| Tropidophis cacuangoae | |
|---|---|
| |
| A-C. ♂ holotype, D-F. ♀ paratype | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Tropidophiidae |
| Genus: | Tropidophis |
| Species: | T. cacuangoae |
| Binomial name | |
| Tropidophis cacuangoae Ortega-Andrade, Bentley, Koch, Yánez-Muñoz and Entiauspe-Neto, 2022 | |
Tropidophis cacuangoae is a dwarf boa species in the genus Tropidophis, described in 2022.
Description
T. cacuangoae usually grows to a length of 20 centimeters. These snakes have a skin coloring similar to those of the boa constrictor.
Distribution and habitat
The snakes are endemic to South America, more precisely in Ecuador.
Discovery
The species was discovered in 2022 in Ecuadorian Amazon by multi-organization researchers that included Mauricio Ortega Andrade, Alexander Bentley, Claudia Koch, Mario Yánez-Muñoz and Omar Entiauspe Neto. Two specimens were found in the Colonso Chalupas national reserve and in the private Sumak kawsay park, the discoverers reported. The specific epithet honors early 20th century indigenous rights activist Dolores Cacuango.
References
- ^ H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrad; Alexander Bentley; Claudia Koch; Mario H. Yánez-Muñoz; Omar M. Entiauspe-Neto (29 December 2022). "A time relic: a new species of dwarf boa, Tropidophis Bibron, 1840 (Serpentes: Amerophidia), from the Upper Amazon Basin". European Journal of Taxonomy. 854: 1–107. doi:10.5852/EJT.2022.854.2021. ISSN 2118-9773. Wikidata Q116142810.
- "Scientists stumble upon tiny, 1-foot snake in rainforest — and discover a new species".
- AFP (2023-01-06). "New dwarf boa found in Ecuadoran Amazon". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- "Strange New Snake Species Dubbed Primitive 'Relic of Time'". MSN. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- "New dwarf boa found in Ecuadoran Amazon". phys.org. Retrieved 2023-01-07.