Cranial anatomy of the "round-headed" Amphisbaenian Zygaspis quadrifrons (Squamata, Amphisbaenia) based on high-resolution x-ray computed tomography.

Amphisbaenians are a poorly understood clade of fossorial lizards. Because of their derived anatomy and relative scarcity, the systematics of the clade and its placement within squamates has long been controversial. Traditional approaches grouped species into four assemblages according to burrowing behavior and cranial morphology, resulting in the recognition of "shovel-headed," "round-headed," "keel-headed," and "spade-headed" morphotypes. Recent phylogenetic analyses do not support the monophyly of the taxa that share those morphotypes. Detailed analyses of cranial osteology were previously accomplished using high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) for the "shovel-headed" Rhineura hatcherii (Rhineruidae) and the "spade-headed" Diplometopon zarudnyi (Trogonophidae). A detailed description of the "round-headed" Amphisbaena alba was previously completed based upon traditional "dry" skeletal specimens. Seven species of the "round-headed" Blanus (Blanidae) were also analyzed using HRXCT. The goal of that project was a comparative analysis of all extant species of Blanus rather than a detailed, bone-by-bone description of one species, but certainly is useful for comparison with another "round-headed" taxon. The "round-headed" morphotype is by far the most common among amphisbaenians and is much in need of further documentation. We use HRXCT imagery to provide additional data about the disparity in cranial morphology among amphisbaenians. Those data allow us to provide another detailed description of a "round-headed" amphisbaenian, the poorly known southern African species Zygaspis quadrifrons. HRXCT is ideal for this relatively rare and diminutive species. We are able to visualize and describe a detailed reconstruction of the entire skull as well as individual cranial elements. Comparisons with other species that were described in similar detail-D. zarudnyi, Spathorhynchus fossorium, R. hatcherii, and A. alba-and to a lesser degree with Blanus, reveal a complex mosaic of morphological features of the skull in Zygaspis. Preliminary data suggest that intraspecific variation is present within Z. quadrifrons, and interspecific variation among other species of Zygaspis may be sufficient for species-level recognition based on cranial osteology. Our description is, therefore, also intended to serve as a baseline for comparative analysis of other specimens of Z. quadrifrons and of other species within the genus.

A new species of Oligodon H. Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Squamata: Colubridae) from Hainan Island, China.

A new species of the kukri snake genus Oligodon H. Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 is described based on two specimens collected from Shangxi Nature Reserve, Hainan Island, China. Oligodon bivirgatus sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of having 15/15/15 dorsal scale rows, eight maxillary teeth, divided nasal, 3 temporals (1+2), 7 supralabials and 7 infralabials; divided anal plate; reddish-brown dorsum with two distinct dark stripes, and reddish ventral surface (in life) with irregular dark blotches on edge cream. This is the first new Oligodon species described from a type-locality in Hainan Island of China.

A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil.

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

Rising from the ashes: resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and F. voeltzkowi (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae), based on micro-CT scans and external morphology.

The taxonomy of the Malagasy chameleon Furcifer rhinoceratus (Gray, 1845) is poorly resolved. The aim of this study is to clarify the taxonomic status of Chamaeleon voeltzkowi Boettger, 1893 and Chamaeleon monoceras Boettger, 1913 both only known from single or very few specimens mostly collected more than 100 years ago and currently considered as synonyms of Furcifer rhinoceratus. Using osteological data from micro-X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) combined with traditional morphological characters and morphometrics we resurrect both taxa from the synonymy of F. rhinoceratus as F. voeltzkowi and F. monoceras, respectively. Compared to F. rhinoceratus, F. monoceras is smaller, has a relatively shorter tail, a longer and thinner rostral appendage, a poorly developed gular crest and no ventral crest, whereas F. voeltzkowi has a smaller rostral appendage, higher casque and the dorsal crest is continuous with the tail crest. Compared to the broad rostral appendage formed by the anterior protuberance of the premaxillary process of the maxilla, which has serrated edges in F. rhinoceratus, F. monoceras presents a long rostral appendage with a smooth dorsal edge that progressively narrows, and the nasal aperture is extended along the elongated appendage; F. voeltzkowi presents a smaller but curved rostral appendage with a crenate edge. The prefrontal and postorbitofrontal approach one another forming a large, laterally closed supraorbital fontanelle in F. rhinoceratus while in F. monoceras they do not approach, leaving a laterally open fontanelle, and in F. voeltzkowi the fontanelle is diminutive. Furcifer voeltzkowi also differs from the similar F. labordi by a smaller size of the rostral appendage, less bulging casque and body pholidosis. The former exhibits a conspicuous white lateral band comprising heterogeneous scalation. Furcifer labordi, on the other hand, has a homogeneous scalation with a remarkable reticulate pattern. Osteologically, the shape of the prefrontal and the connection of the postorbitofrontal with the parietal also differ greatly between the two. Using micro-CT scans we detected key differences that would be otherwise impossible to determine. We also provide a brief morphological and osteological description of the species and strongly recommend efforts to rediscover these two poorly known taxa in order to enable additional studies and to assess their conservation status.

A new species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.