Julia's ground snake (Erythrolamprus juliae) is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe. There are three subspecies.

Etymology The specific name, juliae, is in honor of Julia Cope Collins (1866–1959), who was the only child of American herpetologist Edward Drinker Cope, the describer of this species. (Liophis juliae, p. 137)

Classification Erythrolamprus juliae belongs to the genus Erythrolamprus, which contains over 50 species. The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae. The relationships of Erythrolamprus species located in northern South America can be shown in the cladogram below, based on molecular DNA analysis:

Subspecies The following three subspecies have been described. Erythrolamprus juliae copeae Erythrolamprus juliae juliae Erythrolamprus juliae mariae

The nominate subspecies, E. j. juliae, is endemic to Dominica, where it may be found everywhere but the highest elevations. E. j. copeae is found on numerous islands in the Guadeloupean archipelago, while E. j. mariae is restricted to the Guadeloupean island of Marie-Galante.

The relative rareness of this species in Guadeloupe is attributed to the presence of the mongoose, which is absent from Dominica.

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Erythrolamprus.

Description E. juliae can reach half a meter (20 inches) in total length (including tail). Its coloration is typically white or yellowish flecks on a glossy dark ground color, but some individuals are uniformly dark.

Diet Julia's ground snake preys upon insects, frogs, and lizards.

Defensive behavior E. juliae is harmless to humans, but may release a foul-smelling cloacal secretion if provoked.

References

Further reading

(Leimadophis mariae, new species, p. 340) ("Aporophis juliæ ", new species, pp. 274–275)

(Dromicus juliae copeae, new subspecies)

(Liophis juliae, p. 623) (Dromicus juliae, p. 182)

External links