A new species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from the central hills of Sri Lanka

Researchers have identified a new species of uropeltid snake, Rhinophis roshanpererai, from the central highlands of Sri Lanka. This discovery, based on three specimens from Badulla District, distinguishes the species by its unique dorsal scale rows, ventral scales, and color pattern lacking pale stripes. It also features a very small tail shield with four or three prominent spines. The new species likely has a restricted range, confined to similar habitats and elevations in the central highlands. This brings the total nominal species of Rhinophis to 20, with four of the 16 Sri Lankan species having been described since 2009.

WICKRAMASINGHE, L. J. M., VIDANAPATHIRANA, D. R., RAJEEV, M. D. G., & GOWER, D. J. (2017). A new species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from the central hills of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa, 4263(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.7