Chrysopelea paradisi Boie, 1827

Chandramouli, S. R., 2022, Snake fauna of the Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal-A review of species richness taxonomy, distribution, natural history and conservation status, Zootaxa 5209 (3), pp. 301-331 : 310

Chrysopelea paradisi Boie, 1827

( Fig. 7C , 11D )

Material studied: Two adults, BNHS 2865, BNHS 2875 ( Fig. 3H ), from Narcondam Island.

Morphology: Dorsal scales smooth, in 16–17:17:13 rows; ventrals 221–229; subcaudals 124, divided; anal divided; supralabials 9 (4–6 entering orbit); preocular 1; postoculars 2; temporals 2+2. Overall colouration black with green spots in each scale and red spots on dorsal scales. Venter uniform pale green.

Distribution: A diurnal non-endemic species restricted to Narcondam Island in the Andaman archipelago. Not found in any other island within the main Andaman chain of islands.

Remarks: The two specimens specified here were collected by the police personnel and reported during an expedition to Narcondam by Humayun Abdulali of the BNHS in early 1969-70 ( Abdulali, 1971) that were recently dealt with by Chandramouli and Adhikari (2022). A fairly recent survey on this island has not recorded this species (Raman et al., 2013). It is widespread in other parts of Southeast Asia ( Whitaker and Captain, 2004) and absent on other islands of the Andaman archipelago.

Status: Rare.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Specimens studied: (A) Indotyphlops braminus (CIARI uncat.), (B) Gerrhopilus andamanensis (NMW 15427), (C) Acrochordus granulatus (CSPT/S-75), (D) Fowlea tytleri (CIARI uncat.), (E) Lycodon hypsirhinoides (ZSI 8145, inset: CIARI uncat.), (F) Dendrelaphis andamanensis (CIARI uncat.), (G) Boiga andamanensis (CIARI uncat.), (H) Chrysopelea paradisi (photo: O.D. Adhikari)

FIGURE 7. (A & B) Adult (Long Island) and juvenile (South Andaman) Boiga andamanensis, (C) Chrysopelea paradisi (Narcondm, photo:Andaman Police Dept.) (D) Ptyas mucosa (Long Island), (E) Coelognathus flavolineatus (South Andaman), (F) Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Middle Andaman, photo: S. Basu) and (G) Cerberus rynchops (South Andaman)

FIGURE 11. Locality records of (A): Indotyphlops braminus and Argyrophis oatesii (B) Gerarda prevostiana, Acrochordus granulatus, Cerberus rynchops and Cantoria violacea (C) Fowlea tytleri and Lycodon hypsirhinoides (D) Dendrelaphis andamanensis and Chrysopelea paradisi