Perce NT I Se ay HP ae | oe ¥ = w= Ee DSS RSI OF — —— BA NONI, API N HENS COSTA RICA. wae errr neon Seaman Henan ereem, PD. COPE. (Agen ee ae oeee etree y i Ny — ) BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA™ EYEE GaNZ WEN — (pi at. We ee ayo Ny, ) Nee "be NI BE 5 uk * ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. WITH NOLES ON THE HERPRTOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY OF NICARAGUA AND PERU. — eee { ; EXTRACTED FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. y f PHILADELPHIA: : ha Velho j 5 ; pier af teen Wieden ist pe ae PUBLICATIONS THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES PHILADELPHIA. Seven volumes of the New Series of the Journat (Quarto), and Vol. VIII., Parts I. and II., have been issued—1847 to 1876. The price per volume of four parts is $10, or $3 per part, to sub- scribers ; and to others, $12.50 per volume, or $3.75 per part. Vol. VII. contains “The Extinct Mammalian Fauna of Dakota and Nebraska, with a Synopsis of the Mammalian Remains of North America.” Illustrated with thirty plates. 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Costa Rica, the most southern of the: states of Central America, lies between eight and eleven degrees of north latitude, and presents great inequalities of surface. Its length is traversed from northwest to southeast by the range of the Cordilleras, which rise in their highest point, the Pico Blanco, in the southern part of the republic, to an elevation of 11,800 feet. In the middle of the country the range forms the western border of a plateau whose elevation is about 5000 feet, and whose eastern rim is marked by a chain of volcanoes. The principal rivers of the country, which flow into both oceans, take their rise in this plateau. Here also the more important part of the population dwells in the two towns of San José and Cartago. The climates of the eastern and western regions present material differences. The eastern slope of the country receives the trade-winds loaded with the moisture and clouds derived from the evaporation of the Caribbean Sea under a tropical sun. Constant rain falls on the mountain sides, and the rivers flowing into the Caribbean Sea are remarkable for the volume of water they contain as compared with the length of their courses. The climate of the country west of the mountains is much drier, but not so much so as to constitute aridity. The entire republic, but especially the eastern region, is covered with a dense tropical vegetation. Dr. Wm. M. Gabb, from whose explorations much of my information is derived, has discovered that the major part of the rocks of the country are of miocene age, and that the elevation of the Cordilleras took place after the close of that period of geologic time. ‘The volcanoes bounding the plateau on the east are of later age. The material on which the present investigations are based consists chiefly of two collections. One made by Dr. Van Patten of San José was derived from the country in the neighborhood of that city. The larger collection, made by Dr. Wm. M. Gabb of Philadelphia, under the auspices of the government of Costa Rica, was obtained in the southern portion of the region of Costa Rica which lies east of the elevated mountain range which traverses that country, and at different elevations on the range itself. According to Mr. Gabb, the most elevated point, the Pico Blanco, in the southern part of the State, rises to the height of 11,800 24 (93) 94 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. feet above the sea. ‘The coast region includes a wide belt of swamps, and then gradually rises to a height of two hundred feet at fifteen miles inland. From this point the surface rises rapidly, so that at twenty-five miles the elevation is 2500 feet above the sea. ‘The vegetation of the entire region is exceedingly dense. At an elevation of from 5000 to 7000 feet is the region of greatest precipitation ; rain falls here, according to Mr. Gabb, on more than two hundred days of the year, and heavy fogs are of daily occurrence. The surface is often covered with a deep layer of moss, and swamps abound. ‘There is no belt of pines, as in Mexico, but the extreme summits of the peaks are covered with a sparse vegetation con- sisting chiefly of an Artemisia much like that of the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, with whortleberries, a bamboo-like grass, a stunted tree fern, and scattered tufts of grass. The collections were made at Limon and Old Harbor, on the coast, and from the latter locality inland to the foot of the Pico Blanco, and thence to its summit. The principal inland stations were Sipurio, fifteen miles from the coast, elevated 200 feet, and Uren, twenty-five miles, elevated 2500 feet. Opportunity being thus offered for determining their hypsometrical distribution, I give the following lists of species which occur at different elevations. ‘Thus certain species do not occur further inland than ten miles from the coast; these are: Dendrobates typo- graphus ; D. tinctorius auratus ; D. talamance. Bufo auritus is a coast species. From Sipurio we have nearly all the snakes and lizards, and the following Batra- chia: Hyla gabbii, H. uranochroa, and H. eleochroa; Bufo hematiticus. From between this point and Old Harbor came Mocoa assata and Opheobatrachus ver- micularis. From Uren, Cranopsis fastidiosus and Trypheropsis chrysoprasinus. From higher points on the Pico Blanco, chiefly in the rainy zone, at from 5000 to 7000 feet, we have the following list :— BATRACHIA. Lithodytes habenatus, Cope. Opheobatrachus vermicularis, Gray. Lithodytes melanostictus, Cope. (Edipus morio, Cope Lithodytes megacephalus, Cope. ‘ : Crepidius epioticus, Cope. LETS (MOSHE, OO Ollotis cerulescens, Cope. JEigliotles Garesines, Coyne: Atelopus varius, Stann. Ranula brevipalmata, Cope. Hyla nigripes, Cope. OPHIDIA. Hyla punctariola, Peters. Catostoma psephotum, Cope. Phyllobates hyleformis, Cope. -Contia calligaster, Cope. Lithodytes podiciferus, Cope. Bothriechis nigroviridis, Peters. Lithodytes muricinus, Cope. Sixteen species of Batrachia, three of Ophidia, and none of the other orders. On ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 95 the summit of the Pico Blanco Mr. Gabb obtained the Gerrhonotus fulvus of Bocourt, the only lizard obtained from above the base of the mountains, and the extreme southern point of distribution of the genus Gerrhonotus, so far as yet known. It is worthy of remark that the elevated regions between 2500 and 7000 feet are the habitat of four genera with rudimentary auditory apparatus, while but one (Atelopus) presenting that character was discovered by Mr. Gabb in the lower country. Three of the four genera of frogs with imperfect organs of hearing known from South America, viz.: Alsodes, Phrynobatrachus, and Telmatobius, are also from mountainous regions. The Aguacate Mountains to the west of the plateau furnished a species of lizard to the collection, the Chalcidolepis metallicus. The collection obtained by Mr. Gabb embraces eighty-nine species, viz.: Testudinata, 5; Lacertilia, 19; Ophidia, 35; and Batrachia, 30. The number of species not previously known to science is thirty-seven. A report on a collection made by Dr. Van Patten in the valley of central Costa Rica was published by the writer in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy for 1871, p. 204, which included forty-six species. Of these twenty-six do not occur in Mr. Gabb’s collec- tion. The names of these species are as follows :— BATRACHIA. Colosteus rhodogaster, Cope. Agalychnis moreletii, Dum. Ninia atrata, Hallow. Smilisca baudinii, Dum. Bibr. LACERTILIA. Phyllodactylus. Cyclura acanthura, Wiegm. Sceloporus malachiticus, Cope. Anolis hoffmannit, Peters. Anolis nannodes, Cope. Anolis insignis, Cope. Anolis microtus, Cope. OPHIDIA. Epicrates cenchria, L. Colobognathus dolichocephalus, Cope. Colobognathus brachycephalus, Cope. Colobognathus hoffmannii, Peters. Colobognathus nasalis, Cope. Ninia sebe, D. B.; maculata, Pet. Tantilla melanocephala, L. Rhadinexa serperaster, Cope. Conophis lineatus, Dum. Bibr. Liophis epinephelus, Cope. Herpetodryas carinatus, L. Drymobius margaritiferus, Schl, Dipsas gemmistratus, Cope. Thrasops mexicanus, D. B. Dryiophis brevirostris, Cope. Pelamis bicolor, Daud. laps nwuitifasciatus, Jan. Llaps ornatissimus, Jan. Llaps nigrocinctus, Gird. Bothriechis affinis, Bec. Crotalus durissus, L. A number of species, chiefly batrachians, have been sent to the Smithsonian Institution by C. N. Riotte, which are of considerable interest, In addition to the collections sent to the United States, others have been sent to Europe, and 96 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. have been the objects of study by M. Bocourt of Paris, Peters of Berlin, Giinther of London, and Keferstein of Gittingen. The explorers who have furnished the material to these herpetologists have been Messrs. Hoffmann, Salvin, and Seebach. The total number of species known from the investigations, now amounts to one hundred and thirty-two. But many species have been described from the adjoining states of Nicaragua and Chiriqui, and from Veragua, adjoining the latter, of which many will be found to enter Costa Rica also. Thus it is evident that this region is very rich in terrestrial cold-blooded vertebrata. The State of Costa Rica is about equal in extent to that of South Carolina. BATRACHIA. GYMNOPHIONA. 1. SIPHONOPS MEXICANUS, Dum. Bibr., viii. 284. From the forest country near the coast at Limon. URODELA. 2. OPHEOBATRACHUS VERMICULARIS, Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1868, 297. CMdipina uniformis, Keferstein, Archiv. ftir Naturgesch., 1868, 299. Three specimens, one from the Pico Blanco, at 6000 feet elevation, of large size, measuring m. .162 in length. The cranium of this one is completely ossified above, but the choane are not isolated, but open into the orbit by a wide fissure. The two other specimens are from the lower country, twenty miles from the coast. 3. @ipreus Mor1o? Cope, Proc. Academy Philadelphia, 1869, p. 103. A partly preserved specimen from the eastern slope of the Pico Blanco. ANURA. BUFONIFORMIA. 4, CRANOPSIS FASTIDIOSUS, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Bufonidarum. Char, Gen.—No ostia-pharyngea nor tympanum; no vomerine teeth. Cranial integument entirely occupied by a rugose ossification; parotoid glands present. Fingers and toes distinct, the latter palmate. This genus is Peltaphryne, Cope, with the auditory apparatus wanting. Char. spec.—Size of the Bufo lentiginosus. The head wide, not depressed, the cranial ridges consisting of elevated canthus rostralis, supra- and post-orbital border and a supra-tympanic crest extending to the parotoid gland. ‘These, especially the last, are obtusely thickened. ‘The supra-tympanic crest is produced downwards ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RIGA. 97 behind the orbit as a rugose osseous plate to opposite the inferior border of the pupil of the eye, bounding the position usually occupied by the membranum tympani by a rough concave margin. The canthus rostrales are short and inclose a groove between them ; the loreal and labial regions are rugose with small tubercles. The profile of the muzzle descends abruptly to the lip, which it does not overhang. The nostrils are as far removed from each other as each one is from the orbit, The posterior outline of the cranial ossification is squarely truncate in adults. The parotoid glands are short, subtriangular, sublateral, and as deep as long. They are not continued into a fold. The upper surfaces of the body and limbs are studded with round warts, so closely on the latter region as to resemble a pustular disease. A row of larger tubercles extends from the parotoid gland to the axilla, The inferior surfaces support numerous smaller tubercles, The fingers are short and free, and the palmar tubercles are very obtuse. There are neither tarsal folds nor tubercles, those of the sole being very obscure. Toes half-webbed. The end of the longest toe reaches the end of the muzzle when the limb is extended, and the longest finger reaches the vent. The color above is yellowish-brown; below, dirty brown. A blackish band extends from the parotoid to the axilla, the color not affecting the apices of the tubercles in its course, and sometimes extending to the abdomen. Throat with a black spot; top of head yellow or brownish-yellow. M. Length of head and body . ‘ . : . : : . 068 san eCONON Dita 3 ; : é 5 ‘ ; . 005 “to posterior border of cranium : 6 : : 5 LONG “to axilla : : : 5 : ; : : 025 =) off fore limb). i : 6 : : : : . 035 “ of hand é , : : : : : : 2 ONS “of hind limb . 3 5 : : 5 : 5 - .060 Ol hind tooteuyass.. s : j : 5 : . .035 Several specimens from 2500 feet elevation on the slope of the Pico Blanco, in the district of Uren. 5. CREPIDIUS EPIOTICUS, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Bufonidarum. Char. Gen.—No ostia-pharyngea, membranum tympani, nor vomerine teeth ; parotoid gland present. Cephalic derm not occupied by ossification. The diets of all the feet inclosed in the skin, leaving the longest median toe projecting inner digits of both feet rudimental. In this new genus the structure is much as in Atelopus, resembling also, but in 25 98 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. less degree, the genus Oedipus of the salamanders. In other respects the form is that of Ollotis, Cope. Char. Specif.—Size medium; cranial crests consisting of supra-tympanic, supra-orbital, and canthal ridges, the last two continuous with each other and extending in a nearly straight line to the nares, with a slight thickening opposite the front of the orbit. The intervening concave surface is of moderate width. The superciliary ridges send inwards a short tuberosity at the posterior third of the orbit. The supra-tympanic is short and very protuberant, giving the cranium an angulate outline. There is a low, narrow, post-orbital ridge. No trace of mem- branum tympani. Parietal region with several small osseous nodules on each side. Parotoid very small, subround. Skin everywhere rugose with minute tubercles, which are sparse on the dorsal, dense on the ventral, regions. Soles smooth, no tarsal, carpal, or solar tubercles or folds. Longest digit on both extremities projecting 2.5 phalanges beyond the flat mass which includes the other digits. Femur half-inclosed in inguinal integument. A concave dermal fold from end of each sacral diapophysis to parotoid gland, which is easily obscured. M. Length of head and body . : 3 : . 6 : Aa) Ge 1 CHONG : 5 : . : 6 . ; o. | AUS “to angle of jaw : : : 5 : 6 : a OIC vonaxilla ‘ ; : ; : : : : 5 =AUNT «to groin : : : : : : : : . .030 «of fore limb. : ; : 4 : : : 5 oY) ‘oy sof forestoot |. : : : : : F 3 OOK “© of hind limb (free portion) 5 . ; : . .030 BS OF Imingl io, : : : : ‘ ; , ae SOs General color black, above a little lighter with a few darker spots on each side ; soles yellowish; entire scapular region brown; sometimes a brown median dorsal band. ‘ From 5000 feet elevation on Pico Blanco. 6. OLLOTIS CHRULESCENS, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Bufonidarum. No ostia-pharyngea nor membranum tympani. Parotoid glands present. Digits free on all the feet. Cranial derm not occupied by ossification. This genus may be regarded as Bufo with the auditory apparatus incomplete, agreeing in this respect with the preceding genera Crepidius and Cranopsis. Char. Specif—The largest specimen is about an inch in length, and hence perhaps not adult, although there are no marks of immaturity observable. ‘There ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 99 are no cranial ridges except a protuberant supra-tympanic ; the superciliary ridges are slightly prominent and continued behind in straight lines by two angles of the parietal bone. No trace of membranum tympani. The canthus rostrales are straight and angular, and the lores elevated; the nares are nearer to each other than each is to the orbit. The tongue is large and elongate. The skin of the back and sides is studded with numerous spaced tubercles, and the lower surfaces are nearly smooth, There is no tarsal fold, and the palmar and plantar tubercles are obsolete. The digits are all distinct, those of the hind foot halfwebbed. The wrist of the fore limb, and the end of the second toe of the hind limb extended, reach the end of the muzzle. M. Length of head and body . 3 : : 5 : : . .025 Width of head behind c: : : : : : : - .008 Length to orbit . : 5 : : : : : : . .003 oe etoraxal la : : ‘ ; : ; : ‘ 5 OKO) B WO LARDOD : . é : : : ; ; 5 AUHI SOF tion Iii : : : , ; : ‘ . .014 Of tore toot). : : : : : Area . 005 San Oteniadelim bye an hte ; , : : ; . .023 ot hindstoote 1. 5 ‘ : : : ; 5 Be AUS) Upper surfaces blackish, the tubercles brown; below black, thickly marked with light blue spots. From 3000 to 5000 feet elevation on Pico Blanco. 7. Buro Auritus, Cope, sp. nov. Vertex flat, bounded by a vertical superciliary crest on each side, which is slightly bent where it gives off the postorbital crest, and then continues to the posterior border of the cranium. Post-orbital ridge prominent, presenting an open angle where it gives off the supratympanic, particularly prominent as the anterior border of the tympanic membrane. Supratympanic horizontal, prominent. Supra- orbital crests abruptly incurved at the loreal region, and separated by a narrow groove at the summit of the muzzle. No preorbital crest. End of muzzle narrow, produced beyond the line of the upper lip; external nares nearer each other than the orbit. Parotoid gland quite small, surmounted by several dermal’ spines. Tubercles of the skin small, spinulose, most numerous on the sides, wanting below. Tarsus without fold, spinulose; palmar and solar tubercles insignificant. Digits elongate, the fingers remarkably so; the toes half-webbed. The wrist reaches beyond the end of the nose, as does also the heel of the extended hind limb. The 100 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. membranum tympani is distinct in its anterior half, and the ostia-pharyngea are minute. M. Length of head and body . 5 : : 6 5 6 5 Bil Width of head behind : APE : Suit : . .010 Length to orbit . 0 : 6 6 3 : 5 4 . 004 “« to posterior border skull . : k : : 6 5 AO “to axilla : : 2 : : : : : 5 AOS * to groin 6 : : . 6 : : 6 5 ORG GB Of tore in : ; : , : : : . 028 enOlt ore tOOtu an : : : ; : j : OO ‘© of hind limb . 5 : : ; F : ; . 038 *“ of hind foot . ; i : : : ‘ : Sp )74 Color brown; a quadrate patch on vertex from orbits to occiput, an oblique band from the latter outwards on each side, and a spot on each lateral sacral region black. Belly marbled with black; throat and limbs below, dusky. This species resembles in its general appearance the Crepidius epioticus, Cope, but differs in many points, both generic and specific. It is also allied to the Bufo veraguensis, Schmidt, but according to that author the supra-tympanic crest is much smaller than in B. auritus. Two specimens from the East coast region. 8. Buro VALLIcEPs, Wiegm. JB. nebulifer, Girard, U.S. Mex. Boundary Survey, II.(2) 25, Pl. XL. f. 1. A variety with narrow cranial crests, and less fully webbed toes; the ground color is light, and is marked with large black spots forming a row on each side of the median line. Throat and breast black, pale spotted. Buro cocciFER, Cope. Proceed. Acad. Philada., 1866, p. 130. _ Parotoids round semi-globular. Muzzle narrowly rounded, nearly as long as orbit. Strong bony, canthal, pre-, sub-, and postorbital, supratympanic and supra- orbital ridges; the last regularly curved and sending a parietal branch towards the median line; the first rapidly converging, leaving only a gutter between. Tym- panum one-fifth orbit. Everywhere minutely tubercular, those of the sides and forearm conic; soles rough, web short, metatarsal tubercles small, obtusely promi- nent; tarsal fold scarcely visible. Heel to axilla. Two obtuse metacarpal warts. Gray brown; a yellow vertebral line, with numerous chestnut brown light bordered spots on each side. Sides with two longitudinal brown bands; one from ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 101 parotoid and one from groin. Limbs irregularly light varied above. Under sur- face immaculate. : Length of head and body 2 in. 6 1.; breadth at angle of jaws below, 1 in.; length of fore limb 1 in. 51; length of foot 1 in. 31. C. N. Riotte. Smithsonian collection, No. 6490. This handsome species resembles the B. ocellatus, Gthr., in coloration. 10. BuFo sTERNOSIGNATUS, Gtinther, Catal. Batrach. Salientia Brit. Mus. 1858, p. 68. Said to have been found in Costa Rica by Keferstein, Archiv. fiir Natur- geschichte, 1868, 294. 11. Buro aeua, Daudin. - Large and small specimens from the Eastern coast. ‘This species is especially abundant about houses. 12. Buro H@MATITICUS,* Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philadelphia, 1862, 157. Sipurio. FIRMISTERNIA. 13. HyPopAcHUS VARIOLOSUS, Cope. Hngystoma variolosum, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1866, p- 181; Proceed. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1869, p. 166. Hypopachus seebachit, Keferstein, Nach- richten Gottingen, 1867, p. 352; Archiv. f. Naturgeschichte, 1868, Tab. 1X., figs. 1, 2. The genus Hypopachus resembles Engystoma, but differs in the important par- ticular of the possession of a claviculus, as was first pointed out by Dr. Keferstein. It is therefore to be referred to the family of the Phryniscide. Two strong compressed metatarsal tubercles, a sublongitudinal cuneiform and subtransverse opposite it: toes slightly webbed. Width between tympanic regions nearly double the length from muzzle to nuchal fold. Muzzle prominent, as long as orbit, nostrils nearly terminal. Mandible with two symphyseal notches, and median knob. Tongue flat, elongate; slits of vocal vesicle large. Heel to front of scapula. Dark brown above; under side, limbs, and belly darker, with numerous large yellowish spots. Sides anteriorly blackish-brown, which color has a serrate margin above. Femora, forearms, and tarsi brown behind, with coarse yellow vermicula- tions: some yellow spots behind the angle of the mouth. Length of head and body 1 in. 4.5 1.; of posterior limbs 1 in. 7 1. Chas. N. Riotte. Mus. Smithsonian, No. 6486. * The Bufo simus, Schmidt, Denkschriften K. K. Akademie Wien, 1858, p. 254, will probably be found in Costa Rica. 26 102 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 14. ATELOPUS VARIUS, Stannius. Very abundant both on the Pico Blanco range, and in the lower country. The markings are vermilion on a black, or, in the case of the mountain specimens, a green ground. In some of the latter the red markings are few, and in others altogether wanting, leaving a uniform pea-green. 15. DENDROBATES TYPOGRAPHUS, Keferstein, Archiv. f. Naturgeschichte, 1868, p. 298, Pl. IX. fig. 7. Dendrobates ignitus, Cope, Proceed. Academy, Phila., 1874, p. 68. The form described by me as D. ignitus differs from the one observed by Kefer- stein, in the uniform red of the dorsal region. Both occur in Mr. Gabb’s collection. From the low country, not more than ten miles inland. 16. DENDROBATES TINCTORIUS, Wagl., var. auratus, Girard, Steindachner Verhandl. der K. K. Zool. bot. Gesselsch., Wien, 1864, p. 261. Numerous, and exclusively from the lower country, not extending far inland. 17. DENDROBATES TALAMANC, Cope. Allied to the Dendrobates lugubris, Schmidt, Denkschr. K. K. Akad., Wien, 1858, p. 250. First finger longer than the second; the skin of the upper surfaces entirely smooth; tympanic membrane very obscure. Head elongate, muzzle depressed, truncate, the nares equidistant from each other and the orbits. When the limbs are extended, the wrist reaches the front, and the heel the middle of the orbit. No tarsal fold; palmar and solar tubercles insignificant. Color brown above, separated by a border of light pigment from the white of the lower surfaces. ‘This border continues as a light border of the upper lip round the end of the muzzle. ‘Top of muzzle, and a band from the eye to the groin on each side, yellowish. Upper surface of fore limbs yellow. External surfaces of femur and tibia covered with a light pigment. Posterior face of femur black, with a short yellow band on each side directed outwards from behind the groin, forming with the light band of the superior face of the femur, a hook-shaped pattern. M. Length of head and body . ‘ : : : 6 : . .022 “© of head to angle jaw : : . % : ; e008 Width of head behind : 3 j 6 : : : . .006 Length to orbit . 5 , : : : . : : . 008 coe tonaxalla : ‘ : : 6 j : 6 OKO SS Olmore limba : 6 b : 5 . 5 6 AOL Om tore toot. : 3 : ‘ 3 : 2 . 005 ‘of hind limbs : 6 5 : : 5 : 5 Az ‘cof hind foot -. ; 6 : 5 5 5 From near Old Harbor on the East coast. ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 103 ARCIFERA. 18. Hyba GaBBit, Cope, sp. nov. A rather large species resembling the Smilisca baudinii, D. B. Vomerine teeth in two short transverse series between the interior nares. Choane and ostia pha- ryngea subequal; tongue round, scarcely free behind. Head short, wide; canthus decided, concave; nares much nearer each other than each one is to the orbit. Membranum tympani less than half the area of the orbit. Integument of upper surfaces nearly smooth. Fingers well webbed to the base of the penultimate phalange of the longest; toes webbed to near the end of the corresponding phalange of the hind foot. Digital dilatations large, about equal to the tympanum. Lower surfaces areolate. Color ashy-brown, the pigment forming a narrow band on the upper face of the femur. Anterior and posterior faces of femur dusky, without coloration figure. Some large irregular brown spots on the back, groin marbled with light-brown and white. Lip with a faint pale border, no large spots on it or the lores. ‘Tibia and cubitus with broad pale-brown cross-bands ; lower surfaces all whitish. M. Length of head and body . : ; : 2 ; ; . 056 ‘“¢ of head to angle of jaws 6 5 : , ‘ on OG Width of head at angle of jaws . : ; 5 : : » 3020 Length to orbit . : : : : : : : 2 A OO “« to axilla : : : : : ; ‘ ; O22 “of forelimb . : : : : : 3 : 2 2032 “of hind limb . : 5 5 : : : : . 098 OL hincatOOtenr : : : é o : : . .040 This tree-frog resembles the Smilisca baudinii, but differs in the absence of the post-orbital process, the more extensive palmation of the fingers, and the absence of the characteristic spots on the upper lip. It is dedicated to William M. Gabb, of the Geological Survey of Costa Rica (formerly of Santo Domingo and of California), to whom herpetological science is indebted for the collection now described. From near Sipurio. 19. HyLA URANOCHROA, Cope, sp. nov. A species of the size of the Hyla carolinensis, and related to it in general structure. The vomerine teeth are in two fascicles exactly between the inner nares, which are small and just equal to the ostia pharyngea in size. Tongue round, little free. The head is wide and the muzzle rounded, the canthus rostralis 104 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. obtuse and moderately concave. Nostrils considerably nearer each other than to orbit, which is large and equal to twice the area of the tympanum. ‘The toes are short, and digital dilatations large; the fingers have a short web, which is deeply emarginate ; the toes are not fully webbed, the membrane notched to opposite the proximal end of the antepenultimate phalange. Head and body elongate, so that when the limbs are closed the knee and elbow are not in contact. The heel reaches the middle of the orbit, and the longest finger the femur. Skin smooth above, areolate below. Color above, blue; below ? yellow (whitish pigment in alcohol), The blue pigment .is sharply bordered along the sides and extends on the upper surfaces of the humerus and femur, as well as cubitus, tibia, and tarsus, and on the base of the outer finger, and entire surface of outer two toes. Upper lip yellow bordered all round; vent yellow, no inguinal, femoral, labial, or other spots. Denericot mendantibdy 0) cee en area “to angle of jaw 6 : : : : : : 6 LO Se tovaxdlla : 5 : : : 0 . : > AUS See CORSTOIN 6 3 : : - . “inva . 036 Width of head behind : : : 6 é : : . O14 Length of fore limb . : : 6 ° . : : . .022 wot fore toot : 6 : 6 5 : : OO SS eotenindelimbp ee 6 : 3 5 5 : : . .055 “© hind foot : ‘ ; : . : : . . .025 From near Sipurio. 20. HyLa NIGRIPES, Cope, sp. nov. A species of the size of Hyla carolinensis, with longer head and limbs than the last described species. Vomerine teeth in two short transverse series between the inner nares; the latter equal to the ostia pharyngea. Tongue longer than wide. The head is an oval, but the muzzle does not project; the canthus rostrales are a little concave, and the lores are oblique. The orbits are large and from four to five times the area of the tympanum. The digital dilatations are moderate, the web of the fingers extending about half-way to the end of the longest, notched deeper than the line of the penultimate phalange. Web of toes not extending to end of penultimate phalange. Upper surfaces smooth, the lower finely areolate. Color dark-brown, limbs and feet blackish. Lip brown, groin finely white and blackish marbled ; no lateral border or band. Posterior face of femur black, unspotted ; no spots on any other region. Sides of throat black-dusted. ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 105 M. Length of head and body . : 6 : 6 : : - .039 Se toporbitue ; : : : . : 3 : . 005 “ to angle of jaws. . 5 6 : : ; 5 AUT Width of head at angle of jaws : : : : 3 = AUIS) Length of fore limb . : 5 : : : : 6 O24 ‘en votetorenootim. : : : : : : : 5 Wo ‘on hindelimbi: é : : ; 6 : 3 . .065 ‘Sof hindstoote.. : : 4 : : ‘ : OG When the limbs are closed, the knee and elbow overlap some distance. ‘The species in form and sombre colors resembles some of the Scytopes, but is a true Ayla. 18. HyLa ELMOcHROA, Cope, sp. noy. A small species with elongate oval head and uniform coloration. The vomerine teeth are entirely between the nares, and form two short series directed backwards towards the middle line; in some specimens the backward inclination is very slight. The choane are larger than the ostia pharyngea, and the tongue longer than wide. The muzzle is elongate and plane above, and slightly projecting. The nares are as far from each other as from the lip border, and nearly twice as far from the orbit. Eyes large, four or five times the area of the membranum tympani. Digital dilatations large; fingers entirely free. Toes with emarginate webs not reaching the end of the antepenultimate phalange of the longest toe, which is rather short. Skin above smooth, below finely areolate on the abdomen. Legs long, the heel reaching the end of the muzzle, the wrist not quite reaching the same point. Color above and below a uniform olivaceous, without spots. A pale area below the eye; lip faintly marbled. M. Length of head and body . : : 3 . : 5 4.026 “ toangle of jaws . é 5 : : : 5 > .009 Width of head at angle of jaws . 6 . 0 : 0 O09 Length of head to orbit. 5 : . : . : . .0045 “ to axilla : : 6 4 : : : : 6 AML «© of fore limb” - 3 : ; 6 : : : ee OLO ‘sof fore footy 7: : : : : : : . OOK “of hind limb . 5 5 F : ; : : . O44 “ of hind foot . ; : : : : : 6 . - 019 27 106 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. The pre-frontal bones in this species are unusually wide. Three specimens from the east foot of the mountains near Sipurio. 19. HyLa PUNCTARIOLA, Peters, Monatsberichte K. Preuss. Acad. Wiss. 1863, p. 462. Five specimens from the Cordilleras, at from 5000 to 7000 feet, agree in essentials with the above-named species, but differ entirely from it in coloration, as well as from each other. ‘Two of the specimens agree with each other exactly in this respect, and as Hyle are, as far as my experience extends, very constant in coloration, I suspect that the forms below described are true species. The H. punctariola is distinguished by the posterior position of its vomerine teeth, the small tympanic membrane, and the free fingers. In all of the Costa Rican specimens the fingers are not entirely free, but a web extends between the outer two to the middle of the first phalange. The area of the tympanum in the same is one-fourth that of the orbit. The head is short and wide, and the heel extends nearly or quite to the end of the muzzle. Subspecies pictipes: color light brown above, not sharply bordered on the sides, below white. Edge of upper lip, tarsus, and outer toe, white. The sides are marbled with dark-brown and yellow from near axilla to groin; and the front and back of the femora on each side of the superior brown longitudinal band are yellowish-brown, spotted with bright yellow. ‘Two outer toes brown, inner toes yellow. Humerus, cubitus, and two outer fingers, brown above. Back, lips, and belly, unspotted. ‘Two specimens. Subspecies moesta. Above brownish-black, sides and femora, except above and below, deep black. Some white spots on sides behind axille, and some small yellow ones near groin. A few minute white points on front and back of femur, and upper surfaces of feet. Otherwise the limbs and hands, except the thumb, are black. Lower surfaces thickly black spotted except on breast and tibia, where the white predominates. One specimen. Subspecies monticola. Color light grayish-brown with large dark-brown spots, forming transverse bars, one between the eyes, one in front of the scapule, one behind the scapule, and one at the sacrum. Below unspotted white. Limbs with light-brown surfaces above; concealed surfaces pale, unspotted. No inguinal spots; a few specks of brown on sides. Length of head and body .037 m. Size of H. p. moesta identical; of H. p. pictipes a little smaller. One specimen. The original H. punctariola is from Veragua, Panama. Before leaving the genus Hyla, 1 may mention that the Hyla polytenia, Cope, (Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1869, p. 164) has been described by Prof. Peters as H. striata (Monatsber. K. Preuss. Acad. 1872, p. 681). ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 107 20. SMILISCA BAUDINII, Dum. Bibr. (Hyla). Smilisca, Cope. San José, Dr. Van Patten. 21. AGALYCHNIS MORELETI, A. Dum. (Hyla). Agalychnis, Cope. Hyla holochlora, Salvin. San José, Dr. Van Patten. 22. PHYLLOBATES HYLEHFORMIS, Cope, sp. nov. A species of medium size, resembling a Hyla in its habit. The head is a broad oval, and the muzzle is not produced, but is depressed. Interorbital space wide, plane; canthus rostralis obtuse, straight, lores oblique. ‘Tongue an elongate oval narrowed before, flat, and one-half free. Ostia pharyngea very minute; membranum tympani one-sixth of orbit. Fingers and toes free, dilatations rather large. Skin smooth above and below. Color above rich brown, divided on the vertebral line by a narrow red stripe. Femora light brown before and behind. Gular region with large vocal sac, of a rose color. Abdomen and inferior surfaces of femur and tibia with a rosy or orange pigment. M. Length of head and body . : 5 : 9 : 6 6) AU Se COMOTDIGymes : : : . : 5 6 6 OS «to angle of jaws . : : 5 0 6 6 5 UO) Width between angle of jaws. ; : . : 5 OO ee orbits 6 0 . : : : . . 008 Length fore limb ; : : : Q : 5 ; >» ADULT “fore foot : : i : : 6 : : . .006 «hind limb ‘ : : : 5 “ : p 5 AUT “hind foot : : ; : 2 ‘ : 6 OLS From the mountain of Pico Blanco, at 7000 feet elevation. 23. LIYLA GUENTHERII, Keferstein, Archiv ftir Naturgeschichte, 1868, p. 296. Allied to the species of Lithodytes, and unknown to me. 24. LITHODYTES PODICIFERUS, Cope, sp. nov. Allied to the L. conspicillatus. The head and body short, and the hinder limbs long. Canthus rostralis straight, end of muzzle truncate, not projecting beyond lip. Vomerine teeth in two short series entirely behind the internal nares, but directed forwards and outwards towards them. Outline of mouth an oval. Muzzle plane above, parietal region slightly concave. Membranum tympani two-thirds the size of the orbit. Ostia pharyngea a little larger than choane. Nostrils much nearer to each other than to the orbits. Skin smooth. The muzzle extends beyond 108 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. the wrist of the appressed fore limb, and marks a point a little beyond the middle of the tibia. Digital dilatations very small. All the specimens from the level of from 5000 to 7000 feet. The colors of this species vary remarkably, more than I have observed to be the case in any other frog. All of the varieties agree in having a large triangular brown patch below the vent, a dark line along the canthus rostralis, and dark crossbars on the legs. They differ as follows :— Var. A. Dark-brown above and below; speckled on the lower surfaces with dirty-white; side of head deep-brown to membranum tympani. Sometimes a white vertebral line, and a transverse one like it on the posterior face of the femur. Numerous specimens, all from 7000 feet on the Pico Blanco. Var. B. Similar to the last, but with a bright rufous spot extending from the eye forwards to the lip border; a white spot from the tympanic disc downwards and backwards. Two specimens. Var. C. Cherry-red everywhere except on the abdomen; a brown spot below the eye, one behind the tympanum, and several on the back. Sole of tarsus and foot black. One specimen. Var. D. Dirty-white, with four longitudinal brown bands above. An oblique brown band from orbit to abdomen, ceasing at the middle of the side. A broad blackish band with pale centre from groin upwards parallel to and well removed from the other oblique band. Lower surfaces white. One specimen. The small digital dilatations and obtuse muzzle are characters which distinguish this frog from the L. conspicillatus as at present defined. 25. LITHODYTES MURICINUS, Cope, spec. nov. Canthus rostralis straight angular, muzzle narrowly truncate. ‘Tympanic disc equal eye. Vomerine teeth in two short transverse fasciculi behind the internal nares, well separated from each other, and not extending outwards beyond the line of the inner border of the inner nares. ‘Tongue elongate, flat, and extensively free behind. Digital dilatations small; the heel of the extended hind limb marks the end of the muzzle. Sides of head and body and upper surfaces of limbs black, unspotted ; below light-brown unspotted; above uniform red purple. M. Length head and body. : - : 6 : . . .0200 “ to angle of jaws. : : 0 5 5 5 . 0075 ee of tore limbs. : : ; : : j : oe 2 OLTO “ of hind foot . ; : , 5 : 5 : . .0150 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 109 The shorter hind limbs and larger tympanic membrane, with the more transverse and widely separated vomerine teeth, distinguish this from the last species. Represented by one small specimen from the Pico Blanco. 29. LirHODYTES HABENATUS, Cope, sp. nov. This species, also represented by one specimen, agrees with the Lithodytes muricinus in the points just enumerated in which it differs from the L. podiciferus. Its general color is blackish-brown above, and dirty-white below. On each side above, a white band extends from the orbit to the middle of the side, where it is continuous with the pale color of the abdomen. The vomerine teeth are in small fasciculi, well separated, and both behind and within the line of the nares. M. Length of head and body . é 5 6 : . . e022 «hind limb . 5 : : . 6 : : 5 AUBY «“ hind foot . ‘ - f ; ; 4 4 5 Os From the Pico Blanco. 30. LirHoDYTES MELANOSTICTUS, Cope, sp. nov. A species of distinct type from the preceding in its short head and longer body. Size of Rana temporaria. The vomerine teeth are in two short transverse series entirely behind the inner nares, well separated from each other and not extended outwards beyond the line of the inner margin of the nares. Choane and ostia pharyngea sub-equal; tongue sub-round, one-third free, and a little emarginate behind. Head flat, wide, muzzle projecting a little, canthus rostrales straight convergent. Nostrils more than twice as far from orbits as from end of muzzle; their distance apart 1.33 times in their distance from the orbit. Loreal region and lip oblique. Diameter of eye equal distance from its border to the nostril, its area four times that of the membranum tympani, which is a rather narrow vertical oval. Skin everywhere smooth. Limbs long, dilatations of fingers large, of toes moderate. The muzzle marks the middle of the cubitus and a little beyond the middle of the tibia. ‘The order of lengths of the fingers is, 1-2—-4—3; first and third toes equal. The sternum is a wide cartilaginous shield notched at the end. ‘There is a well-developed zygomatic process of the squamosal bone, but no corresponding malar process. M. Length of head and body . : 6 5 6 : : . .050 SS to angle of jaws (axial) Bt airs . : . 015 Width of head at angle of jaws : : . ¢ : . 022 Length to orbit (oblique) . 6 : : : : . ec OOn 28 110 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. Length to axilla . : 6 ; : : 3 : 5 5 ADILG) Width of sacrum } , : : : t : : 009 Length of fore limb . 5 ; : : 5 6 : 5 ABT
the species is, with much pleasure, dedicated.
33
130 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
67. EPICRATES CENCHRIA, Linn., Dr. Van Patten.
68. BoA IMPERATOR, Daudin.
Not an uncommon species from the east coast to the foot of the mountains.
69. LEPTOGNATHUS ANNULATA, Giinther, Annals and Magaz. Nat. Hist. 1872.
Not seen by me.
70. LrproGNaTHUS ARGUS, Cope, sp. nov.
Body compressed; scales in fifteen rows, smooth, larger above than on the
sides, the median row not abruptly larger than those adjoining it. Head wide,
muzzle very short, orbit bounded in front by the loreal and prefontal scuta. Rostral
plate triangular, as high as wide, very small; internasals small, prefontals large.
Frontal and occipitals large, the former with parallel sides equal to the anterior
border. Superior labials seven, orbit bounded by the fourth, fifth, and sixth.
Inferior labials seven, the first, second, and third smaller than those that follow,
the first pair not uniting behind the symphyseal. Geneial plates three pairs, the
anterior two each longer than wide, the third quadrate, smaller. Postorbitals two,
temporals 1-2. Gastrosteges 212; anal entire; urosteges 121.
Total length : : : é ; : . : j : Bd
Length of tail. : : : . : ; 5 : . 104
co COeciccCUS/OrISmer : : ; i : : 3 . O07
Width of head behind : ; E : ‘ : : a MOU
Color above from the third row of scales greenish-ash, with two series of alter-
nating light ocelli with black borders. Below, yellow to the third row of scales ;
the sides below that row with a series of black-edged ocelli like those of the back.
Below, blackish speckled on the posterior half of the length. A large black-
bordered ocellus on the nape. Head vermiculated with black; lips yellow, with
black specks.
This species belongs to the same group of the genus as the L. anthracops, Cope.
From Sipurio.
71. LEPTOGNATHUS PICTIVENTRIS, Cope, sp. nov.
Belonging to the same group of the genus as the L. argus, i. e. with the verte-
bral series of scales not enlarged; scales smooth, and a pair of elongate colubriform
geneial shields. It differs in the peculiarity that the front of the long geneials is
jn immediate contact with the wedge-shaped symphyseal. Scales in fifteen series,
the lateral smaller. The muzzle is not so short as in the L. argus, but more as in
L. nebulata. Internasals transverse triangles; frontal wide, occipitals long. Nasal
undivided; orbit bounded by the prefontal above, the loreal medially and a pre-
ocular below. Postoculars two, the inferior separating the seventh labials from the
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 131
orbit. Superior labials eight, fifth and sixth bounding orbit, the sixth the longest,
the seventh the widest plate, the four anterior higher than wide. ‘Temporals 1-2.
Inferior labials seven, four anterior smallest. Three pairs of geneials, two poste-
rior pairs short, wide.
The colors of this species have been somewhat injured by spirits. The belly
is yellow, with brown cross-bands on the anterior part of the body, the posterior
part with large alternating brown spots. Back, at some points at least, crossed by
continuations of the same. ‘Throat and lips brown spotted. Urosteges 121.
This species differs from the last in the arrangement of the head plates both
superior and inferior, as well as in the coloration.
72. LEPTOGNATHUS NEBULATA, Linn.
The dark colored variety.
73. DIPSAS GEMMISTRATUS, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadelphia, 1861, p. 296; Van Patten.
74. Dipsas oENcHOA, Linn.*
75. SIBON ANNULATUM, Linn.
With twenty-one rows of scales. From Old Harbor.
76. OXYRRHOPUS PLUMBEUS, Wied. Brachyrhyton plumbeum, Dum. Bibr.
I had occasion to observe on a former occasion that this species is a devourer
of snakes, having received a specimen from Martinique which had swallowed the
head and part of the body of a fer de lance (Bothrops lanceolatus). ‘The present
collection contains a specimen of m. 1.950 in length which had swallowed a Her-
* TRIMORPHODON COLLARIS, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in twenty-three longitudinal rows; posterior geneials very short, separated by an
intervening scale. Superior labials nine, fourth and fifth entering orbit. Loreals three; oculars
3-3 ; temporals 3-3-4-5. Head short and wide; internasal plates small; frontal in contact with
superior preocular, and about as long as occipitals.
Body compressed, tail one-fifth the total. Ground color white (or? yellow), crossed by six-
teen black spots on the body in the type specimen (No. 148). The anterior three or four of these
are longitudinally extended (the third, eleven scales long); the others are transverse diamond-
shaped, the lateral apices extending well on the gastrosteges. Hach is divided transversely by a
narrow white line. Between each pair of spots is a small black spot on the border of the gastro-
steges. Middle line of belly unspotted. Head black above, muzzle and lips yellow; a large
projection of the yellow collar occupies a space on each side of the common parietal suture.
Orizaba, Vera Cruz; Dr. Sumichrast.
After examination of a large number of specimens of the genus Trimorphodon, Cope, I can
recognize five species, viz.: 7. tau, Cope; 7. upsilon, Cope; T. collaris, Cope; 7’. lyrophanes,
Cope, and 7’. biscutatus, Dum. Bibr. The last-named authors describe the 7’. biscutatus as having
twenty-three series of scales, and I therefore on a previous occasion regarded it as unknown to me,
and named the most common species of Central America and Mexico as 7. major. I believe,
however, that the latter is most probably the species of Duméril and Bibron, and that the number
of scales given by those authors is not correct, as I find twenty-five and twenty-seven rows in the
numerous specimens at my disposal.
132 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
petodryas carinatus of m. 1.970 in length, forty-two inches of the victim projecting
from the mouth of its captor. As is necessarily the case, in both instances the
captured snake had been seized by the muzzle, and so prevented from biting.
Where venomous snakes are abundant the introduction of this harmless Oxyrrhopus
would materially lessen their numbers. According to Mr. Gabb, it is a spirited
and irascible species, making fight when attacked by man.
77. OXYRRHOPUS PETOLARIUS, Linn.
Red with subequidistant black half rings; muzzle black. Preocular not
reaching frontal; two temporals in contact with postoculars. From Sipurio, the
most northern locality for this snake.
18. DRYIOPHIS BREVIROSTRIS, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadelphia, 1860, p. 555.
Similar to the type specimen, but with the scales nearly smooth. They are
in fifteen series, the smaller lateral graduating into the larger dorsal. Muzzle
rather short, nasal plate very narrow. Preocular reaching frontal. Labials six,
eye resting on fourth, third entering the orbital ring. Postocular one, temporals
1-2. Seven inferior labials, first pair with long common suture, nearly equalling
pregeneials, which are longer than postgeneials. Length m. .563; of tail .220.
Color blue, paler below; lips yellowish. Body compressed, gastrosteges rounded.
From Gabb’s collection. Typical.examples from Dr. Van Patten.
79. DRYIOPHIS ACUMINATUS, Wied.
80. LEPTOPHIS HRUGINOSUS, Cope, sp. nov.
The genus Leptophis has been called Ahaetulla by Dr. Giinther, and Thrasops
by Dr. Hallowell. The former name was given by Dr. Gray in 1825 to the genus
subsequently named Dendrophis by Boie, and, as I showed in 1860, must be
retained for it. In Dr. Gray’s list of species of Ahaetulla, not one is a member of
the genus Leptophis. In the same year Bell gave the name Leptophis to a mixture
of species of the two genera in question, commencing with an Ahaetulla (Gray).
Having at one time adopted the rule of accepting the first species named by an
author under a generic head as its type, I referred Leptophis to Ahaetulla, Gray,
as a synonym, and employed Thrasops, Hallow., the name next in order of date.
Having long since abandoned this position in favor of the more practicable one of
regarding as the type of an author’s genus the species remaining after the subtrac-
tion of all genera based on component species at prior or later dates, the name
Leptophis remains for the species included by Bell, which are not Ahaetulle. This
course has been adopted by Duméril and Bibron.
Scales in fifteen series not keeled, but finely striate. Ventral scuta with very
faint lateral angulations well separated from each other. Loreal present, subquad-
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 133
rate; preocular scarcely reaching frontal; postoculars two; temporals 1-2; nasal
plate not elongate. Superior labials nine, fifth and sixth entering orbit. Inferior
labials ten, six in contact with geneials, of which the posterior pair is the longer.
Parietals bounded by small scales behind. Gastrosteges 146, anal divided; uro-
steges 142. Total length .405; of tail .155 m. Golden-brown above, or yellowish-
green without the epidermis; vertebral line yellow on one row of scales for the
anterior half of the body. Below blue, fading to yellowish on the gular region.
A black band from eye along top of last pnpcHoe labial.
From the low country.
81. LEpropHis sATURATUS, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in fifteen rows, one on each side of the median vertebral, weakly keeled;
scales of the lateral rows wider than those of the median dorsal series. Gastro-
steges not angulate. Head short and wide, eye large, its diameter equal to the
length of the muzzle, or the width of the frontal with one superciliary plate.
Internasals and prefontals wider than long, the frontal, superciliaries, and parietals
wide for the genus, the last openly emarginate behind. Nasals not elongate, the
anterior the higher; loreal present, nearly twice as long as high; orbitals 1-2,
preorbital nearly reaching frontal. ‘Temporals 1-2, the anterior large. Labials
nine above, the fifth and sixth bounding the orbit; ten inferior labials, six in con-
tact with the geneials, Gastrosteges 160; anal divided; urosteges 133.
M.
Total length 6 : : : 6 : : 0 : . 880
Length of tail. : : : : 5 : 6 : . B40
C(O CHS OHS G : : 3 : : 6 : e022
(Se tononbiters : 5 : : é ‘ ; : Se OOK
Color in spirits, indigo blue, very dark on head and vertebral rows of scales.
Lips dark green, a blackish shade above the labial plates from the orbits posteriorly.
The last maxillary tooth of this species is much longer than those that precede
it without interval.
The wide and depressed head as well as the smooth scales and color, distinguish
this species from the D. mexicanus, D. B. The muzzle, and hence the scuta, are
less elongate than in the L. depressirostris, Cope.
One specimen from Sipurio.
82. LEPTOPHIS MEXICANUS, Dum. Bibr.
Valley of Costa Rica; Dr. Van Patten.
83. LEPTOPHIS PRHSTANS, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1868, p 309.
Sipurio.
34
134 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
84. DENDROPHIDIUM MELANOTROPIS, Cope, sp. nov.
The genus Dendrophidium was first defined by the writer in the Proceedings
Philada. Academy, 1860, p. 561. Its dentition is isodont and coryphodont, in
which, with its two preoculars, it resembles Bascanium (Masticophis). From this
genus its strongly keeled scales separate it. Its type is Herpetodryas dendrophis of
Schlegel: a second species is H. brunneus, Gthr., from Equador.
Posterior maxillary tooth a little longer and much stouter than the anterior
teeth, the three or four preceding teeth forming a graded series of intermediate
size. Scales in seventeen series, all keeled excepting the inferior two on each
side; the lateral scales wider than the median; the keels of the row on each side
of the vertebral stronger than those of the others. Grastrosteges not angulate-
Head elevated, eye large, its diameter one and a half times in the length of the
muzzle, and equal to the width of the frontal and one superciliary shield. Supe-
rior labials nine, the fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the orbit. These plates are
rather small to the eighth, which is much longer than high, and the ninth, which
is higher than long. Rostral plate not protuberant, wider than high; postnasal
higher than prenasal. Loreal much longer than high, angulate above owing to
the oblique suture with the superior preocular. Preoculars two, the superior wide,
not reaching the frontal; the inferior much smaller, resting on the middle of the
fourth superior labial; on one side united with the superior preocular. Postoculars
two, equal, narrow and elevated. Temporals 2-2, short and deep. Internasals
longer than wide; prefontals longer than wide; frontal bell-shaped, wide in front,
contracted behind; superciliaries rather narrow. Parietals wide, remarkably short,
their greatest length equal to that of the frontal, less than that of the superciliary ;
their posterior borders convex, including a notch. Scales behind them smooth.
The scales of the body are biporous, the pores situated at a distance in front of
the apex of the scale, and dark pigmented. Gastrosteges 152; anal divided ;
urosteges 94.
Color above and including the external fourth of the gastrosteges green ; the
skin between the scales and the keels of the median three dorsal rows, black;
lower surfaces light yellow.
M.
Total length . : 5 ; : : ‘ 5 : . 1.240
Length of tail . : 5 : : : Pears : . 865
“to rictus oris ‘ : : 3 : 5 : 5 AUBIS
Width between supercilia : : 6 : : : s | TZ
Diameter of eye i : 2 , ; : : : OOS
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 135
This fine species is of aberrant character; it resembles in size and coloration
the Thrasops prestans, Cope, of the same region.
85. DRYMOBIUS MARGARITIFERUS, Schlegel.
San José.
86. DRYMOBIUS BODDAERTIT, Seetz.
Talamanca and San José.
87. HERPETODRYAS CARINATUS, L.
Scales in ten longitudinal rows on the front, and eight on the posterior part of
the body, keeled and about as large as the parietal scuta excepting the first row
on each side, which is smaller and smooth. The keels of the two median rows
are stronger, and become very prominent on the posterior part of the body, forming
together an elevated flat-topped ridge, which gradually disappears on the tail, so
that the scales of its distal half are smooth. ‘The third row of scales is smooth on
the posterior part of the body. There is usually a single pore at the end of the
scale, but sometimes it is wanting. Nine upper labial scuta, the fourth, fifth, and
sixth bounding the orbit. Loreal nearly as high as long; oculars 1-2, the poste-
riors equal, the anterior not reaching the frontal. Last upper labials not elevated ;
temporals 2-2. Parietals wide, short, as long as superciliaries, bounding a deep
notch behind. Gastrosteges 162; anal divided; urosteges 135.
Color black above, below yellow, the former encroaching on the latter and
obliterating it on the posterior part of the belly, and on the tail.
Total length . 6 3 6 6 . : 6 : 5 UO
Length of tail . 5 6 : : . 6 . 0 6 athel)
sof head to rictus' oris. - . : : : sae Oe
The only specimen of this snake was taken from the stomach of an Oxyrrhopus
plumbeus of one foot less length. The tail and a portion of the body projected
from the mouth of its captor. From the low country.
88. HERPETODRYAS GRANDISQUAMIS, Peters; Spilotes grandisquamis, Peters, Monatsberichte K.
Akad. Berlin, 1868, p. 451.
89. SprnorEs PULLATUS, Linn.; Coluber variabilis, Wied.; Spilotes variabilis, Dum. Bibr.
90. SprLorEs corats, Cuv., Giinther, Catal. Colub. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1858, p. 98; subspecies
MELANURUS, Dum. Bibr.
This form ranges from Panama to northern Mexico, preserving the oblique
black mark on the neck and the black tail. When the black involves the entire
body and head, it becomes the subspecies S. c. erebennus (Spilotes erebennus, Cope;
136 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Coluber obsoletus, Holbr., not Say). This subspecies extends from the Rio Grande
to Alabama.
San José and Talamanca.
91. SPILOTES CHRYSOBRONCHUS, sp. nov.
Scales in twenty-five series, all smooth excepting the row next the vertebral,
which is weakly keeled. Head flat; orbit large, contained 1.66 times in side of
muzzle, and 2.25 times in space between their superior borders. Rostral plate
broad as high, not protuberant ; nasals large, subequal. Loreal small, longer than
high; preocular 1-2, the anterior wide, not reaching the frontal. Postoculars
subequal, bounded by two temporals. Internasals wider than long, frontal longer
than wide in front, little shorter than parietals; latter rounded behind. Temporals
2-2-2, one long, one bounding two upper temporals below. Superior labials seven
(a partial division into eight on one side of one specimen); third, fourth, and
fifth bounding the orbit. All of them low, the sixth not triangular, the seventh
on both sides of two specimens, more than twice as long as any of the others.
Twelve inferior labials, eight in contact with the geneials; first pair large, second
to sixth narrow and deep; eleventh narrow and longitudinal. Geneials elongate
subequal. Gastrosteges 220; anal entire; urosteges 117. Scale-pores in pairs.
Color brown, the scales dotted with lighter, head darker; one or more borders
of the scales black. Upper lip, throat, and anterior part of the belly, yellow
remainder of lower surfaces passing from brown to black below the tail. The only
markings are small black dots on the two lower rows of scales, commencing at the
neck and extending to the end of the anterior fourth of the length. -
M.
Total length . : ‘ : 5 : 5 : 6 s LAO
Length of tail . , : : : . : : 5 a 422
“to canthus of mouth . ; : 5 : : 050)
From the coast region.
This species is evidently near to the S. fasciatus, Peters. There are many
trivial differences to be found in the description of the latter, and a few of import-
ance. The frontal of S. chrysobronchus cannot be said to be “very wide,” and it is
not in contact with the preorbitals, as in S. fasciatus. The parietals are not trun-
cate, and the dorsal scales are not so much keeled as in the latter. In S. chryso-
bronchus the number of gastrosteges exceeds that of the urosteges by 103; in S.
fasciatus by only 59. The coloration is materially different, the latter having black
cross-bands, spots, etc.
92. LIOPHIS EPINEPHELUS, Cope, Proceed. Academy, Philada., 1862, Feb.
San José; Dr. Van Patten.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 137
93. CONOPHIS LINEATUS, Dum. Bibr.; Tomodon lineatus, Dum. Bibr.; Conophis lineatus, Cope,
Proc. Acad. Philada. 1871, p. 204.
San José; Dr. Van Patten.
There are five species of this genus, distributed from Costa Rica to Yucatan,
which differ as follows :—
I. Seven upper labials ;
a. Temporals in two rows; loreal higher than long.
Body without bands, but faint traces of them on first, third, and seventh rows of
scales. C. vittatus, Peters.
Body banded on third and eighth rows. C. sumichrastii, Cope.
Var: second row not covered by lateral band; dorsal bands distinct.
Subspecies sumichrastii.
Var: second to fifth and eighth to eighth covered by lateral and median band.
Subspecies viduus.
II. Eight upper labials.
a. ‘Two rows of temporals.
Loreal higher than long. Six longitudinal bands, the lower on the first row of
scales, two dorsal, none on the belly; head brown yellow banded.
C. pulcher, Cope.
Loreal long, or longer than high; no bands except a short one from muzzle through
eye. C. concolor, Cope.
a. One row of temporals in front; large ones behind.
Loreal longer than high; bands on all the scales except those of the fifth row on
each side. C. lineatus, D. & B.
The Conophis sumichrastii, Cope, has been found by M. Sumichrast in the west-
ern part of Tehuantepec, and near Guadalaxara by I. I. Major. The subspecies
C. s. viduus is also from Tehuantepec, from M. Sumichrast. It is a mimetic ana-
logue of Coniophanes piceivittis, Cope, from the same place.
94. CONIOPHANES FISSIDENS, Gunther, Catal. Col. Snakes B. M., 36 ( Coronella).
Sipurio and Old Harbor, abundant.
I am acquainted with seven species of this genus from the region north of
Panama and south of Coahuila. They may be readily distinguished as follows :—
I. Scales in twenty-five longitudinal rows.
Superior labials eight; three broad longitudinal black bands. C. piceivittis, Cope.
II. Scales in twenty-one rows (labials 8).
Sides dark above; a broad dorsal band; light lines on the sides of the nape; belly
unspotted. C. punctigularis, Cope.
35
138 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Sides shaded above; -no dorsal bands nor abdominal spots; light lines on sides of
nape. C. fissidens, Gthr.
Lines very indistinct, none on nape; two rows of brown spots on belly.
' CC, bipunctatus, Gthr.
III. Scales in nineteen rows.
Labials seven or eight; sides dark, a narrow vertebral line; a light band behind
each orbit. C. proterops, Cope.
Labials eight; sides dark, a broad dorsal band from head; a light band from end
of muzzle above eye. C. imperialis, B. & G.
Labials seven; frontal plate wide; head black, body red. C. lateritius, Cope.
95. PLIOCERCUS DIMIDIATUS, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1865, p. 190.
Tail two-fifths the total length; urosteges 120, nearly equal in number to the
gastrosteges—127. Scales in seventeen rows, the median scarcely narrowed. Head
very distinct, flat, muzzle truncate. Top of rostral shield round, curved back on
the upper plane. Internasals very small; lateral borders of frontal (vertical) nearly
parallel, a little shorter than anterior. Occipitals large. ‘Temporals, 1 very narrow,
1 pentagonal, 2. Loreal nearly a rhomb, lower than postnasal; preoculars three,
upper not reaching frontal, lower cut from labial. Superior labials nine, fifth and
sixth entering orbit; postoculars two, superior in contact with occipital only.
Nine inferior labials, sixth largest; geneials equal. ‘Teeth equal.
Red, crossed by fourteen black rings on the body, and eight and a part on the
tail. These are separated by nearly equal spaces below, and rather narrower (34
scales) above. A black space involves the nape to the tips of the occipital and
last upper labial plates and all the last lower, and does not meet on the jugulum.
The remainder of the head above black except the anterior part of the frontal
and the first, second, and third superior labial shields. Lower labials bordering
anterior geneials, with symphyseal, black.
Costa Rica; sent by Charles N. Riotte, correspondent of the Smithsonian
Institution: Mus. No. 6363.
96. RHADINAIA DECORATA, Gth. 1. c. 35 (Coronella).
Sipurio; abundant.
The genus Rhadinea is nearly coextensive with Enicognathus, Jan, and Ablabes,
Giinther. Ablabes of Dum. Bibr. was, however, established on the Coronella rufula
of Schlegel, which has the prolonged series of gastric hypapophyses, and is there-
fore quite different, while Henicognathus is characterized by a peculiar structure of
the mandible, which, so far as I am aware, occurs in only one American species,
the H. annulatus, D. B. Consequently the majority of species attached to this
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 139
genus belong to Rhadinea, as the E. melanocephala, D. B., etc. In the descrip-
tion of this last species three are mingled, as I have ascertained both from a
reading of the same and from an examination of the originals in Mus. Paris. One
of these is our R. obtusa, the other is the true R. melanocephala, and the third is
a species which I described under the name of Lygophis nicagus, Cope. Duméril
and Bibron give both the Island of Guadaloupe and Brazil as habitats of their
species. I suspect, however, that the specimen of R. obtusa was accidentally
introduced into the jar containing the other two, and that it is confined to South
America, where it is not uncommon. It is figured by Jan in his “Iconographie”’
as the second specimen of R. melanocephala, THis first specimen of the same as
figured is our Lygophis nicagus, a serpent with a diacranterian dentition. The
true A. melanocephala is probably confined to Guadaloupe and the neighboring
islands.
It is probable that the Dromicus teniatus, Pet., D. godmanii, and D. loreatus
of Giinther, belong to this genus, as does the D. ignitus, Cope. The posterior
tooth is a little longer than the anterior in most of the species, and when one or
two teeth in advance of it are broken off or shed, the result may resemble the dia-
cranterian type of dentition characteristic of Dromicus. Dy. Giinther expressly
states that the dentition of his D. loreatus is not of that type. The species of
Rhadinea may then be distinguished as follows, with the premise that the charac-
ters of those above named are only known to me from the descriptions of the
authors who made them known :—
I. Scales in twenty-one rows.
Loreal longer than high; three principal bands, with other less prominent ones
between them. R. godmanii.*
II. Scales in nineteen rows.
Loreal longer than high; nine longitudinal bands. R. serperastra, Cope.
III. Scales in seventeen rows. ;
a. One preocular.
Loreal higher than long; sides with dark line above; a black-edged pale band
from eye to side; head pale, lips spotted. R. vermiculaticeps.t
Loreal high as long; three broad brown bands; the light ground color extending
to the eye; lips unspotted. R. fulvivittis.t
* Dromicus godmannit, Giinther.
+ Teniophis vermiculaticeps, Cope.
{ RHADINAIA FULVIVITTIS, Cope, sp. nov.
Head small, not very distinct from body. Frontal a little longer than the suture from it to
the nasal, and a little shorter than common suture of occipitals, two-thirds as wide as long.
140 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Loreal longer than high; a narrow lateral and broad (sometimes divided) dorsal
band; the included band reaching side of muzzle; urosteges 90-108.
R. teniata.*
Sides with dark border above; an oblique yellow band from eye crossing the last
labial; urosteges 60. — R. lachrymans.F
A dorsal band; a yellow band encircling head on labials and nape; a yellow band
through orbit to nape. R. loreata.t
aa. Two preoculars.
Sides dark above, with a superior pale border, which becomes a yellow band on
each side of head to orbit; no dorsal band; lips unspotted. R. ignita.§
Sides dark above, with superior pale border; two yellow spots on each side of
occiput and nape; urosteges 90. R. decorata.||
97. RHADINHA SERPERASTRA, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1871, p. 212.
This species agrees with those regarded as typical, when the genus was first
defined (see Proc. Academy N. Sci. 1868, p. 132). That is, the teeth are equal,
the scales smooth and poreless, the anal plate divided, the nasals two, loreal one,
and oculars 1-2.
In this serpent the scales are in nineteen series. Superior labials eight, not
elevated, fourth and fifth bounding eye. Temporals 1-2-3. Internasals trans-
verse, narrow; postnasal larger than prenasal. Frontal wide, superciliary suture
shorter than anterior, total length exceeding that of common parietal suture.
Loreal square; geneials subequal. Gastrosteges 164; anal 2, urosteges 78.
Dark brown with six longitudinal yellow or white lines, of which the first and
second are brightest. The second dark band is wider than the first and vertebral ;
and like the third is partly divided by a faint white line. Another white line on
each side is produced by a series of dark spots on the ends of the gastrosteges.
Labial plates black, yellow spotted. Head dark brown above with a pale shade
across frontal and two just behind parietals. Chin and belly yellowish.
Rostral small, low; postnasal higher than long; loreal as high as long. Superior labials eight,
seventh highest; temporals 1-1. Inferior labials ten, sixth largest, in contact with middle of
postgeneials. Scales poreless. Gastrosteges 177; anal divided; urosteges 91.
Color above fulvous, below fulvous-yellow. The three brown bands extend from the end of
the nose to near the end of the tail; the lateral involves the fourth and the half of each adjacent
row of scales, and is black edged; the dorsal is three and two half scales wide, and is also black
edged. The brown is paler on top of the head, and the ground color is a narrow yellow band to
the eye. Lips yellow, like the lower surfaces unspotted.
From Orizaba, Vera Cruz; obtained by Dr. Sumichrast ; No. 7075 Mus. Smithsonian.
* Dromicus, Peters. + Lygophis, Cope.
{ Dromicus, Gunther. § Dromicus, Cope.
|| Coronella, Gunther.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 141
98. ERYTHROLAMPRUS VENUSTISSIMUS, Wied.
Sipurio,
99. XENODON ANGUSTIROSTRIS, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad., Berlin.
Sipurio.
100. SreENORHINA VENTRALTS, Dum. Bibr., Erp. Gen. vii. 867.
Several specimens from Old Harbor.
The genera related to Stenorhina are numerous, and their characters may be
tabulated as follows :—
I. Internasal plates wanting.
a. Rostral produced backwards to the frontal.
Nasals and first labial confluent. Ficimia, Gray.
aa. Rostral not separating prefontals.
Nasals confluent with first labial; anal entire; prefontals in contact medially.
Sympholis, Cope.
Nasals and first labial distinct; anal divided. Conopsis, Giinth.
II. Internasals confluent with nasal plates.
Dentition glyphodont. Stenorhina, D. B.
Dentition isodont; rostral shovel-like. Chilomeniscus, Cope.
III. Internasals and prefontals distinct.
a. Internasals separated by backward production of the rostral.
Nasals confluent with first labial. Gyalopium, Cope.
aa. Prefontals separated by forward production of the frontal.
Nasals one, distinct from labial. Toluca, Kenn.
aaa. Prefontals in contact medially.
2B. Dentition isodont.
y. Subcaudal scutella divided.
No loreal; anal divided; two nasals; rostral produced. Geagras, Cope.*
* GEAGRAS REDIMITUS, Cope, sp. nov.
Head not distinct; muzzle depressed, projecting much beyond the mouth, so that the first
superior labial is mostly inferior. Superior face of rostral as wideas length of prefontals; that —
of internasals narrower, both pairs much wider than long. Frontal large, wide, and produced
behind ; parietals as long as frontal, narrowed, bifurcate behind, the notch occupied by a large
scale. Superciliary plate small. Nasals elongate, very distinct, the posterior angle produced to
the preocular, on one side cut off, forming a loreal. Oculars 1-1, the posterior barely touching
by its posterior angle the anterior angle of the single temporal. Labials five above, the eye
resting on the middle of the third, which with the fifth is the longest. Inferior labials six, of
which three are in contact with the pregeneials, and the fourth and largest with the short post-
geneials. The symphyseal is wide, and in full contact with the pregeneials; postgeneials not
36
142 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
A loreal; anal entire; two nasals; rostral produced. Cemophora, Cope.
A loreal; anal divided; one nasal; rostral much produced. Chionactis, Cope.
A loreal; anal divided; two nasals, rostral obtuse, not produced. Sonora, B. & G.
o. Subcaudal scutella entire.
Rostral produced ; scuta normal. Rhinochilus, B. & G.
22. Dentition glyphodont.
Rostral little produced ; nasal distinct, undivided. Ogmius, Cope.
IV. Prefontals continuous on the middle line.
Internasals distinct ; rostral produced. Ligonirostra, Cope.
Internasals medially united. Prosymna, Gray.
The preceding genera are all Mexican, Sonoran, or from adjoining regions,
excepting Ligonirostra and Prosymna (African). Ligonirostra, Cope (Amer. Journ.
Sci. Arts, 1863) was formerly called Temnorhynchus by Smith, but that name was
preoccupied.
There are only two species of Stenorhina, but several subspecies, which differ
as follows :—
Eight inferior labials, fifth largest. No loreal; narrow cross-bands,
S. kennicottiana, Cope.
Seven inferior labials, fourth largest. Seventeen rows scales; temporals 1-2.
S. degenhardtii, Berth.
Subspecies I. Adults plumbeous-brown; no loreal; young with broad cross-
bands. S. d. ventralis, D. B.
Subsp. II. A loreal; scales above the third row with a black tip; ground color
pale brown. S. d. apiata, Cope.
Subsp. III. Loreal present or absent; five black longitudinal bands on a light
brownish ground. S. d. freminvillet, D. & B.
The S. d. apiata is from Tehuantepec, from Sumichrast.
101. TANTILLA MELANOCEPHALA, Linn., Dum. Bibron, vii. p. 859.
From Van Patten’s collection.
separated from each other by scales. Scales of the body smooth, poreless, and in fifteen longi-
tudinal rows. Gastrosteges 118; anal double; urosteges 25.
Color very pale yellow, each scale, excepting those of the first row, with a brown apical spot,
which is in all except the two outer of these, continued to the base of the scale as a brown line.
Head above dark brown, with an oval yellowish ellipse surrounding the middle portions, passing
round the muzzle and superciliary, and through the length of the parietal plates as a wide band.
Below unspotted. Total length m. 166; length to rictus oris, .005; of tail, .020.
Found by Dr. Francis Sumichrast on the west side of the State of Tehuantepec, Mexico, and
sent by him to the Smithsonian Institution (No. 8).
To the above description I add that the Toluca frontalis, Cope, from Colima, is congeneric
with this species in all technical characters.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 143
102. TANTILLA ARMILLATA, Cope, sp. nov.; Tantilla melanocephala, var. Cope, Proceed. Acad.
Philada. 1871, p. 205.
Form slender; scales in fifteen longitudinal rows. Rostral plate not protube-
rant; prefontals three times as long as internasals, equalling the parietal suture
of the frontal. Frontal wide, considerably shorter than parietals. Nasals little
notched below, the posterior reaching the preocular. Seventh superior labial much
the largest; temporals 1-1, the anterior bordering the postoculars. Inferior labials
six, first pair slightly united, four in contact with geneials, fourth largest, elongate,
touching both geneials. Gastrosteges 166; anal divided ; urosteges 50.
Above chocolate-brown; head and nape for five scales, black, with a yellow spot
in the individual described, on the end of the muzzle, on the posterior part of each
parietal plate; and two on the lip behind the eye, and one below the nostril. ‘The
black is bordered behind by a yellow collar of two scales width, which is also bor-
dered by black behind except where it sends off on the third and fourth rows of
scales on each side a narrow light band which extends to the tail. Below this,
and on the median row of scales, is a narrow brown line. Below immaculate.
Middle Costa Rica; Dr. Van Patten.
The species of Tantilla may be distinguished as follows :—
I. Superior labials six; orbitals 1-1.
Muzzle produced; preorbital not in contact with superciliary nor nasal; three
longitudinal bands. T. calamarina, Cope.
Muzzle less produced; preorbital in contact with superciliary and nasal; temporal
one; three bands. T. bimaculata, Cope.*
Temporals two; no bands. T. gracilis, B. & G.
II. Superior labials seven; orbitals 1-1.
Coloration uniform. T. planiceps, Blainvy.
III. Superior labials seven; two postoculars.
a. Postnasals in contact with preocular, or nearly so.
* TANTILLA BIMACULATA, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in fifteen rows. Rostral strongly protuberant beyond mouth. Nasals little notched
below by first labial; postnasal barely or quite reaching preocular. Frontal large, longer than
suture to rostral, not presenting an angle forwards; superciliaries not reduced; parietals about
as long as the frontal. One temporal barely touching postocular; fifth upper labial highest.
Five inferior labials, first pair widely separated, only three in contact with geneials, third largest
in contact with both geneials. Gastrosteges 130; anal double; urosteges 34.
Color light brown with three darker narrow longitudinal bands. Top of head dark colored
in continuation of the middle band; on each side of the occipital plate behind a large yellow
spot. Below immaculate.
This well-marked species was found near Mazatlan by Mr. Bischoff, and is No. 6834 of the
Smithsonian Catalogue.
144 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
G. Posterior labials elevated, separated from parietals by one temporal.
Form slender; a yellow, black-bordered collar near parietal plates. T. miniata, Cope.
38. Posterior labials elevated, bounded above by two temporals.
Labials higher ; first inferior labials separate; black with wide yellow collar.
T. moesta, Gthr.
Frontal narrower; posterior labials higher; body banded. TT. melanocephala, Linn.
Frontal wider; posterior labials lower; body uniform red. T. rubra,* Cope.
GG. Posterior labials low, bounded above by two temporals.
y. Inferior labials of first pair in contact on the middle line.
Postnasal very small; collar far behind head; body banded; urosteges 51.
: T. armillata, Cope.
Postnasal large; collar crossing parietal scuta; body unicolor. T. coronata, B & G.
yy. Inferior labials separated by symphyseal.
Urosteges 67; postnasal large, bounded below by first labial; a yellow collar.
T. reticulata, Cope.
Urosteges 57; postnasal chiefly bounded by second labial; head black, no collar.
T. nigriceps, Kenn.
Urosteges 39; first labial rising to nostril; head and body uniform.
T. canula,+ Cope.
* TANTILLA RUBRA, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales poreless, in fifteen rows. Rostral plate little prominent; frontal wide, its anterior
borders longer than its superciliary, and forming together an anterior angle. Superciliaries well
developed; parietals much longer than frontal, notched behind. Nasals strongly notched below
for the first labial; the postnasal barely touching the large preocular by its angle. Last three
labials elevated, the seventh most so; temporals 1-1, the anterior in contact with postoculars.
Only six inferior labials, first pair in contact, the fourth largest, elongate, and in contact with
geneials of both pairs. Gastrosteges 149; anal divided; tail injured. Length of head and body
m. .310. Color red; top of head black, followed by a yellow collar which involves the extremi-
ties of the parietal plates, and is followed by a black collar three scales wide. A pale spot below
nostril and one on lip behind orbit. From Dr. Sumichrast, from Japana, Tehuantepec.
+ TANTILLA CANULA, Cope, sp. nov.; Tantilla vermiformis, “ Hallow.;” Cope, Proceed. Academy
Philada. 1866, p. 126.
This small species is represented by two specimens (Nos. 413 and 737) taken by Arthur
Schott in Yucatan, while attached to the Comision Scientifica under the direction of Governor
Illaregui. Comparison with four of the 7. vermiformis of Hallowell establishes the specific
difference of the two in a satisfactory manner.
Scales in fifteen rows without apical pores; muzzle rather wide, but: projecting beyond the
mouth. Internasals and prefontals narrow, transverse, frontal rather small, longer than suture
to rostral, to which it presents an angle. Superciliaries rather large; parietals longer than
frontal, notched behind. Temporals 1-1; eye over suture between third and fourth labials ;
seventh labial the largest. Postgeneials short, in contact with each other. Fourth labial below,
the largest, in contact with pre-and postgeneials. Color leaden, darker above. Head shields
with paler borders and centres. Gastrosteges 110; anal divided; urosteges 37. Total length
m. .172; of tail .037.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RIGA. 145
Urosteges 25; nasals not interrupted by first upper labial; head dark with a pale
occipital spot. T. vermiformis, Hallow.
aa. Postnasals separated from preocular by a wide space.
No loreal; last upper labial larger than sixth; body above with black and white
half-rings. T. semicincta, D. & B.
A loreal; last upper labial smaller than sixth; body with complete black and white
rings. T. atrocincta, D, & B.
103. Micropromus viraatus, Giinther, Ann. Magaz. Nat. Hist. 1872, Pl. IV.
Unknown to me.
104. Nrnra arrata, Hallow.; Streptophorus drozii, Dum. Bibr.
San José; Dr. Van Patten.
105. Ninta SEBA, D. & B.; subspecies MAcuLATA, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad. 1861, p. 924.
Subspecies TESSELLATUS, Cope.
This distinct color variety resembles the typical in squamation, as in the nine-
teen rows of scales all keeled, seven superior labials with the third and fourth
entering the orbit, and in the four lower labials in contact with the geneials. The
color above is a rosy brown, marked with numerous transverse bands of black
with zigzag borders, as the color covers entire scales. Neck of the same ground
color; head above brown. Lower surfaces black, with square ? red spots on the
gastrosteges. This portion of the coloration is quite distinct from that of the NV.
s. maculata, or other varieties.
106. ConTIA PACHYURA, Sp. nov.
Scales smooth, in seventeen longitudinal rows, generally poreless, sometimes
with one pore. Head rather elongate, rostral plate not prominent; internasals
wider than long; prefontals long as wide. Frontal rather elongate, but shorter
than the parietals. Nasals oblique; loreal large, higher than long, encroaching on
the single preocular, which does not reach the frontal. Postoculars two, smooth,
subequal; temporals 1-1. Superior labials eight, the fourth and fifth entering
orbit, the posterior rather low. Geneials equal, rather elongate. The tail is long,
entering the total length three and three-fifth times, and is thickened to near the
end. Gastrosteges 133; urosteges 50. Total length m. .335.
The color is black, the lower lateral rows of scales with a rufous shade. Scales
of the first row with gray tips. Head blackish-brown, a black line from eye above
labials; latter yellowish, unspotted. Belly yellowish, each scutum with a black
extremity.
From Sipurio.
37
146 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
This species is allied to the C. calligaster, differing in its physiognomy and
coloration as well as in some technical characters. Thus the loreal plate is larger
and differently formed, and the tail is longer and stouter. It is less than one-fifth
the length in the C. calligaster.
107. CoNTIA CALLIGASTER, Cope, sp. nov.
Form stout, head little distinct. Teeth gradually increasing in length to the
posterior, which issmooth. Scales smooth, poreless; one nasal plate, a subquadrate
loreal, one pre- and two postoculars. Muzzle narrowed; side of frontal plate longer
than the front, not reaching the preocular. Superior labials seven, third and fourth
bounding orbit; temporals 1-1-2. Inferior labials eight, fourth and fifth largest,
first barely in contact behind symphyseal. Scales acuminate, in seventeen rows.
Gastrosteges 152, anal double; the urosteges 46. Pre- and postgeneials equal.
Color above dark brown, with a narrow vertebral black band. Two lateral
paler bands, on the first and second and fourth and fifth rows of scales, the space
between black. A200
Ot hindwoote » 5 : : 5 : . : O20
Sonatibia : : : : j : ; 5 . 0085
* of tarsus : , : : : : : : . .0060
This species resembles the Lithodytes habenatus, Cope (supra, p. 109), in the
position of the vomerine teeth, but differs much in the form of the feet. In that
frog the dilatations are much smaller and the feet much longer. In the hind foot
this is chiefly due to the elongation of the fourth toe, which exceeds the third and
fifth by three and a sixth phalanges.
The Lithodytes diastema was found by Dr. Bransford at the camp Mary Caretta,
Panama.
LACERTILIA.
9. CORYTHOPHANES ORISTATUS, Merrem.
Buhio Soldado.
10. BASILISCUS GUTTULATUS, Cope, sp. noy.
Represented by a young male, which displays a number of remarkable charac-
ters. The back and median line of the tail support the membranous crest stretched
between the elongate neural spines as seen in B. plumifrons, B. mitratus, etc., but
the head-crest, instead of being covered, as in those species with large thin scales,
presents only small smooth scales like those of the occipital region. This crest is
also of smaller size than in the species named, only beginning to rise from a line
connecting the tympanic drums, although preceded by a keel to near the line of
the border of the orbits. It is not much elevated, but is prolonged chiefly back-
wards, and has a truncate posterior outline. Points in which the species differs
from the B. cristatus are, the presence of two large scuta bounding the rostral
shield above, and the presence of two large labials behind the point of junction
with the suborbital ring of scales. ‘There are only ten rays to the dorsal fin, and
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF NICARAGUA. 157
fifteen to the caudal, the latter graduating imperceptibly to the usual keel. Neither
crest is bordered at the margin with large scales. The ventral scales are entirely
smooth, while the dorsals are smaller and keeled; the lateral are smaller still.
Color olivaceous-brown above, shaded with leaden on the sides; yellowish
below. A few black spots at the base of the dorsal crest. Sides and throat with
small black spots. A black band from eye to tympanum, bordered with yellow
below. Hind legs and feet with brown, yellow-bordered cross-bands.
M.
Total length 5 5 . : : : . .455
Length to vent . : ‘ ; : : : : : ee2o
“ to axilla ? ; : , : : : : . .060
« to tympanum . : : : . : 6 : . .0380
matOROLOIt ame , , : F ; : ; : ee OZ
Width between orbits F 5 F : : : : HOG
Length of fore limb . : 3 : : 5 ‘ : - AAD
Core mimdelimityyye. : : : : ; : : > ollaXt)
eee OLehinawmooten es ; A : : : : i . 068
From camp at Buhio Soldado, Panama.
11. ANOLIS TROCHILUS, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada., 1871, p. 215.
Buhio Soldado.
12. ANOLIS PETERSII, Bocourt, Miss. Scient. Mexique, p. 79.
Station 19.
13. ANOLIS CAPITO, Peters.
Rio Frijole.
14. AMIvA pRa&sIenis, Bd. Gird.
OPHIDIA.
15. Sprnores corals, L.; subspecies MELANURUS, Dum. Bibr.
16. XENODON ANGUSTIROSTRIS, Peters.
Camp Mary Caretta.
17. SIBoN ANNULATUM, Linn.
From the Atlantic side.
18. TELEURASPIS SCHLEGEL, Berth.
From the Atlantic side.
Total number of species obtained by Dr. Bransford, eighteen.
40
changers one
ee ey
Art. VI.—Report on the Reptiles brought by Professor James Orton from the middle
and upper Amazon, and western Peru.
By E. D. Cope.
TueE following pages contain a list of the species as expressed in the above
title, including descriptions of such as have not been previously known to zoology.
A report on the Batrachia obtained by Prof. Orton has already appeared,* which
included thirty-six species; of these fourteen were believed to be new. ‘The
present list embraces seventy-four species, of which seventeen are new. The
Lacertilia number thirty-three species, the Ophidia forty-one.
The localities at which the greater number of species were obtained are:
Santarem (on the lower Amazon); Solimoens (or middle Amazon); the Marafion
(or upper Amazon) at several points, viz., near the mouth of the Napo, at Iquitos
and Nauta on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian borders; on the Huallaga between
Balsa Puerto and Moyabama, and near Moyabamba and Rioja, Peru. A few
specimens were obtained near Lake Titicaca, which represent three species, viz. :
Cyclorhamphus emaricus, Cope; Tachymenis chilensis, Schlegel; and Proctotretus
multiformis, Cope. These all belong to genera of the Pacific side of the Andes,
none of which are known from east of that range, and the Tachymenis chilensis is
the commonest snake of Chili and western Bolivia. The indications respecting
the fauna of eastern Peru furnished by Professor Orton’s collections are, that it
differs in no essential respect from that of the great Amazon valley.
The Peruvian species were mostly derived from the valley of Jequetepeque,
which extends from the Cordillera of Caxamarca to near the coast at Pacasmayo.
They are sixteen in number, and include type forms of the West Coast Fauna in
the genera Microlophus and Craniopeltis.
LACERTILIA.
LEPTOGLOSSA.
1. MABUIA CEPEDEI, Gray; Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1862, p. 186.
Nauta.
2. M&vuBIA SURINAMENSIS, Hallowell, Cope, loc. cit.
From the Marajion near the mouth of the Napo.
* Proceedings Academy Philada., 1874, p. 120.
(159 )
160 ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
3. PROPUS VERMIFORMIS, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1874, p. 70.
From Nauta. ‘
4. LEPIDOSOMA CARINICAUDATUM, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales large, angulate, strongly keeled on the back and sides; four abdominal
rows with the keel reduced to-an angle and mucro, otherwise like the dorsal scales.
The dorsals are a little larger than the ventrals, and these a little larger than the
inferior lateral. A few small scales in the groin and axilla, and above the humerus.
No granular scales on the side of the neck, but keeled scales between the arm and
ear. Nuchal scales like the dorsal; the gulars a little smaller than the ventrals,
keeled and mucronate. Four superior rows of caudal scales strongly keeled,
forming four continuous ridges. Two lateral rows weakly keeled; four inferior
series strongly keeled, forming ridges. Twenty-six oblique rows of scales between
occiput and posterior line of femora; twenty-seven between infralabials and femo-
ral pores, and twenty-one in a circle round the body. ‘Two large preanal scuta,
each flanked by a small lateral, and preceded by an oval median scale, which has
a small one on each side.
The frontonasal plate is broader than long; the prefrontals not extensively in
contact, and the frontal is twice as long as wide. The frontoparietals are largely in
contact, and the parietals and interparietals are longitudinal and subequal in size.
Two loreals, one above the other, no preoculars; five supraoculars and four supra-
orbitals. The temporal scales small, smooth; larger and keeled behind. Cranial
plates behind the prefrontals with one or two linear ridges. Three pairs of very
large infralabials, a row of granules only separating ths last pair. Eleven femoral
pores on each side. The diameter of the oval meatus auditorius is equal to that
of the eye-slit. The limbs are covered with large keeled scales, except the postero-
inferior faces of the femur and humerus, which are granulated. The limbs are
short, the anterior reaching the middle of the orbit, the posterior five-sixths the
distance to the axilla. Thumb clawed.
M.
Total length (tail partly renewed) : 2 : 5 6 5 lll)
Length to vent . 5 5 : 5 : 6 0 6 5 dE
“etoraxillag. : : 5 : 5 6 : : SUPA
Gf) CEN 6 : : : : : E . 5) DUI
Sa tOnOTD tae : : : 5 : 5 3 : . .003
Width of head at angle of jaws . . : : 6 . . 0085
Length of hind limb . ‘ : : : ; : 6 . 023
“ of hind foot . : j ; : : ; 5 sd)Lil
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 161
Color above cinnamon-brown, below yellow; sides, from ear to an indefinite
point on the tail, black, inclosing a narrow yellow band from axilla to groin.
Black on scapular region, pale bordered above. From nape to tail a median
series of small black spots. Head brown; throat yellow.
This handsome species differs from the L. scincoides of Spix in the absence of
a band of granular scales on the sides of the neck, and in the keeled scales of the
tail. The coloration is quite distinct. It differs in many specific details from the
Loxopholis rugiceps, Cope,* besides in the quadrate form of the abdominal scuta, in
which that genus differs from Lepidosoma.
From the Maranon.
5. NEUSTICURUS ECPLEOPUS, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales of the back small and flat, becoming granular on the nape. Mingled
with the former are large oval keeled scales in two separate rather irregular series
near the middle, and a double row of similar ones on each side. The sides are
thrown into vertical folds, which support mingled small and large scales. The
nape and sides of the neck are marked by rows of small round warts, of which
there are eight between the lines of the tympana.
The abdominal scales are in eight longitudinal rows, the median as broad as
long, except at the sides. There is a well-marked collar of seven scales, large in
the middle and small exteriorly. In front of this are four or five cross series of
large scales, all but the posterior composed of two scales only. The throat is
otherwise covered with round, smooth, convex scales. The preanal region is
covered with three rows of scales, the anterior two containing two each, the last
or marginal including two large, and a small median one. The limbs above are
granular, with scattered tubercles; femur and forearm in front, and tibia below,
with large scuta. Tail, with whorls of oblong scales with two keeled rows above,
which are separated by a few flat scales only.
The head scuta are the usual ones, with the omission of internasals. The
parietals are about as large as the frontoparietals, and are separated by a larger
interparietal, which projects further backwards, forming with the parietals a nearly
rectangular outline, the angle median. Four infraorbitals, five supraoculars. A
loreal and upper preocular, which cover part of canthus rostralis. Temporal
scales granular. Upper labials seven, four to the coronoid process, large, especially
the fourth; fifth subtriangular. Inferior labials four and five to coronoid, of which
some two are confluent in the typical specimen. A large postsymphyseal; four
* Proceed. Academy Phila. 1868, 305.
41
162 ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
large infralabials, of which three are in contact with the labials, and two pairs
with each other. Ear as large as eye opening. Femoral pores fifteen on each
side.
Color chocolate-brown above, showing darker spots in proper lights; below
yellow, brown speckled, except the throat and chin and lips, which are black.
Length (tail partly reproduced) . : : 3 : ; : 130
Cen touventaar : ‘ é : 6 ; : ; . 066
“ to axilla 5 é ; : : : : : . .033
“ to tympanum 4 : 5 5 p : 6 5 AUILG