Oligodon modestus Günther, 1864

Leviton, Alan E., Siler, Cameron D., Weinell, Jeffrey L. & Brown, Rafe M., 2018, Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Oxford, England) 64 (14), pp. 399-568 : 442

Oligodon modestus Günther, 1864

Spotted-bellied Short-headed Snake; West Visayan Kukri Snake

Oligodon modestus Günther, 1864:210 .— Wallach, Williams, and Boundy, 2014:490.

Oligodon modestum, Taylor, 1922a:147 , pl. 13, figs. 3–5 .— Leviton, 1963a:473.— Ferner, Brown, Sison, and Kennedy, 2001:53 [20].— Gaulke, 2001:28, figs. 5–6; 2011:296–297, figs. 199– 201.— Siler, Swab, Oliveros, Diesmos, Averia, Alcala, and Brown, 2012:456.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S).— Philippines; restricted to Negros Oriental Prov., Negros Id., Philippine Ids., by Leviton (1963a:474). Holotype: BMNH 1946.1.5.54 .

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION (ENDEMIC) ( Map 28A [p. 139]).— Luzon (Prov.: Manila), Mindanao (Prov.: Surigao del Sur), Negros (Prov.: Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental), Panay (Prov.: Aklan, Antique), Tablas.

REMARKS.— We believe that the Luzon and Mindanao records are in error and that the specimens supposedly collected at these locations were not carefully examined or there was a mixup of locality data accompanying the specimens (see comment by Leviton [1963a:474, footnote]). Inasmuch as the type specimen came from Negros Island, it is highly probable that this species is restricted to the West Visayan Island PAIC group, which includes Negros, Panay and Tablas islands, from which specimens have been collected and examined by one or more of the current authors.

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN].— The conservation status of Oligodon modestus has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List [2016] ver. 3.1, but IUCN notes that it is listed in the Catalogue of Life.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Malayotyphlops ruficaudus (Camarines Sur Prov., Luzon Id.) (TNHC 62474). Photo © RMB.

FIGURE 4. Malayotyphlops cf. ruficaudus (Cagayan Prov., Calayan Id.) (KU 323931). Photo © RMB.