A new species of threadsnake in the genus Myriopholis (Squamata: Scolecophidia: Leptotyplophidae) from southeastern Kenya

Abstract

A new threadsnake species from the family Leptotyphlopidae, Myriopholis mackayi sp. nov., is described from the Tsavo area in southeastern Kenya. Myriopholis mackayi sp. nov. is a member of the Myriopholis longicauda group on the basis of having a low number of middorsal scales, a discrete frontal shield, a rounded snout, a small anterior supralabial, a moderate posterior supralabial, semilunar cloacal shield, and pinkish colouration in life (brown dorsum and tan venter after preservation). The species is known from a xeric habitat at moderate elevation. It is highly recommended that future phylogenetic work is done to establish its taxonomic relations to other leptotyphlopids.