A New Species in the Geophis dubius Group (Squamata: Colubridae) from Northern Puebla, México (original) (raw)

A new species of the colubrid genus Geophis from northern Puebla, Mexico, is described. The new species possesses most of the diagnostic characters of the G. dubius group but differs from all other species of Geophis by having the loreal shorter than the combined prenasal and postnasal length, one postocular scale, one supraocular scale, the fifth supralabial and parietal in contact, dorsal scales in 17 rows, dorsal scales smooth throughout the length of the body or, if keeled, not anteriorly to the posterior fourth of the body, 129-140 ventrals in females and 125-139 in males, 26-31 subcaudals in females and 34-39 in males, 159-170 ventrals plus subcaudals in females and 161-174 in males, 9 maxillary teeth, anterior tip of the maxilla toothless, an overall dark dorsum, a predominantly cream venter, and a short tail in males. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences of the cytochrome b and tRNA Trn genes, including representatives of the new species, G. carinosus, G. dubius, and G. juarezi supported the distinctness of the new species.