognized as being valid.
- Lycophidion acutirostre Günther, 1868
- Lycophidion albomaculatum Steindachner, 1870
- Lycophidion capense (A. Smith, 1831)
- Lycophidion chirioi J.-F. Trape, 2021
- Lycophidion depressirostre Laurent, 1968
- Lycophidion hellmichi Laurent, 1964
- Lycophidion irroratum (Leach, 1819)
- Lycophidion jacksoni (Boulenger, 1893) – western Jackson's wolf snake
- Lycophidion laterale Hallowell, 1857
- Lycophidion meleagre Boulenger, 1893
- Lycophidion multimaculatum Boettger, 1888
- Lycophidion namibianum Broadley, 1991
- Lycophidion nanum (Broadley, 1958)
- Lycophidion nigromaculatum (W. Peters, 1863)
- Lycophidion ornatum Parker, 1936
- Lycophidion pembanum Laurent,1968
- Lycophidion pygmaeum Broadley, 1996
- Lycophidion semiannule W. Peters, 1854
- Lycophidion semicinctum A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
- Lycophidion taylori Broadley & Hughes, 1993
- Lycophidion tchadensis J.-F. Trape, 2021 – Chad wolf snake
- Lycophidion uzungwense Loveridge, 1932
- Lycophidion variegatum Broadley, 1969
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lycophidion.
References
- ^ Uetz, Peter. "Search results - Lycophidion ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- Marais, Johan (2004). A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa (New ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 978-1868729326.
- ^ Alexander, Graham; Marais, Johan (2007). A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa (3. impression. ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 94. ISBN 9781770073869. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
Further reading
- Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Genus Lycophidion, p. 76).
- Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Lycophidion, new genus, p. 27). (in Latin).
| Taxon identifiers | |
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| Lycophidion | |
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