Liophis torrenicola Donnelly et Myers 1991

Barrio-Amorós, César L. & Brewer-Carías, Charles, 2010, Venezuelan Guayana, with the description of five new species, Zootaxa 1942, pp. 1-68 : 52-53

Liophis torrenicola Donnelly et Myers 1991

Reinita acuática tepuyana

120 km NNE of Sarisariñama, based on two specimens. EBRG 4167 (field number L-1322) is a juvenile female of 187 + 37 mm. It has 17-17-15 dorsals, 170 ventrals, and 52 subcaudals. The coloration is as described for the paratopotype AMNH 136210 in Donnelly and Myers (1991), with a blackish head, a white collar and a dark brownish dorsum, with paravertebral whitish small spots. Laterally, there are triangular alternating brown and white bands. The venter is white with black checkering, less profuse than in AMNH 136210, and absent on the tail. All characters fall well in the diagnosis and description of the species by Donnelly and Myers (1991). The animal had in its digestive tract an undistinguishable mass, containing apparently some fish scales.

As shown in the RCTV documentary, the animal was swimming in a stream when captured. Liophis torrenicola was believed to be isolated at Guaiquinima ( Donnelly and Myers 1991). However, the species is present at least on two tepuis 130 km distant from each other and separated by the Río Caura basin. It is also present in Parima B (O. Fuentes, pers. comm.). We predict that L. torrenicola will be found on some other nearby tepuis, such as Jaua, Guanacoco, or Ichún.

Material examined. Liophis torrenicola .— VENEZUELA: Estado Bolívar, Guaiquinima tepui, AMNH 136210 (currently in MBUCV).