Download Leptotyphlops filiformis, Socotra Island Blind Snake

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T199744A9124848
Leptotyphlops filiformis, Socotra Island Blind Snake
Assessment by: Sindaco, R., Grieco, C. & Riservato, E.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Sindaco, R., Grieco, C. & Riservato, E. 2011. Leptotyphlops filiformis. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2011: e.T199744A9124848. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20112.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Reptilia
Squamata
Leptotyphlopidae
Taxon Name: Leptotyphlops filiformis (Boulenger, 1899)
Synonym(s):
• Glauconia filiformis
• Myriopholis filiformis
Common Name(s):
• English:
Socotra Island Blind Snake
Taxonomic Notes:
Adalsteinsson et al. (2009) “provisionally assigned [the worm snakes of Socotra] to [the new genus]
Myriopholis, although their isolation on this Gondwana fragment may indicate deeper divergence”.
Because these authors never analyzed any Leptotyphlops from Socotra, pending genetic evidence on
Socotran specimens, Razzetti et al. (2011) tentatively maintain the Socotran worm snakes in the genus
Leptotyphlops in order to avoid taxonomic instability.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Data Deficient ver 3.1
Year Published:
2011
Date Assessed:
July 12, 2012
Justification:
Listed as Data Deficient as there is no information on the population status, natural history or sensitivity
to overgrazing of this very poorly-known snake.
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This snake is endemic to Socotra Island (Yemen), with an area of 3,625 km² (taken here as the extent of
occurrence). It is known from only six localities.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Yemen (Socotra)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
1
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
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Population
The population size and trend are unknown, as this species is known from fewer than 10 specimens
from six different localities.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
This is a very poorly known fossorial thread snake. Razzetti et al. (2011) found two specimens under
palm leaves on rough soil in a palm grove. Nothing is known about its reproduction, but other members
of the family are known to be oviparous.
Systems: Terrestrial
Use and Trade
There is no use or trade known for this species.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
A possible threat is the reduction of vegetation cover and the loss of soil caused by overgrazing by goats.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
No conservation actions exist at present. Further research is required in order to assess the impact that
overgrazing and habitat loss is having on its population. Creation of fenced areas would help to protect
the species' habitat.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Sindaco, R., Grieco, C. & Riservato, E.
Reviewer(s):
Bowles, P. & Cox, N.A.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
3
Bibliography
Adalsteinsson, S.A., Branch, W.R., Trapé, S., Vitt, L.J. and Hedges, S.B. 2009. Molecular phylogeny,
classification, and biogeography of snakes of the Family Leptotyphlopidae (Reptilia, Squamata). Zootaxa
2244: 1-50.
Boulenger, G.A. 1899. The expedition to Sokotra II: Descriptions of new species of reptiles. Bulletin of
the Liverpool Museum 2(1): 4-7.
Hahn, D.E. 1978. A brief review of the genus Leptotyphlops (Serpentes: Leptotyphlopidae) of Asia, with
description of a new species. Journal of Herpetology 12(4): 477-489.
IUCN. 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2011.2). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 10 November 2011).
Parker, H.W. 1949. The snakes of Somaliland and the Sokotra Islands. Zoologische Verhandelingen 6: 1115.
Razzetti, E., Sindaco, R., Grieco, C., Pella, F., Ziliani, U., Pupin, F., Riservato, E., Pellitteri-Rosa, D.,
Butikofer, L., Saeed Suleiman, A., Awadh al-Aseily, B., Carugati, C., Boncompagni, E. and Fasola, M. 2011.
Annotated checklist and distribution of the Socotran Archipelago Herpetofauna (Reptilia). Zootaxa 2826:
1-44.
Rösler, H. and Wranik, W. 2004. A key and annotated checklist to the reptiles of the Socotra archipelago.
Fauna of Arabia 20: 505-534.
Rösler, H. and Wranik, W. 2006. The reptiles of Socotra archipelago with special remarks on the slender
blind snakes (Leptotyphlopidae: Leptotyphlops). In: M. Vences, J. Köhler, T. Ziegler and W. Böhme (eds),
13th Congress of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica, pp. 125-128.
Schätti, B. and Desvoignes, A. 1999. The Herpetofauna of Southern Yemen and the Sokotra Archipelago.
Museum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva.
Steindachner, F. 1903. Batrachier und Reptilien aus Sudarabien und Sokotra, gesammelt wahrend der
sudarabische Expedition der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Sitzungsberichte der
Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschften, Mat.-Naturw. kl., Wien 112: 7-14.
Citation
Sindaco, R., Grieco, C. & Riservato, E. 2011. Leptotyphlops filiformis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2011: e.T199744A9124848. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20112.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
3. Shrubland -> 3.5. Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
-
Suitable
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations
-
Suitable
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming
& ranching -> 2.3.2. Small-holder grazing, ranching or
farming
Ongoing
Whole (>90%)
Unknown
Unknown
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Occur in at least one PA: No
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
Additional Data Fields
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
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Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 24
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 3625
Lower elevation limit (m): 0
Upper elevation limit (m): 750
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Leptotyphlops filiformis – published in 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199744A9124848.en
6
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™