identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
C2337B59FFE6FFF7DC914165FB9CB73F.text	C2337B59FFE6FFF7DC914165FB9CB73F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis Kuhl & Hasselt 1822	<div><p>Homalopsis Kuhl &amp; Hasselt, 1822</p><p>Coluber Linnaeus, 1758: 217 .</p><p>Vipera Daudin 1803a: 220 .</p><p>Homalopsis Kuhl &amp; Hasslet 1822: 101</p><p>Pythonia Blyth 1859: 279</p><p>Pythonella Theobald 1868: 66 (lapsus for Pythonia fide Williams &amp; Wallach, 1989)</p><p>Type species. Coluber horridus Daudin, 1803a (synonym of Coluber buccatus Linnaeus, 1758) by original designation.</p><p>Content. Five species: Homalopsis buccata, H. hardwickii, H. nigroventralis, H. mereljcoxi sp. nov., and H. semizonata .</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis can be distinguished from all other Southeast Asian snakes by their keeled and striated scales in 33–49 rows at midbody; crescent-shaped valvular nostrils; lower labials posterior to the eye are horizontally divided; and enlarged plates (frontal and parietals) on the crown. Snakes of the genus Cerberus are the species most likely to be confused with Homalopsis; however, Cerberus have fewer than 30 scales rows at midbody and the frontal and parietals are ‘fragmented’ into small irregular scales.</p><p>Distribution. Homalopsis ranges from Nepal (based on an anecdotal record, Zug &amp; Mitchell 1995) and probably northeast India, eastward to Indochina and southward into the Malayan peninsula and the Indonesian Archipelago as far east as Borneo. One specimen has been reported from Makassar, Sulawesi (Rooji 1917) but De Lang &amp;Vogel (2005) could not validate its presence on the island. Figure 5 shows the distribution of the five species recognized here. Regional works on India and Nepal rarely mention the presence of Homalopsis . Neither Ahmed et al. (2009) nor Whitaker &amp; Captain (2004) mention the species in India and only Schleich &amp; Kastle (2002) report it from Nepal, and their account is based solely upon the Zug &amp; Mitchell (1995) comment.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFE6FFF7DC914165FB9CB73F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
C2337B59FFEDFFFEDC91404CFAD4B790.text	C2337B59FFEDFFFEDC91404CFAD4B790.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis buccata (Linnaeus 1758) Linnaeus 1758	<div><p>Homalopsis buccata (Linnaeus, 1758)</p><p>Figs. 1 a, 6, 7a</p><p>Coluber buccatus Linnaeus 1754; 1758: 217. Holotype: Lost, (Andersson 1899.). Type locality: "Indiis." In accordance with Article 75.3 of the ICZN, FMNH 250114 is established as the neotype for Coluber buccatus Linnaeus, 1758 . The selection is based upon the type locality “Indiis” which we interpret to mean the East Indies, now the Indonesian Archipelago. See discussion below. With the selection of the neotype the type locality is restricted to Singapore. This specimen was selected because it comes from a location near the east-west center of the range, its collector and locality are known, and tissue from it is available.</p><p>Coluber monilis Linnaeu 1758: 221 . Type locality: " America," in error. Synonymized by Schlegel (1837:337). Andersson 1898: 34.</p><p>Vipera buccata Daudin 1803a, 6: 220.</p><p>Coluber horridus Daudin 1803b, 7: 71. Type locality: “Amerique, selon Seba,” in error.</p><p>Homalopsis monilis – Boie 1826: 521.</p><p>Homalopsis buccata – Schlegel 1837: 2, pl. 13, figs. 1-5; Cantor 1847:96; Gray 1849:67; Bleeker 1857:238; Günther 1864:285; Blanford 1881:215; Boulenger 1890:374; Müller 1887:267; Mocquard 1892:193; Boulenger 1896: 14; Boettger 1898, 2:88; Flower 1896: 887; 1899: 677; Ridley 1899: 208; Lampe &amp; Lindholm 1902:31; Boulenger 1905: 175; Barbour 1912: 123; Boulenger 1912: 162; Despax 1912: 199; Werner 1896: 19; 1900: 490; Laidlaw 1901: 578; Wall 1903: 94; Rooji 1917: 186; Robinson &amp; Kloss 1920: 303; Sworder 1923: 66; Wall 1924: 867; 1925: 817; Dammerman 1926: 323; Brongersma 1929: 67; Dunn 1927: 4; Kopstein 1930: 136; 1938: 160; Smith 1930: 61; Brongersma 1931: 35; Kopstein 1941: 138; Haas 1950: 577; Bergman 1951: 511; Lim Boo Liat 1955: 125; 1956: 142; Hoesel 1959: 74; Bergman 1962: 291; Gyi 1970: 136; Tweedie 1983: 103; Steubing 1991: 333; Berry &amp; Lim 1967: 307; Bosch 1985: 18; David &amp; Vogel 1996: 119; Manthey &amp; Grossman 1997: 356; Steubing &amp; Inger 1999: 96; Teo et al. 1997: 253; de Lang &amp; Vogel 2005: 253; Auliya 2006: 222; Murphy 2007: 193.</p><p>Comment. The only clues to the identity of Coluber buccatus Linnaeus are the ventral and subcaudal counts, and the type locality. The ventral count of 107 is an error, possibly for 170 or 167, in either case two numbers that are completely speculative on our part. The subcaudal count of 72 lies outside the range of all male Homalopsis examined here, but within the range of all female Homalopsis for which we have data (Table 1), except the new Indochinese species (females have 73–92 subcaudals). However, 72 subcaudals is toward the middle of the range for the taxon that inhabits the Indonesian Archipelago. The Indonesian species occupies the largest portion of the Homalopsis distribution, making it statistically probable that Coluber buccatus Linnaeus originated from this population. Oldfield Thomas (1911) noted that “Indiis” as a type locality can only be interpreted to mean “foreign;” and it has been interpreted as being India (Yen 2004) as well as South America (Presch 1973). Here we are interpreting Linnaeus’ locality of “Indiis” for Coluber buccatus as the East Indies, given current knowledge of the distribution of the genus Homalopsis . The gender of Homalopsis is feminine.</p><p>Coluber monilis Linnaeus 1758:221 was represented by four syntypes one of which closely agrees with Linnaeuss’ description (Andersson 1899). NRM 63 (presumably the specimen noted by Andersson) has scale counts (confirmed by Sven Kullander, NRM) consistent with Homalopsis buccata . The specimen is a 245 mm juvenile male with two prefrontal scales; 39 scale rows at midbody reduced to 29 rows at the 10th ventral anterior to the cloaca; 163 ventrals; 83 subcaudals.</p><p>Coluber subalbidus Gmelin, (1789:1103) is based on a drawing in Seba (1735: pl. 21, fig. 3) of a snake said to have 165 ventrals, 75 subcaudals, and 40 dorsal scale rows. The type locality was given as America. Schlegel (1837: 337) placed this snake in the synonymy of Homalopsis buccata . Accepting the scale counts as given, this snake could be H. semizonata, H. buccata, or the new species described here. Thus we have removed this name from the synonymy of H. buccata because it is nomen dubia.</p><p>Coluber horridus Daudin (1803b) was based on a specimen with 166 ventrals and 87 subcaudals. The type locality was in error, and Schlegel (1837) placed the name in the synonymy of C. buccatus Linnaeus. Given the scale counts and the absence of other information, we follow Schlegel. Again, this name could be applicable to any one of three species given the data available. Because this is the type species for the genus, it has been retained in the synonymy of Homalopsis buccata .</p><p>Photographs of Homalopsis buccata can be found in: Auliya (2006: 195), Chan-ard et al. (1999: 169), Lim &amp; Lim (1992: 77), and Taylor (1965: 920–921). Field and laboratory studies and observations that relate directly to this species include reports by Auliya (2006), Bergman (1951), Berry &amp; Lim (1967), Kopstein (1930, 1938, 1941), and Lim Boo Liat (1955, 1956, 1965).</p><p>Distribution. Homalopsis buccata ranges from northern Sumatra to Salanga Island, Indonesia and Borneo; it is present on the Malaysian peninsula and in extreme southern Thailand (vicinity of Pattani). There is a single specimen reported from Sulawesi, but its presence there has not been confirmed (Rooji 1917; Gyi 1970; Murphy 2007; De Lang &amp; Vogel 2005).</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis buccata has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1-4; two prefrontals; 33–40 dorsal scale rows at midbody, usually reduced to less than 30 posteriorly; one postocular scale plus a postsubocular scale; 12 (11–14) upper labials; and a ventral count that is less than 166. Homalopsis hardwickii has a divided loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; one postocular scale and no presubocular scale. Homalopsis nigroventralis has upper labials 1–3 contacting the loreal; one or two postocular scales plus one postsubocular scale; and a reverse color pattern on the venter (dark olive-gray with white spots). Homalopsis semizonata has a divided or fragmented loreal contacting upper labials 1–4 or 1–5; three prefrontals; 39–44 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to more than 30 posteriorly; one postocular and one postsubocular. The new species, H. mereljcoxi, has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; 40–47 scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or more posteriorly; two postocular scales plus a postsubocular; and ventral counts that are usually greater than 165.</p><p>Description of Neotype. An immature female FMNH 250114, 397 mm SVL with a 99 mm tail, from Singapore collected 1 May 1992 by K. Lim. Rostral slightly visible from above; nasals large, in contact, semi-divided with nasal groove contacting first upper labial. Internasal single; two prefrontals make broad contact with loreal; frontal slightly longer than parietals; loreal single and contacts upper labials 1–4. Ocular ring scales: 1/1 supraocular, 1/1 preocular, 1/1 presuboculars, 2/1 postoculars, and 1/1 postsuboculars. Upper labials 14/12, number 6/6 are under the orbit, 7/7 is the first divided; lower labials 18/19, first three contact first chin shield; chin shields in three pairs, first divided lower labial 9/8; about 12 gulars before first ventral. Ventrals number 159, the anal plate is divided; ventrals number 74. Dorsal scale rows 39–37–27, scales are keeled and striated. On the head the snout and anterior crown are dark brown with a posterior occipital pale patch. Upper labials are shaded dark to pale from dorsal to ventral; each side of the head has a dark eye stripe that extends from just before the eye to the buccal "cheeks"; there are 25 light colored bands on the body, 2–3 scales wide, outlined in black and separated by 26 dark brown bands that are 5–7 scale rows wide. The ventral surface is a uniform yellow with 53 pairs of dark brown spots, one on the outer edge of each ventral; the ventral surface of the tail is mottled black and cream.</p><p>Variation. The internasal can be single or divided; the loreal is always single in our sample. Scales in the ocular ring number 5 or more (1 supraocular, 1 preocular, 1 presubocular, 1 or 2 postoculars, 1 postsubocular, 0–2 suboculars, and rarely upper labial 5 or 6). Upper labials are usually 12 (11–14), the first 4 usually contact the loreal (rarely 2–4), the first divided upper labial is usually 7; lower labials range from 15–19, 16 or 17 are usual; the first 3 or 4 contact the first pair of chin shields. Variation in scale counts: (n = 16 males): Dorsal scale rows at the 10th ventral 36–40 (x = 37.2, SD = 6.11); scale rows at midbody 33–39 (x = 36.43, SD = 1.82), scale rows at post body 26–29 (x = 27.06, SD = 1.06). Ventrals 159–168 (x = 163, SD = 2.55). Subcaudals 78-87 (x = 83, SD = 2.43). Variation in females (n = 21 unless otherwise noted): dorsal scale rows on neck 37–42 (x = 38.57, SD = 1.09), scale rows at midbody 33–40 (x = 37.52, SD = 1.40), scale rows at post body 25–30, (x = 27.33, SD = 1.37); ventrals 151–166 (x = 160.19, SD = 3.29); subcaudals 65–80 (n = 18, x = 74.28, SD = 1.09).</p><p>Kopstein (1941) reported scale counts for 34 specimens of Homalopsis buccata from four locations on the island of Java (Soetardjo, Grabag, Indramayu, and Bogor). His ranges are very similar to ours; the slight differences in ventral counts may be explained by our use of Dowling’s (1951) ventral scale counting method. Our analysis of Kopstein’s data revealed the following: dorsal scales at midbody 35–41; ventrals 158–170 (males: n = 20, x = 166.55, SD = 1.87; females: n = 14, x = 163.5, SD = 2.692); subcaudals in males 71-86 (n = 17 x = 83.11, SD = 2.61), and subcaudals in females 70–84 (n = 11, x = 74, SD = 4.44).</p><p>Size. Sixteen male SVLs ranged from 167–695 mm (x = 479.7, SD = 201.6), and their tails ranged from 56– 236 mm (x = 150, SD = 58.9). Twenty female SVL’s ranged from 192–794 mm (x = 511, SD = 157.08); 15 undamaged tails were 62–202 mm (x = 148, SD = 42.59). The SDI is -1.06 for this species. The largest specimen of H. buccata reported in the literature is a 1228 mm female from Bogor (Kopstein 1941).</p><p>Material examined. INDONESIA: Java, Buitenzorg MCZ 76252-59; Salatiga CAS 145591, FMNH 105682; Sumatra, Little Siak River USNM 37813, no specific locality 55325-330; MALAYSIA: Johore ZRC 2-3346 (Bukit Timah), 2-3348, Perak CAS 13066 (42 mi. N. of Kota Tinggi, Johore, Malay Peninsula), FMNH 161283 (Ampang), 183771 (Kampong Eleng 13 mi N Semengih); FMNH 218877, 229810, 229813–17, 229820 (Johore, Muar), FMNH 229823 (Johore, Bukit Gambir); SINGAPORE: CAS 8538-39 (no specific locality), FMNH 250114 (Nee Soon Swamp Forest), ZRC-2-3338-39 (no specific locality); THAILAND: Pattani FMNH 179316–18.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFEDFFFEDC91404CFAD4B790	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
C2337B59FFEEFFF8DC914023FCAFB1AE.text	C2337B59FFEEFFF8DC914023FCAFB1AE.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis hardwickii Gray 1842	<div><p>Homalopsis hardwickii Gray, 1842</p><p>Fig. 1 b</p><p>Homalopsis buccata— Günther 1864:285; Boulenger 1890: 374; 1896: 14; Smith 1943: 390. Wall 1903: 94; Wall 1923: 38; Gyi 1970: 136; Murphy 2007: 193</p><p>Type locality. “ India.”</p><p>Holotype. BMNH 1946.1.7.26.”</p><p>Distribution. Possibly restricted to northeast India, no known extant population. The holotype of Homalopsis hardwickii is reported to be from India, but the datum is questionable. Two other specimens (BMNH 111.18.1 b, g) that may be H. hardwickii have the locality of “Bengal” but do not agree well with the holotype and the locality information is followed by a question mark in the BMNH catalog. Thus, this species remains to be re-discovered and its distribution to be determined.</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis hardwickii has a divided loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; two prefrontal scales; 39 scale rows at midbody reduced to 28 posteriorly; one postocular scale and no presubocular scale; 13 or 14 upper labials; 159 ventrals. Homalopsis buccata has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; one postocular scale plus a postsubocular scale; H. nigroventralis has upper labials 1–3 contacting the loreal; one or two postocular scales plus one postsubocular scale; and a reverse color pattern on the venter (dark olive-gray with white spots). H. semizonata has three prefrontals; one postocular and one postsubocular. The new species, H. mereljcoxi, has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; 40–49 scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or more posteriorly; and two postocular scales plus a postsubocular.</p><p>Redescription of the Holotype. A male, 511 mm SVL, 172 mm tail; dorsal scale rows 41–39–28; 159 ventrals; 84 subcaudals; 1/1preocular, 1/1 postocular, 1/1 postsubocular, no subocular; internasal small and divided; 2/ 2 prefrontals; temporal formula 1/1; upper labials 14/13, first six not horizontally divided; upper labials under orbit 5/6; upper labials in contact with loreal 1-4/1-4; loreal divided on both sides. It has a typical Homalopsis pattern with alternating dark brown separated by white saddle-like blotches, the light blotches number 44, of which 19 do not extend to the vertebral line.</p><p>Material examined. “ INDIA ” BMNH 1946.1.7.26 (type).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFEEFFF8DC914023FCAFB1AE	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
C2337B59FFE9FFFBDC914753FAD1B276.text	C2337B59FFE9FFFBDC914753FAD1B276.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis mereljcoxi	<div><p>Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov.</p><p>Figs. 1 c, 7, 8b</p><p>Homalopsis buccata —Morice 1875: 58; Tirant 1885: 58; Boettger 1888: 139; Boulenger 1890: 374; Sclater 1891: 53; Boulenger 1896: 14; Wall 1903: 94; Volz 1904: 507; Wall 1905: 307; Mocquard 1907: 51; Smith 1914: 101; Gyldenstolpe 1916: 19; Rooji 1917: 186; Mell 1922: 123; Mertens 1929: 6; Bourret 1927: 241; Cochran 1929: 42, 1930: 31; Bourret 1934: 12, 1936: 293; Westermann 1942: 616; Taylor, 1965: 923; Campden-Main 1970: 82; St. Girons &amp; Pfeffer 1971: 551; 1972: 69; Saint Girons 1972: 111; Cox 1991: 61; Nguyen &amp; Ho 1996: 127; Cox et al. 1998: 42; Chan-ard et al. 1999: 169; Pauwels et al. 2000: 142; Stuart et al. 2000: 115; Chanhome et al. 2001: 54; Voris &amp; Murphy 2002: 1625; Stuart 2004: 25; Zhou &amp; Jiang 2005: 3525; Karns et al. 2005: 78; Brooks et al. 2007: 401; Murphy 2007: 193; Nguyen 2007: 149; Nguyen et al. 2007: 350; Brooks et al. 2008: 835 m, 2009: 7, 2010: 2127.</p><p>Comment. Photographs of this snake can be found in: Cox (1991: 223, pl 61), Cox et al. (1998: 42), Lim &amp; Lee (1988: 70), Manthey &amp; Grossmann (1997: 356), and Murphy (2007: 194). Field and laboratory studies and observations that relate directly to this species include the following: Brooks et al. (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), Karns et al. (2005, 2010), Murphy et al. (1999), St. Girons (1972), and Saint Girons &amp; Pfeffer (1971, 1972).</p><p>Holotype. A female, FMNH 263756 from Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Wang Nam Khieo, Udon Sap (subdistrict), Ban Badan Reservoir (14°31’04” N, 101°58’25” E); collected 16 June 2004 by Daryl R. Karns and John C. Murphy.</p><p>Referred specimens. CAMBODIA: Kampong Chhnang Prov – FMNH 259306, 259293; Siem Reap Province – FMNH 257267, 259295, 257269–274, 259297–300, 259302-304; THAILAND: Bangkok FMNH 252515-19; UMMZ 65369(4), 65370(2), UMMZ 65371, 65372(2), 96276; Khonkaen Province FMNH 262474-481; Nakhon Ratchasima Province – FMNH 178378, 180108; FMNH 263756, 263763-64, 263770; Phattalung Prov – FMNH 252520–522; Songkhla Province – FMNH 252514, 252525, 252673–674, 252676–678, 252693, 252698, 252705, 257429–430; No specific locality – ANSP 5116–17, CAS 853021; FMNH 579–580, 252514; VIETNAM: Kien Glang FMNH 259088–092; ROM 37941–942. No data – FMNH 11129, 11551.</p><p>Etymology. This new species is named in in honor of Merel “Jack” Cox, for his years of dedication to the study of the snakes of Thailand.</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis mereljcoxi has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; 40–47 scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or more posteriorly; two postocular scales plus a postsubocular; 13 (12–14) upper labials; and ventral counts that are usually greater than 165. Homalopsis buccata has 33–40 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to less than 30 posteriorly; one postocular scale plus a postsubocular scale; and a ventral count that is less than 166. Homalopsis hardwickii has a divided loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; 39 scale rows at midbody reduced to 28 posteriorly; one postocular scale and no presubocular scale; 159 ventrals. Homalopsis nigroventralis has upper labials 1–3 contacting the loreal; 35–39 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to less than 30 posteriorly; 10–12 upper labials; 159–167 ventrals; and a reverse color pattern on the venter (dark olive-gray with white spots). Homalopsis semizonata has a divided or fragmented loreal contacting upper labials 1–4 or 1–5; three prefrontals; one postocular and one postsubocular.</p><p>Description of the Holotype. A female, total length 457 mm, tail 112 mm. Rostral broader than tall, slightly visible from above, protrudes over mental scale; nasals very large, semi-divided; internasal divided; prefrontals large, make broad contact with loreal; frontal slightly fragmented, equal in length to parietals; large occipital present on right side only. Supraoculars quadrangular, wider than the frontal; preoculars 1/1; suboculars 3/4; postoculars 2/2; temporal formula 1+2/2+2; upper labials 12/12, 1–4 contact loreal; first horizontally divided upper labial number 7 (Fig. 8). Lower labials 17/19, first 3 contact first pair of chin shields, first divided labial is 10. Dorsal scales keeled, striated, and in 42–44–33 rows; 170 ventrals; 94 divided subcaudals, a few fused. Dorsal pattern of 24 pale colored bands bordered in black, about 1.5 to 2 scale rows wide, separated by dark brown blotches 4 to 5 scale rows wide; the bands go completely across the vertebral line at midbody first three dorsal rows lack the dorsal pattern, and are uniform yellow. Ventral surface of body uniform yellow-cream with dark lateral spot on outer edge of some ventrals; ventral surface of tail mottled with black and cream.</p><p>Variation in referred material. The following description is based upon a total of 68 specimens. The rostral is slightly visible from above; the nasals are in contact and divided or semi–divided; the internasal tends to be single in the Thailand and Cambodia populations and divided in the Vietnam populations, and it does not contact the loreal in any population; 2 prefrontals; loreal is elongated and single (with exception) and usually in contact with upper labials 1–4, occasionally 2–4; upper labials number 12–14, 6 usually under orbit, 7 usually the first divided upper labial; frontal longer, or equal to, parietals; temporal formula 1+2. Lower labials 14–19; 3 or 4 pairs chin shields; lower labials 1–3 or 1–4 contact anterior chin shields. Dorsal scales on anterior body 41–45; midbody 40– 49; post body 28–35 (usually 30–35). Ventrals number 160–176 (males 161–176, n=36, x =171.61, SD=3.36; females 160–178, n=36, x =167.97, SD=3.57). Subcaudals number 82–108 (males 82–108, n=33, x =95.79, SD=7.73; females 73–99, n=34, x =86.64, SD=5.49). Males sometimes have spiny keels on the first row of scales near the vent.</p><p>Color and pattern. Dark dorsal blotches and an eye stripe; a dorsal pattern of alternating wide dark botches separated by narrow, pale cream blotches, and a ventral surface that is uniform cream with paired spots on the edges of the ventrals make this snake readily recognizable. In alcohol these snakes hold their color remarkably well, and seem to only fade if they have been exposed to light for prolonged periods. The head, the nasals and internasal often have a dark blotch; a v-shaped blotch occurs on the frontal, across the parietals onto the smaller scales behind them. A black or brown mask-like band occurs from the preocular through the eye and extends to the corner of the mouth or the side of the neck where it may fuse with the first dark, dorsal blotch. On the body 20–28 brown transverse blotches 4–6 scale rows wide are separated by paler bands 1–2 scales wide; often these are outlined with black or dark brown pigment. Both dark and pale blotches are absent from the first 3–6 scale rows at midbody. Venter uniform white, cream, or yellow with paired brown or black spots on the outer edge of some ventrals. The underside of the tail is usually mottled. Juvenile patterns consist of strongly contrasting yellow or white bands with dark brown blotches, these lose contrast and pale crossbands become outlined with black with age, some old individuals faded with a more uniform brown-gray pattern. Some populations tend to be darker in color and melanistic.</p><p>Size and sexual dimorphism. Fifteen snakes in our sample with SVLs below 400 mm were considered subadults and were not included in the size comparisons. Adult male SVLs ranged from 404 to 914 mm (n=31, x = 654.81, SE=20.61) compared to adult female SVLs that ranged from 400 to 973 mm (n=26, x =626.58, SE=28.43). These differences in SVLs among males and females did not prove significant (F(1,55) = 0.67, P&gt;0.05). However, male tail lengths (n = 29, x = 223.72, SE = 7.02) proved to be significantly longer (F(1,52) = 20.24, P &lt;0.001) than female tail lengths (n = 25, x = 181.24, SE = 6.09). The SDI for this species is -1.045.</p><p>Homalopsis mereljcoxi displays strong sexual dimorphism in both the number of ventral scales and subcaudal scales. Males have both significantly more ventrals (males, n = 36, x = 171.61, SE = 0.56; females, n = 36, x = 167.97, SE = 0.60; F(1,70) = 19.83, P &lt;0.001) and more subcaudals (males, n = 33, x = 95.79, SE = 1.35; females, n = 34, x = 86.65, SE = 0.94; F(1,65) = 31.32, P &lt;0.001).</p><p>Distribution. Homalopsis mereljcoxi is known from lowland localities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. On the western edge of its known range it is found as far north as Bung Cho, Uttaradit Province, Phichai District (~12°N, 104°E), Thailand and as far south as Lake Songkhla (~7°N, 100°E), Thailand. In Vietnam it is found at least as far east as Can Tho Province (~10°N, 105°E) and as far south as Vinh Thuan District Town in Kien Giang Province (~9°N, 105°E). It is present in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, and it most likely occurs throughout the lower elevations of the Chao Phraya and Mekong drainages. It is possible, but unclear, if this species inhabits Myanmar. Gyi (1970) reports Myanmar Homalopsis with 39–43 middorsal scale rows, Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855 inhabits the area on both side of the Gulf of Martaban and the Ayeyarwady delta and it has 38-43 scale rows which overlap the range of scale rows for H. mereljcoxi .</p><p>Natural history. Many authors have discussed the natural history of this species (Saint Girons 1972; Brooks et al. 2007, 2010; Karns et al. 2005, 2010) under the name Homalopsis buccata . The morphology of this species agrees well with the Cambodia specimens described by Saint Girons (1972), however his data included ventral counts of 154–180, a range with some specimens below the lower end of the range observed in our sample. Cambodian specimens with ventral counts lower than 160 (unpublished data) likely belong to one or more cryptic species.</p><p>In Thailand, the habitat used by Homalopsis mereljcoxi includes small reservoirs, ditches, ponds, streams, and shallow wetlands (Karns et al. 2005; 2010). Snakes were primarily obtained from fishers’ gill nets, one specimen was hand collected from a pond at night while it floated near the surface in an ambush posture. Saint Girons (1972) described similar habitats in Cambodia: streams, rivers, irrigation canals, marshes, reservoirs and the banks of lakes and rivers; he also reports it in shallow water at night and describes it resting in burrows or crevices in the bank during the day, noting that specimens move very little while on land. Individuals released into shallow water escaped without hesitation, but placed in a river with steep banks, the snakes immediately sought refuge along the shore.</p><p>Karns et al. (2005, 2010) found Homalopsis mereljcoxi made up 3.59% of 668 aquatic snakes collected at seven locations in eastern Thailand; and 4.7% of 786 aquatic snakes from four locations in Thailand’s Central Plain. In a population depletion experiment at Tonle Sap, Brooks et al. (2007) found one specimen per 1718 m 2.</p><p>Saint Girons (1972) and Voris &amp; Murphy (2002) reported finding only fish in the gut of Homalopsis mereljcoxi . Karns et al. (2010) found 61.5% of males, and 37.5% of females contained food. One large female H. mereljcoxi (86.5 cm SVL, 477.4 g) contained an 82.6 g Tilapia sp. (17.3% of predator’s body weight), but other prey items were relatively much smaller. One male of 8 (12.5%) H. buccata contained two fish (families Cyprinidae and Cichlidae). Brooks et al. (2009) examined more than 700 specimens from Tonle Sap, Cambodia and found fish from five families ( Anabantidae 57%, Channidae 7.5%, Cyprinidae 2.5%, Mastacembilidae 3%, Osphronemidae 31%). Fish consumed are usually less than 10% of the predator’s mass (Brooks et al. 2009).</p><p>Reproduction of this species in Cambodia was commented upon by Saint Girons (1972), he reported a sexual cycle with spermatogenesis in July, spermatozoa present in August with simultaneous development of the sexual segment of kidney. In February, sperm and the sexual segment were in decline. Females start vitellogenesis in November and mating occurs in December or early January, ovulation takes place in February. Saint Girons found 6 females with 13 to 33 large ovarian follicles or recently ovulated eggs in February. Gestation lasts until May.</p><p>Karns et al. (2005) reported a 817 mm SVL, 650 g female with 17 near full term embryos (mean SVL 23.8 mm ±0,14, range = 23.2–25.0; mean mass = 11.3 g ±0.15, range = 10.0–12.3); total embryo mass without yolks was 191.5 g, a relative litter mass (RLM) of 29.0%.</p><p>Material examined. CAMBODIA: Kampong Chhnang Prov FMNH 259306, 259293; (floating Vietnamese fishing community, Tonle Sap River, Cambodia, near 12°16'08" N, 104°40'50" E), Siem Reap Province FMNH 257267, 259295, 257269–274 (Siem Reap town, Psa Kroam market, 13°20'46" N, 103°50'53" E), 259297–304 (Siem Reap town, Chong Khneas Port, Tonle Sap Lake). THAILAND: Bangkok UMMZ 65369(4), 65370(2), UMMZ 65371, 65372(2), 96276; FMNH 178378, Nakhon Ratchasima Province 180108 (Amphoe Pak Thong Chai, Sakaerat Exp Sta); Phattalung Prov FMNH 252520–522 (Thale Noi, 7°47'00" N, 100°7'30" E), Songkhla Province FMNH 252673–674, 252676–678, 252693, 252698, 252705, 257429–430 (Ban Tha Hin, 7°23'00" N, 100°25'00" E); No specific locality ANSP 5117, FMNH 579–580, 252514 (Bangkok, Market). VIETNAM: Kien Glang FMNH 259088 (Vinh Thuan District Town, 09°30'48" N, 105°15'32" E) 259089 (An Minh District Town, 09°38'52" N, 105°08'35" E), 259090-94 (U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve, 09°34'38" N, 105°04'00" E, &lt;10m); Vi Thanh ROM 37941–942 (Phung Hiep vicinity, purchased in local market). No data FMNH 11129, 11551.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFE9FFFBDC914753FAD1B276	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
C2337B59FFEAFFE5DC91471BFB19B105.text	C2337B59FFEAFFE5DC91471BFB19B105.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis nigroventralis Deuve 1970	<div><p>Homalopsis nigroventralis Deuve, 1970</p><p>Figs 2 d, 8d, 9</p><p>Homalopsis buccata — Taylor &amp; Elbel 1958: 1159; Taylor 1965: 923; Gyi 1970: 136. Homalopsis buccata nigroventralis Deuve, 1970 . Type Specimen: none, Deuve’s specimens presumed lost in a fire. Type locality: Ngum River Valley, Laos.</p><p>Homalopsis nigroventralis Stuart et al. 2006:149 .</p><p>Comment. Deuve (1970) described this snake from the Ngum River Valley, Laos and reported 35–39 scale rows at midbody, 152–164 ventrals and 75–94 subcaudals. The specimens examined here fall within these parameters, except for the subcaudal counts. Homalopsis nigroventralis may use a different habitat than other Homalopsis – streams with a moderate current, and sand and rock substrate as opposed to slow moving or stagnant water with mud substrates. Because we have not examined specimens from Laos we have not established a neotype or restricted the type locality. Photographs of this snake can be found in Taylor &amp; Elbel (1958: 1066) and Murphy (2007: 201-203). Field observations on this snake can be found in Deuve (1970), Stuart et al. (2006), and Bezuijen et al. (2009).</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis nigroventralis has upper labials 1–3 contacting the loreal; two prefrontals; 35–39 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or less; one or two postocular scales plus one postsubocular scale; 10–12 upper labials; 159–167 ventrals; and a reverse color pattern on the venter (dark olive-gray with white spots). Homalopsis buccata has upper labials 1–4 contacting the loreal; one postocular scale plus a postsubocular scale; a ventral pattern that is light with dark spots. Homalopsis hardwickii has a divided loreal contacting upper labials 1– 4; one postocular scale and no presubocular scale. Homalopsis semizonata has a divided or fragmented loreal contacting upper labials 1–4 or 1–5; three prefrontals; 39–44 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to more than 30 posteriorly; one postocular and one postsubocular. The new species, H. mereljcoxi has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; 40–47 scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or more posteriorly; 13 (12–14) upper labials; and ventral counts that are usually greater than 165.</p><p>Distribution. This species is known from the Mekong River in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Deuve (1970) reported it in the Ngum River Valley of Laos. Taylor &amp; Elbel (1958) describe specimens from Thailand’s Phan Phu Mountain, and Stuart et al. (2006) reported it from Siem Pang and Ta Veng in eastern Cambodia in bamboo mixed with evergreen forest between 100 and 170 m ASL. Two specimens were taken during the day, others were found in gill nets. The streams were described as having a moderate current, and a sand and rock substrate; one had a closed canopy, others were open and had grass lined banks. All of these localities are peripheral to the Mekong. However, Bezuijen et al. (2009) report it from the Mekong River in Kratie Province, Cambodia. They describe four specimens, one in a market, and three others at Koh Kapeung and Koh Khlap Islands, the largest was 104 cm in total length. One of these snakes was on a mud substrate.</p><p>Material Examined. CAMBODIA – Ta Veng FMNH 263029 (Virachey National Park, O Lopeung stream, 14°10'39.2" N, 107°17'25.1" E, 150 m); Siem Pang FMNH 263030 (Virachey National Park, O Kanome stream, 14°13'33.7" N, 106°36'16.0" E, 170 m), FMNH 2630301-32 (Virachey National Park, O Kanome stream, 14°15'08.0" N, 106°37'58.8" E, 175 m), FMNH 263033 (Virachey National Park, 14°12'53.8" N, 106°35'51.3" E, 100 m); Nong Khai FMNH 265801 (Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, Houay Sod waterfall, 18°15'51.4" N, 103°54'22.1" E, 160 m), MNHN 1988.2104; THAILAND – Phan Phu Mt. FMNH 179239, 117858-60.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFEAFFE5DC91471BFB19B105	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
C2337B59FFF4FFE7DC9144C0FDA9B3AB.text	C2337B59FFF4FFE7DC9144C0FDA9B3AB.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Homalopsis semizonata Blyth 1855	<div><p>Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855</p><p>Figs 2 e, 8d, 10</p><p>Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855: 187 . Type Locality: Mottama (formerly Martaban), Myanmar. Type Specimen: ZSI 8137, collected by Major Berdmore.</p><p>Pythonia semizonata Blyth, 1859: 279 .</p><p>Pythonella semizonata Carlleyle, 1869: 200 (lapsus for Pythonia).</p><p>Homalopsis buccata – Theobold 1868a: 58; 1868b: 66; Nicholson 1874: 62; Theobold 1876: 185; Boulenger 1887: 475; Sclater 1891: 53; Boulenger 1893: 309; 1896: 16; Wall &amp; Evans 1901: 616; Wall 1903: 94; Rooji 1917: 186; Wall 1923: 38; Hundley 1964: 22; Dowling &amp; Jenner 1988: 4; Murphy 2007: 193.</p><p>Distribution. Homalopsis semizonata is known from Kawkareik, Twante near Rangoon, and Mottama, Myanmar. This species may be more widespread than known specimens suggest. Its known distribution is centered on the Gulf of Martaban, but it may extend to the north following the Ayeyarwady River and to the south following the Andaman Sea’s coastal plain in southern Myanmar and along the Andaman coast of peninsular Thailand. Frith (1977) reported on two Homalopsis from Phuket, Thailand with 40 and 42 dorsal scale rows, and 159 and 162 ventrals ― scale counts within the range of H. semizonata which is found along the same coast, about 900 km to the north.</p><p>Diagnosis. Homalopsis semizonata has a divided or fragmented loreal contacting upper labials 1–4 or 1–5; three prefrontals; 39–44 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to more than 30 posteriorly; one postocular and one postsubocular. Homalopsis buccata has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1-4; two prefrontals; 33–40 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to less than 30 posteriorly; H. hardwickii has two prefrontal scales; 39 scale rows at midbody reduced to 28 posteriorly. Homalopsis nigroventralis has upper labials 1–3 contacting the loreal; two prefrontals; 35–39 dorsal scale rows at midbody, reduced to less than 30 posteriorly; one or two postocular scales plus one postsubocular scale; and a reverse color pattern on the venter (dark olive-gray with white spots). The new species, H. mereljcoxi has a single loreal contacting upper labials 1–4; two prefrontals; 40–47 scale rows at midbody, reduced to 30 or more posteriorly; two postocular scales plus a postsubocular.</p><p>Blyth’s original description of this snake is difficult to obtain. We have included it below followed by an updated description written by us.</p><p>Homalopsis semizonata, nobis. This is remarkably fine species has not of a little the aspect of Viper, from the small scales of its seize, the subdivision of its head plates, and the general colouring. Form moderately thick; the body with 39 rows of small strongly carinated scales. Vertical plate transversely divided into two; the anterior portion triangular, with apex to the front; the posterior semicircular and behind the latter is a remarkable range of five small plates, the medial being elongated backwards between the occipitals and posterior to this again is a minute inter-occipital: occipitals curiously scalloped each with three incisions; one posterior, one exterior, and one interior: two pairs of frontals; a freanal and a post-nasal. Colour pale yellowish-brown, marked on the upper-parts with about 36 semi annuli, which are of a blackish hue on the edges, paler within; on the hinder part of the body and tail are some black spots on the pale inter-spaces; and a medial black streak from the occiput it continued to the second transverse semi-annulus; a triangular black spot on the snout; also a blackish eye-streak; and a small spots on each occipital: lower-parts with two irregular rows of dark spots from throat to vent, bordering the scutae; and the sub-caudal scutellae are marked throughout with black. Number of scutae, 168; scutellae, 78 pairs. Length of specimen 27 in., of which tails is 6 in. It is remarkable that abdominal scute begin to divide obliquely as they approach the vent, the last two or three assuming the appreance of pairs of scutellae.</p><p>Redescription of the Holotype. A male, 562 mm SVL, 166 mm tail; the rostral is broader than tall; the nasals are in contact and semi-divided; a divided internasal makes narrow contact with the loreal on each side; three prefrontals, the most lateral contact the loreal; frontal is posteriorly fragmented; parietals about the same length as frontal; occipitals small; loreal divided on each side; preoculars 1/1, presuboculars 1/1, supraoculars 1/1, suboculars 2/2, postoculars 1/1, postsuboculars 1/1; primary temporals 1/1; upper labials 12/13, 1–5/1–5 contact loreal; 6 is under the orbit; lower labials 15/16, with 1–4/ 1–4 in contact with chin shields; 165 ventrals; subcaudals 78/79 paired subcaudals.</p><p>Description. Note that our scale counts for this species are based mostly on neonates and late-term embryos. These snakes were collected by K. K. Gyi and are less than 300 mm SVL. Scale count data for Myanmar (Burma) Homalopsis from Gyi (1970) overlap ours, they do not mirror ours. Thus his data may be based upon specimens from a different population, or may include a second species.</p><p>Rostral broader than tall; nasals in contact and semi-divided; a divided (rarely single) internasal makes narrow contact with the loreal on each side; three prefrontals, the most lateral contact the loreal; frontal is usually posteriorly fragmented; parietals about the same length as frontal; occipitals small; loreal is divided into 2–6 scales; 1/1 preocular, 1/1 supraocular, usually none or 1 subocular, 1/1 postocular; 1/1 postsubocular; 1/1 primary temporal; 12–15 upper labials, 1–4 or 1–5 contact loreal; sixth is under the orbit and occasionally in the orbit; first divided upper labial is the sixth; lower labials 15-20, with 1-3 (rarely 1–4) in contact with first chin shield; dorsal scale rows at the 10th ventral 40–44 (n = 36, x = 42.08, SD = 1.21), dorsal scale rows at midbody 39–44 (n = 36, x = 41.6, SD = 1.36), dorsal scale rows at post body 30–36 (n = 36, x = 32.05, SD = 1.56); ventrals in males 153–165 (n = 16, x = 158.3, SD = 3.14), ventrals in females 153–164 (n = 19, x = 157.5, SD = 3.21); subcaudals in males 78-90 (n = 14, x = 82.2, SD = 3.02), subcaudals in females 69–77 (n = 19, x = 74.45, SD = 2.37).</p><p>Material examined. MYANMAR – Kawkareik BMNH 1940.3.9.10, CAS 12392; Pegu, Twante, near Rangoon – KU 924362-394, Mottama – ZSI 8137.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/C2337B59FFF4FFE7DC9144C0FDA9B3AB	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Murphy, John C.;Voris, Harold K.;Traub, Joshua;Cumberbatch, Christina	Murphy, John C., Voris, Harold K., Traub, Joshua, Cumberbatch, Christina (2012): The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3208: 1-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209953
