{"id":3136,"date":"2020-01-18T17:31:40","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T17:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/?page_id=3136"},"modified":"2020-02-04T19:40:05","modified_gmt":"2020-02-04T19:40:05","slug":"lytorhynchus_diadema","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/ficha\/lytorhynchus_diadema\/","title":{"rendered":"Species page of Lytorhynchus diadema"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Awl-headed Snake
\nLytorhynchus diadema<\/span>\u00a0(Dum\u00e9ril, Bibron & Dum\u00e9ril, 1854)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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By\u00a0Gabriel Mart\u00ednez del M\u00e1rmol Mar\u00edn<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Updated:\u00a023\/02\/2015<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Taxonomy:\u00a0Serpentes\u00a0|\u00a0Colubridae\u00a0|\u00a0Lytorhynchus\u00a0|\u00a0Lytorhynchus diadema<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Lytorhynchus
Lytorhynchus diadema. Tarfaya (Morocco). Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Range<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0Lytorhynchus diadema<\/span><\/p>\n

Distribution map of
\nLytorhynchus diadema<\/span>
\nin Morocco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Gallery: 3 photos.\u00a0[ENTER]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Phylogenetic frame<\/h2>\n

Although the phylogenetic relationships within\u00a0Lytorhynchus<\/span>\u00a0Peters, 1862 based on DNA sequences are not known yet, of the six recognized species in the genus\u00a0Lytorhynchus<\/span>,\u00a0Lytorhynchus diadema<\/span>\u00a0is the most widely distributed and a great genetic variability could be expected.<\/p>\n

It\u00b4s represented in Morocco by the nominal subspecies (Bons & Geniez, 1996).<\/p>\n

Description<\/h2>\n

It\u00b4s a small sixed snake with 30-40cm, maximum 45cm (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996; Trape & Man\u00e9, 2006).<\/p>\n

The head is ovaled, slightly distinct from neck. It has medium sized eyes with round pupil. The rostral scale is the best distinctive of this snake, large, projecting and very development, adapted to burrow habits. One or two preoculars (rarely three; Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996). 7-8 supralabials, the 5 usually in contact with the eye, sometimes the 4 and 5 (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996; Trape & Man\u00e9, 2006).<\/p>\n

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\"Head
Head of Lytorhynchus diadema showing the distinctive rostral scale. Tarfaya (Morocco). Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The body is cylindrical, with 19 rows of smooth scales at midbody. It has between 155-195 ventral scales, 33-47 subcaudal scales (paired). Anal divided. Tail relatively short (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996; Trape & Man\u00e9, 2006).<\/p>\n

The back-ground coloration is variable, from cream to orange and redish brown, usually with sand coloration. It has a dark mark in the head in form of circle or similar form with sometimes a mark inside of the back-ground coloration. It also has an oblique bar on each side of the head passing below and behind eyes. In the dorsal area with dark marks in form of rectangle or romb, smaller in the flanks, all of them interspersed with light trasverse marks. Ventral area of uniform clear coloration.<\/p>\n

Ecology and habits<\/h2>\n

Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal species (Trape & Man\u00e9, 2006; pers. Obs.), although it has been observed basking during morning (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996).<\/p>\n

In some Algeria places realize a strict hibernation (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996). In Morocco coastal places must have a lower activity during the cold months and in the rest of its distribution could realize a diapause.<\/p>\n

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\"Lytorhynchus
Lytorhynchus diadema in habitat. Tarfaya (Morocco). Photo: \u00a9 Baudilio Rebollo Fern\u00e1ndez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

There isn\u00b4t information about sexuality in this species. But bigger movements of adult individuals have been seen in april-may so this could be the mating season.<\/p>\n

It\u00b4s a very adapted burrower that look for preys in the sand. The known preys are in genus\u00a0Tarentola<\/span>,\u00a0Acanthodactylus<\/span>,\u00a0Mesalina<\/span>,\u00a0Psammodromus<\/span>,\u00a0Stenodactylus<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Chalcides<\/span>. Sometimes also eats in small mammals and arthropods (Schleich\u00a0et al<\/em>., 1996).<\/p>\n

Distribution, habitat and abundance<\/h2>\n

In Morocco and Western Sahara the species is known from some areas of the Saharan areas and punctually in arid areas (Bons & Geniez, 1996; Geniez\u00a0et al<\/em>., 2004).<\/p>\n

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\"Habitat
Habitat of Lytorhynchus diadema. Tarfaya (Morocco). Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Although it\u00b4s also found in stony areas and bord of oueds, it\u00b4s more common in sandy areas like coastal dunes or sand banks (Bons & Geniez, 1996; Geniez\u00a0et al<\/em>., 2004).<\/p>\n

It\u00b4s locally abundant in sand areas like coastal sand areas close Tarfaya and are not known specific problems in this species, considered at low risk of extinction (Little risk\/less concern; LR-lc; Geniez\u00a0et al<\/em>., 2004).<\/p>\n

References<\/h3>\n