One specimen is represented only by the head; the snake was killed on
the forest floor by workmen. Another individual was found in a pool of
water at the base of a limestone outcropping in the forest; this
specimen (KU 58167) is a female having a body length of 2220 mm. and a
total length of 2634 mm. This snake contained 22 ova averaging 56 x 23
mm. Both specimens were uniform shiny black above and cream-color below.
The local name is _sumbadora_.
=Coniophanes bipunctatus bipunctatus= (Guenther)
Chinaja, 1.
This snake was found on the forest floor by day; it is a male having 130
ventrals, an incomplete tail; cream-colored belly, and a pair of large
brown spots on each ventral scute.
=Coniophanes fissidens fissidens= (Guenther)
Toocog, 1.
This male specimen was found beneath a rock in a sink hole. It has 122
ventrals and 77 caudals. A narrow temporal stripe extends along the
upper edge of the anterior temporal and the lower edge of the upper
secondary temporal. The belly is ashy white with a pair of small black
spots on each ventral.
=Coniophanes imperialis clavatus= (Peters)
Chinaja, 3.
All specimens were found on the forest floor by day. These small snakes
are capable of rapid movement and quickly disappear in the litter on the
ground. Two individuals evaded capture. The belly is creamy white
anteriorly and vermillion red posteriorly.
=Dryadophis melanolomus laevis= (Fischer)
Chinaja, 3.
These snakes, locally known as _sumbadora_, were found on the forest
floor; two others were seen, but escaped. The variation in coloration
has been a source of confusion in this species in northern Central
America (see Stuart, 1941:86). All of the present specimens are males:
KU 55709 has 178 ventrals, 121 caudals, and a total length of 914 mm.;
the dorsum is olive-tan with six darker cross-bars on the neck; the
belly is creamy white. KU 58160 has 188 ventrals, 123 caudals, and a
total length of 1365 mm.; the dorsum is uniform olive-brown, except that
some dorsal scales at midbody have black anterior borders like _D.
melanolomus melanolomus_ has in the Yucatan Peninsula; the venter is
pale yellow. KU 58158 has 179 ventrals, 122 caudals, and a total length
of 723 mm.; the dorsum is rich chocolate brown with eight dark
cross-bars on the neck; the belly is bright orange.
Stuart (1941a:87) stated that in life two distinct color phases were
observed in specimens collected by him in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. One
had an olive-brown dorsum and the other, a reddish orange dorsum.
Stuart made no mention of variation in the color of the venter. Similar
variation is known in _D. melanolomus alternatus_ in Costa Rica, where
some individuals have orange-red venters. This color phase has been
recognized as a distinct species, _Dryadophis sanguiventris_, by Taylor
(1954:722). Examination of 18 specimens from Costa Rica shows no
differences in scutellation, nor geographic segregation of two
populations. I am convinced that the red-bellied _Dryadophis_ in Costa
Rica, like those in Guatemala, represent a color phase of the subspecies
inhabiting those areas and that _Dryadophis sanguiventris_ Taylor is a
synonym of _Dryadophis melanolomus alternatus_ (Bocourt).
=Drymarchon corais melanurus= (Dumeril, Bibron and Dumeril)