Typhlops agoralionis Thomas & Hedges, 2007, new species
Creators: name: Thomas, Richard
name: Hedges, Blair
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2007
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Reptilia
Squamata
Typhlopidae
Typhlops
Typhlops agoralionis

description: Typhlops agoralionis new species (Fig. 3 C)
Holotype: USNM 564777 (field tag number 191925), collected 8.0 km S Marché Léon, 435 m, Dépt. de la Grande Anse, Haiti, on 28 May 1991, by S. B. Hedges, M. Leal, N. Plummer, R. Thomas.
Paratypes: USNM 564778–564782, same data as holotype.
Diagnosis: This is a moderate sized 20­scale­row species of Typhlops having no posterior reduction. Typhlops agoralionis is sympatric with T. hectus and differs from that species in having a narrow, nearly parallel­sided rostral, in contrast to the clavate rostral of T. hectus that widens towards the tip (Fig. 6). The rostral difference also is reflected in lower, essentially non­overlapping, RW1/RL1 values (0.41–0.45 versus 0.45– 0.64). It also has a large, broadly rounded anterior projection of the preocular and a shorter, more steeply angled suture between the preocular and the second supralabial; this is in contrast to the preocular of T. hectus which is V­shaped and pointed (Fig. 6). The rostral wide point of T. agoralionis is smaller and does not overlap with that of T. hectus (0.14–0.32 versus 0.41–0.70). The edges of the posterior nasals flanking the rostral are parallel­side or slightly divergent. Typhlops agoralionis is also a shorter­tailed species (TL/TA 27–31, males) than either T. hectus or T. proancylops (TL/TA 20–24, males). Heavy pigmentation with pigment on the facial region and on the body extends irregularly across the venter, although the ventral pigmentation is lighter by virtue of both lessened intensity and dropping out of scales. Typhlops agoralionis is generally more similar to T. proancylops than to T. hectus but differs from T. proancylops in having a more straight­sided, somewhat narrower rostral and in the anterior extension of the preocular being rounded rather than with breaks (Fig. 3); the apical diameter averages larger (Fig. 6 D) and the suture length between the preocular and third labial scale is shorter (Fig. 6 E) in T. agoralionis versus T. proancylops.
Description: Rostral narrow in dorsal aspect (RW1/RL1 0.40–0.45), parallel to slightly hastate, with widest point anterior to the middle and tapering to the tip; labial flare 0.65–0.75. The preocular angle is 45–53o, with a broadly rounded apex (apical diameter 10–25 mm); lower portion contacting only the 3rd of the upper labials in a relatively short, steeply angled suture. The ocular length is approximately 1/2 height; sinuosity 0.19–0.09. The rostronasal pattern is parallel. There are two postoculars (cycloid). The first parietal is standard, spanning two scale rows; the second is present and equal in size to first or slightly narrower. TL 139– 193 (= 168) mm, excluding a 107 mm juvenile. TL/TA: males 27–31, female 30. TL/MBD 31–39. Middorsal scales 291–310 (= 300). Scale rows 20–20. Coloration very pale brown above, fading gradually onto venter by lightening and dropping out of scales, pigmented scales irregularly continuing across the venter, more so anteriorly; the rostral is largely unpigmented, but the flanking upper wing of the posterior nasal and the preocular are both pigmented. Hemipenes are trumpet­shaped with a flat apex and no rim; the sulcus spermaticus enters the organ medially, spirals posteriorly then laterally for 1/4 turn and proceeds to the apex of the organ.
Distribution: Known only from the type locality (435 m) on the north slope of the Massif de la Hotte in the distal part of the Tiburon Peninsula.
Etymology: From the Greek, agora, market place, and Latin, lionis (genitive), lion, in reference to the town of Marché Léon, whence the type locality is reckoned, and may be more or less rendered “of the lion of the marketplace.”
Another new species from the distal Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti may be known as
description: Published as part of Thomas, Richard & Hedges, Blair, 2007, Eleven new species of snakes of the genus Typhlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Hispaniola and Cuba, pp. 1-26 in Zootaxa 1400 on pages 9-10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.175414