cryptic species within the dendrophidion vinitor complex in middle ...

SPECIES IN THE DENDROPHIDION VINITOR COMPLEX N Cadle 195
Figure 4. A typical posterior body pattern of Dendrophidion
vinitor (AMNH R-66845). Section is from the posterior third of
the body. The vertebral row is marked by a whitish line
punctuated with larger blotches at the position of pale
crossbands which, on the posterior body, are mainly restricted
to a dorsolateral position and heavily invested with
dark pigment.
Fig. 3B). Venter yellowish to whitish and
immaculate except for lateral dark pigment.
Most juveniles have more distinct pale
crossbands on the posterior body than do
adults, and in general, their patterns are
more contrasting than those in adults
(Fig. 3D).
Distribution (Fig. 5). Central Veracruz
state, Mexico, eastward to southeastern
Guatemala and southern Belize. Dendrophidion
vinitor occurs on the Atlantic and
Pacific versants of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec
but otherwise appears to be restricted
to the Atlantic versant. The northernmost
record is from Las Minas, Veracruz (Pérez-
Higareda and Smith, 1991), assuming I have
identified the locality correctly. Recorded
elevations for specimens I examined are
lowland (,100 m) to about 800 m on the
slopes of Volcán San Martín in southern
Veracruz (most localities 400–600 m), with
the single Belize specimen from slightly
higher, between 940 and 1,035 m (see
Appendix 2, Little Quartz Ridge).
Several historical records of D. vinitor
deserve comment because they document
localities from which no recent specimens
are available. Dugés (1892; ‘‘Dendrophidium
dendrophis’’) gave a detailed description and
color illustration of a specimen from Motzorongo,
Veracruz, which leaves little doubt
about its identity as D. vinitor. Specimens
from Guatemala are scarce, and I am aware
of only two specimens obtained since the
holotype was collected in 1939 (Appendix 1),
despite considerable biological inventory of
that country (e.g., Duellman, 1963; Stuart,
1963; Campbell, 1998). There has been
controversy about the origin and identity of
several specimens obtained in Guatemala
during the 19th century (see synonymy
under the names Drymobius dendrophis
and Dendrophidion dendrophis).
Duméril et al. (1870–1909: 730–732)
reported a specimen obtained by Arthur
Morelet from ‘‘Peten’’ and two others (‘‘seen
alive,’’ collector not indicated) from ‘‘Vera
Figure 5. Distribution of Dendrophidion vinitor in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. A few symbols represent multiple
contiguous localities. Arrow indicates the type locality.
Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology harv-160-04-01.3d 11/4/12 19:58:47 195