Post by Ceratodromeus on Jan 25, 2016 3:19:10 GMT 5
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genus: Crotalus
Species: C. ericsmithi
Description
Discovered in 2008, C.ericsmithi is a mid sized rattlesnake with a beautifu lcolor pattern very similar to that of the closely related C. lannomi. It is only distinguished via morphological differences, being smaller in snout-vent length, dorsal scalature on the head, having a smaller rattle, a proportionately longer tail, and being less stoutly built then the latter species. The holotype, an adult male((UTA R-55372), was discovered on a dirt road in Carretera La Laguna–Bajitos de laLaguna, Guerrero, Sierra Madre del Sur,Mexico. The animal measured 54cm(21.2in) in total length, with a tail length of 8.6cm(3.3in){1}.
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{1} A NEW LONG-TAILED RATTLESNAKE (VIPERIDAE) FROM GUERRERO, MEXICO
Abstract
A distinctive new species of rattlesnake is described from the western versant of the Sierra
Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico. This long-tailed rattlesnake cannot be confused with any other species of
rattlesnake and is most similar to Crotalus stejnegeri and C. lannomi. The Guerrero species possesses a
strikingly distinct color pattern and differs from all other rattlesnakes in aspects of lepidosis. Mexico
continues to be the origin of newly discovered species that provide important insights into the evolution or
ecology of particular groups. A few examples from recent decades include Exiliboa placata, a monotypic,
relictual dwarf boa (Bogert, 1968), Rhadinophanes monticola, a monotypic, highland colubrid (Myers and
Campbell, 1981), and Pseudoeurycea aquatica, the only aquatic bolitoglossine salamander (Wake and
Campbell, 2001).
link to study
