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Apostolepis albicollaris and A. cerradoensis are two Elapomorphini snake species, described within a short timespan, from the Cerrado of central Brazil. In their brief descriptions, these two species were diagnosed from congeners largely based on highly variable external morphological characters. Interestingly enough, A. cerradoensis has remained known based on a single specimen since its description. Here, we present a reanalysis of both type specimens, as well as a careful examination of a large series of specimens formerly assigned to these species, based on the comparison of internal and external morphology. We conclude that both species are synonymous, providing evidence for the recognition of A. cerradoensis as a junior synonym of A. albicollaris. Furthermore, an account of its updated diagnosis, morphological variation, geographic distribution, hemipenial morphology, phylogenetic relationships and an osteological description are also provided. We also discuss its conservation status, suggesting that the species is under threat and qualifies to be listed as Vulnerable (VU ab(iii)), considering its rarity, small geographic range, and persistent environmental threats.
The amerophidian snake radiation is a Late Cretaceous superfamily that encompasses two families: Aniliidae, pipe snakes, and Tropidophiidae, dwarf boas. We describe a new dwarf boa snake species, from the Tropidophiidae family, from the cloud forest in northeastern Ecuador. Tropidophis cacuangoae sp. nov. can be diagnosed from its congeners based on external and osteological morphology. The new species inhabits eastern tropical piedmont and lower evergreen montane forests, in the Amazon Tropical Rainforest biome, and is likely to be an Ecuadorian endemic. We also discuss the relationships of the new species with South American tropidophiids and provide a key to the identification of mainland South American dwarf boas.