Revalidation of Herpetodryas reticulata (Peters, 1863) (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Ecuador

ABSTRACT. The name Herpetodryas reticulata Peters, 1863, is revalidated and assigned to the snakes of the genus Mastigodryas from the dry forests of central and southwestern Ecuador. Mastigodryas reticulatus (Peters, 1863) is characterized by the presence of a striped dorsal pattern, with the upper light lateral stripe formed by two scale rows (4 and 5); dorsal scales with dark apical edges; a light, immaculate throat and venter; a higher number of ventral scales; an elongate and nude region on the base of the hemipenis; and thin, enlarged spines located lateral to the sulcus spermaticus on the distal region of the body of the hemipenis. This species is a member of the M. boddaerti Group, along with M. boddaerti and M. heathii.

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