Colombophis spinosus Hsiou, Albino & Ferigolo, 2010

Alfonso-Rojas, Andrés, Vanegas, Rubén D., Mariño-Morejón, Elizabeth & Cadena, Edwin-Alberto, 2023, Newly discovered fossils provide novel insights on the biology of the South American Miocene snake Colombophis Hoffstetter & Rage, 1977, Geodiversitas 45 (13), pp. 377-399 : 382

Colombophis spinosus Hsiou, Albino & Ferigolo, 2010

( Fig. 6 )

Colombophis spinosus Hsiou, Albino & Ferigolo, 2010: 371 .

REVISED DIAGNOSIS. — Fossil snake with similar characteristics of C. portai but differs as most vertebrae are significantly shorter than high (pr-po <h), and shorter than wide (pr-po <pr-pr). The neural arch is wider than long (pr-po <naw). In addition, a well-developed neural spine is present, also restricted to the posterior margin of the neural arch, with an elliptical to triangular shape in dorsal view. The prezygapophyses are laterally oriented with well-developed process and the synapophyses present a weak division.

REFERRED MATERIAL. — VPPLT-0798, a mid-trunk vertebra ( Fig. 6C ); VPPLT-0864, a fragmentary mid-trunk vertebra; VPPLT-1093, eight associated mid-trunk vertebral fragments ( Fig. 6D ); VPPLT 1194, five associated mid-trunk vertebral fragments; VPPLT 1534 five unassociated vertebral fragments ( Fig. 6F ); VPPLT 1728, a mid-trunk vertebra ( Fig. 6A, B ); VPPLT-1741, four associated, anterior-trunk vertebrae ( Fig. 6E ).

Figures

FIG. 6. — Colombophis spinosus Hsiou, Albino & Ferigolo, 2010 from the Tatacoa Desert: A, B, VPPLT-1728; C, VPPLT-0798; D, VPPLT-1093; E, VPPLT-1741; F, VPPLT-1534. Views: 1, anterior; 2, dorsal; 3, lateral; 4, ventral, 5, posterior views. Scale bars: 10 mm.