Synophis lasallei (NICÉFORO-MARIA, 1950) (SQUAMATA: COLUBRIDAE): NEW RECORD AND FILLING A DISTRIBUTION GAP IN THE CORDILLERA ORIENTAL OF COLOMBIA

Abstract

Synophis is a genus of neotropical snakes distributed in Colombia, Ecuador, and Perú that remains poorly studied due to the cryptic habits of the species. S. lasallei is a small snake with disperse records on both slopes of the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia and recently has been found in the Cordillera Central. During a herpetology survey conducted in the western slope of the Cordillera Oriental, department of Huila, Colombia, I found an individual of S. lasallei inside a rotten log and the individual was preserved. This record fills a geographic gap of 401 km in the distribution of the species along the western slope of the aforementioned Cordillera. According to this report this species might be distributed along the entire extension of the Cordillera Oriental and Central but has not been extensively reported because it cryptic habits. Moreover, this report contributes to a better comprehension on the distribution of one little known snake.