Vol. 9. pp. 23-24

Asiatic Herpetological Research

2001

The First Record of Ptyas korros (Co\ubr\dae) from Bangladesh
M. Farid Ahsan and Shayla Parvin
1

Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh,e-mail: mfahsan@ctgu.edu

Abstract.- This is the first report of Ptyas korros from Bangladesh. The specimens reported here were collectedfrom the Cittagong University campus between the years of 1985 and 1996. They match previously described
specimens of Ptyas korros except in the number of loreal scales. Ptyas korros is known to occur in the Assamregion of India and so its presence in adjacent regions of Bangladesh is expected, but unconfirmed until now.

Key words.- Serpentes, Colubridae, Ptyas korros, Bangladesh, distribution, biogeography

CU Campus [CUC] between 1985 andThe number of species of snakes occurring in Bang-collected fromladesh is still debatable because of the lack of confir-

1996, and one not known but possibly from CUC) ofmation of some species. However, lists have been
compiled based on a number of field studies conducted in different parts of the country. Sarker (1975)

P.

recorded 20 species, Montaquim (1979) reported 18species, Montaquim et al. (1980) recorded 28 species

korros were found (Fig.

1).

Until now, nobody hasreported the occurrence of P. korros in Bangladesh,although Husain (1977) predicted it. Its known range
extends from Assam (India) through Myanmar

and Rashid (1982) recorded 22 species from Bang-(Burma) to Indo-China, Thailand, throughout the Tenasserim to the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia (Sumatra,Whereas Khan (1982) estimated the snakes

Java, Borneo), Southern China including Hainan, Tai-species of the country as 78 and he later reported 79species in 1987 and 81 species in 1992 (of which thewan and Hong Kong (cf. Giinther, 1864; Smith, 1943;
Zhao & Adler 1993). The occurrence of P. korros in

occurrence of two are doubtful). Sarker and Sarker

the CUC, Chittagong, extends its distribution to Bang-(1988) reported 88 species, although some are uncertain. This report established the presence of one spe-country such as Jamalpur, Greater Sylhet, Chittagong,cies, Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837).

Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Khagracheri andladesh.

During the identification of the snake species preserved in the Departmental Museum of Zoology, Chit-tagongUniversity(CU),fourspecimens(threeladesh.

Itmight also occur

innearby parts of theBandarbans Districts).

The specimens from the CUC are olive brownabove and yellowish white below. The scales on theposterior part of the dorsal side of the body are edged
with a dark brown pattern (looking black) producing a

regular network pattern. The outer margins of the ventrals and caudals are also sometimes edged with darkbrown (less dark than the dorsal color). The colorationof the CUC specimens resembles the P. korros speci-mens described by Smith (1943). Smith (1943) diagnoses P. korros from Ptyas muscosus by the numberof dorsal scale rows (15 in P. korros vs. 16 or 17 in P.

muscosus) and the number of ventral scales (160-187
in P. korros vs. 190-213 in P. muscosus). The CUC
specimens have 15 dorsal scale rows and 177-188
ventral scales. They differ from P. korros specimens
described by Giinther (1864) in the number of lorealscales. Giinther reported two loreals, but three of thefour

CUC specimens have only one loreal.

Literature Cited

5 cm
Figure1.

Specimen of Ptyas korros from Chittagong

University Campus.

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pp + XXVI plates.

Asiatic Herpetological ResearchVol. 9, p. 24

2001

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