A new locality for the rare Guerreran Centipede Snake, Tantilla coronadoi Hartweg, 1944 (Squamata, Colubridae), with comments on morphological variation

Abstract

We record the third known specimen of Tantilla coronadoi Hartweg, 1944 from Guerrero, Mexico. Our new record extends this species’ distribution by 90 km and to a new Mexican biogeographic province (Balsas Basin). The morphological similarity between this and the two previously known specimens supports the validity of the taxon, and otherwise points to the possible presence of an undescribed taxon on the coast of Guerrero. Additional fieldwork yielding a larger series of this and other infrequently encountered species may enable a better understanding of their distribution, natural history, ecology, and conservation.

Keywords

• Guerrero
• Balsas Basin
• morphological description