Waite’s blind snakes (Squamata: Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae): identification of sources and correction or errors

Abstract

The majority of the 542 typhlopid specimens examined by Edgar Waite for his 1918 monograph of the family are identified, and their current status discussed. Most Waite records that do not correspond with the distribution based on modern records are shown to be in error, involving either misidentifications, misreadings of localities, or transposition of data. A few remaining problematic records are considered dubious due to a lack of supporting data.Ramphotyphlops batillus (Waite, 1894), known only from the holotype from Wagga Wagga, NSW, is restored to the Australian fauna, and new data on the type are provided.Probable paratypes for Typhlops grypus (SAM R849; QM J2947), T. proximus (AM R615, R145401-07, SAM R915) and T. subocularis (AM R2169) are identified. New data on dorsal scale counts are provided for Ramphotyphlops leucoproctus (377-394), R. polygrammicus (370-422), R. proximus (326-392), R. wiedii (381-439) and R. yirrikalae (447-450).