Tantilla taeniata, (Bocourt)

McCranie, James R. & Smith, Eric N., 2017, A Review of the Tantilla taeniata Species Group (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae: Colubrinae) in Honduras, with the Description of Three New Species, Herpetologica 73 (4), pp. 338-348 : 347

KEY TO THE HONDURAN SPECIES OF THE TANTILLA TAENIATA SPECIES GROUP AND THE GUATEMALAN SPECIES T. TAENIATA ( AS RESTRICTED TO SOUTHEASTERN GUATEMALA BY CAMPBELL 1998 AND HEREIN)

1. A. Pale vertebral stripe confined to vertebral row throughout its length; maximum known total length more than 500 mm ..................................... T. impensa

B. Pale vertebral stripe variable; maximum known total length less than 450 mm ............................................. 2

2. A. Pale vertebral stripe reduced to series of dashes confined to middle of vertebral row .......... T. olŋmpia

B. Pale vertebral stripe complete, restricted to vertebral row, or extending onto edges of paravertebral rows ................................................................................... 3

3. A. Pale vertebral stripe confined to vertebral scale row on at least anterior half of body.......... T. stenigrammi

B. Pale vertebral stripe extending onto edges of paravertebral scale rows throughout its length ................ 4

4. A. Ventral surfaces some shade of red............................ 5

B. Ventral surfaces yellow or white ................................ 6

5. A. Ventrals 141–152 in males, 150 in known female....... ....................................................................... T. taeniata

B. Ventrals 153–163 in males, 154–161 in females ......... ....................................................................... T. psittaca

6. A. Pale nuchal collar divided; ventrals 157 in one male, 155–161 in two females; máximum known total length 273 mm .................................................... T. tritaeniata

B. Pale nuchal collar complete; ventrals variable; máximum known total length more than 300 mm ........... 7

7. A. Ventrals 169 in one male, 161–178 in two females .... ......................................................................... T. excelsa

B. Ventrals 142–158 in both sexes combined .... T. gottei