Redescription of Leptophis Cupreus (Cope) (Serpentes, Colubridae), a rare south American Colubrine Snake

Abstract

Leptophis cupreus is redescribed on the basis of 18 specimens, including the holotype. The species is characterized by having a uniformly copper-colored dorsum, which distinguishes it from all other known species of Leptophis. We present photographs of the holotype and a living specimen of L. cupreus, describe and illustrate the everted hemipenis, and plot its known distribution.

Keywords

• Leptophis cupreus
• holótipo
• distribuição
• hemipênis
• taxonomia