Gerarda prevostiana (Eydoux and Gervais, 1837)

Gerard’s Water Snake

Coluber (Homalopsis) prevostianus Eydoux & Gervais, 1837:5, pl. 16, figs. 4–6.

Gerarda bicolor Gray, 1849:77 (fide Smith, 1943:394).

Gerarda prevostiana, Cope, 1862:1 .— Smith, 1943:394, figs. 125–126.— Murphy and Voris, 2014:20, fig. 27.— Wallach, Williams, and Boundy, 2014:301.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S).— “ Manille ”, Luzon Id., Philippines. Syntypes (2): MNHN 3758 and 7593 (fide Wallach et al. [2014:301]) .

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION.— Palawan.

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION (OTHER THAN PHILIPPINES) (Map 14C [p. 125]).— India (Bombay and Malabar regions), Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Gulf of Martaban), west coast of Malay Peninsula, East Malaysia (Sarawak).

REMARKS.— Wallach et al. (2014:301) note that the “Original description reprinted in Eydoux & Gervais (1837b:7–72, pl. 30, figs. 4–6). Plates incorrectly labeled 15 in text (1837a:5) and 29 in text (1837b:70).”

That this species occurs in or near Manila, Luzon, is highly unlikely and the record for its occurrence there most probably orignated by the syntypical specimens being shipped to the MNHN from the port of Manila.

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN].— Least Concern [2016] ver. 3.1.