Typhlops contorhinus new species (Figs. 8 I, 9F)

Holotype: MNHNCu 4552 (field tag number 191296), a male from 4.9 km S La Tinta, Guantánamo Province, Cuba, 5 meters elevation, collected on 29 June 1990 by Richard Thomas, S. Blair Hedges, Emilio Alfaro, and Daniel McCallister.

Diagnosis: A moderately large and slender species of the T. biminiensis group differing from all members of the species group in the Bahamas and Cuba in having a short rostral (Fig. 8), reflected in the high rostral indent (RI) value (Fig. 10 F), and a large preocular apical diameter (Fig. 10 C). The short rostral is also reflected in the width of the upper arm of the anterior nasal, which is relatively larger in T. contorhinus (ANT­ NAS/RW1 = 0.49) than other species in the group except T. notorachius and T. anousius . It further differs from T. biminiensis in having a rostral with an acuminate posterior edge, not broadly rounded, and a more slender body (TL/MBD 63 versus 39–51). It differs from T. biminiensis, T. arator, and T. perimychus in having a narrower rostral (Fig 10 A) that is relatively broad on the apex of the snout (Fig. 8). From T. perimychus, it also differs in being larger (316 mm versus 280 mm TL), having more middorsal scales (502 versus 453– 496), and a more slender body (TL/MBD 63 versus 41–59). In body shape, it is more slender (TL/MBD 63) than T. notorachius, T. anousius, and T. arator (Table 2). From T. anousius, it also differs in having scale row reduction at 31% TL rather than 2% TL. From T. arator, it further differs in having 24–22 scale rows rather than 26–24 rows and in having fewer middorsal scales (502 versus 578–579).

Description: Snout rounded, lobed. Rostral broad, nearly straight­sided in dorsal aspect, sides curving mesiad to apex (RW1/RL1 0.93), not flared on apex; moderate umbo; no labial flare. Anterior nasal width as a proportion of RW1 0.49. Upper wing of anterior nasals broad, preocular angle relatively small (98°), apex rounded; lower portion contacting labials 2 and 3 of upper labial series. OL 1/2 height, OS 0.24. Rostronasal pattern strongly divergent. Postocular very elongate by fusion (on each side) with a lower scale, extending well below bottom edge of ocular. First parietals relatively narrow and long (i.e., not transversely elongate), the width of two succeeding scale rows. Second parietals present and similar in size to the first. TL 316 mm. TL/TA 53. TL/MBD 63. Middorsal scales 502. Scale rows 24 reducing to 22 at 31% TL. Coloration bicolor with dorsal pigmentation (medium brown) ending abruptly along a midlateral or dorsolateral line by dropping out of pigmentation on individual scales, resulting in a jagged line of separation between pigmented and nonpigmented scales along almost all of the length; nine pigmented scale rows at midbody.

Distribution: Known only from the type locality, an otherwise xeric site along the Río Jauco in extreme eastern Cuba (Fig. 11).

Etymology: From the Greek, kontos, short, and rhinos, nose, an adjective meaning short­nosed.

The next new species having affinities with T. biminiensis occurs on the Maisi peninsula at the eastern end of Cuba. It may be known as