Systematics of platyceps brevis (boulenger 1895) and related east african racers (serpentes colubrinae)

Abstract

External morphology, dentition, and hemipenis characters were examined in three East African species, viz. Platyceps brevis (Boulenger 1895), Coluber (sensu lato) messanai Schätti & Lanza 1989, and C. (s.l.) somalicus (Boulenger 1896). The last two are known only from their holotypes collected in the Nogal Valley (Somalia) and the Audo Mountains (Ethiopia). They are valid species here referred to Platyceps Blyth 1860 and tentatively assigned to the florulentus group of species. Zamenis smithi Boulenger 1895 represents a southwestern subspecies of P. brevis. These taxa intergrade between the lower courses of the Shebele and Juba rivers. The population from Coiama Island (southern Somalia) is, for the moment, assigned to the nominate subspecies. Zamenis tripraeocularis Werner 1925 and Z. boschisi Scortecci 1930 are junior synonyms of P. b. brevis. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.