Conopsis amphisticha
SIERRA MIXE GROUND SNAKE
Conopsis amphisticha - Smith & Laufe 1945
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
Conopsis amphisticha is known only from the Sierra Mixe, Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s known elevational distribution is from 1700-3080 m.
HABITAT:
This species is found in pine, oak and cloud forest in the Sierra Mixe. It is probably most common in or along the edges of clearings and meadows. Like other Conopsis it is most often encountered beneath surface objects such as rocks, logs and trash.
NATURAL HISTORY:
Like other members of the Genus Conopsis, this fossorial snake is probably a common inhabitant throughout it’s geographic range. It is probably diurnal, and seasonally nocturnal but is rarely found abroad during daylight hours. Prey items are likely invertebrates and lizards (particularly the Genus Eumeces). Small frogs (such as Eleutherodactylus) and young rodents may also be consumed. C. amphisticha appears to be most active during the summer rainy season (June-September).This species is Ovoviviparous, and probably gives birth to a small litter during the summer rainy season (July/August).
TAXONOMY:
Goyenechea & Flores-Villela (2006) synonomized the Genus Toluca with Conopsis.
TYPE:
Described as Toluca amphisticha by Smith & Laufe (1945). Holotype: USNM 120950. Type-locality: Xuimygopk, between Ayutla and Cacalotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico.
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
While the geographical distribution of this species may be limited, it is probably extremely common within it’s range and able to persist in human-modified environs. It is unlikely this species is declining, or will do so in the near future.
REFERENCES:
Goyenechea, I., and Flores-Villela, O. (2006) Taxonomic summary of Conopsis, Gunther, 1858 (Serpentes: Colubridae). Zootaxa 1271:1-27.
Smith, H. M., and Laufe, L. E. (1945) Notes on a herpetological collection from Oaxaca. Herpetologica (3):19.