Part 10

Individuals were found beneath logs on the forest floor or moving about in the litter on the forest floor. One was observed crawling across a trail during a heavy rain. In some adults the tan dorsal spots are large and distinct; in others the spots are small and indistinct. Two juveniles, apparently recent hatchlings, were found on June 28 and July 5. These specimens have snout-vent lengths of 29 mm. and tail lengths of 38 and 41 mm.

=Eumeces schwartzei= Fischer

Chinaja, 1.

One specimen (KU 59551) was found on the forest floor at midday; it is an adult female having a snout-vent length of 125 mm. and a tail length of 210 mm. This specimen is larger than those recorded by Taylor (1936:99) and extends the known range of the species south of Ramate, approximately 125 kilometers south-south-westward to Chinaja.

=Eumeces sumichrasti= (Cope)

20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1.

One adult male having a snout-vent length of 82 mm. was found beneath a palm frond on the forest floor. In life the dorsum was dull brown; the chin was cream; the belly was yellow, and the underside of the tail was orange. A juvenile having a black body, yellow dorsal stripes, and a bright blue tail was observed on the forest floor.

=Scincella cherriei cherriei= (Cope)

Chinaja, 2; 30 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1; Toocog, 1.

All individuals of this lizard were found in the leaf litter on the forest floor; many escaped capture. In life the tail is dull bluish gray. The number of dorsal scales varies from 59 to 61 (average 60); thus, these specimens fall within the range of variation of S. cherriei cherriei, and thereby differ from S. cherriei stuarti to the west and S. cherriei ixbaac to the north.

=Ameiva festiva edwardsi= Bocourt

Chinaja, 16; 15 km. NW of Chinaja, 10; Sayache, 4; Toocog, 1.

This abundant terrestrial lizard, locally called lagartijo, is found throughout the forest. A juvenile obtained on March 14 at Sayaxche has a snout-vent length of 42 mm. and a prominent umbilical scar. Other juveniles were observed at Chinaja in February and March, thereby indicating that the young probably hatch in the early part of the year. Juveniles have bright blue tails.

=Celestus rozellae= Smith

20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 2.

Two specimens were obtained from trees by workmen in February. These lizards have snout-vent lengths of 70 and 83 mm. and tail lengths of 133 and 135 mm. There are 21 and 23 lamellae beneath the fourth toe; each has 31 longitudinal rows of scales around the body.

=Boa constrictor imperator= Daudin

15 km. NW of Chinaja, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 2; Toocog, 1.

All specimens were found on the forest floor. One individual was found in combat with a large Drymarchon corais melanurus. Apparently, the Drymarchon was attempting to devour the Boa, which had a total length of 1683 mm. Locally this snake is called masacuata; it is one of the few snakes believed by the local inhabitants to be non-poisonous.

=Clelia clelia clelia= Daudin

15 km. NW of Chinaja, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinaja, 1.

One specimen is represented only by the head; the snake was killed on the forest floor by workmen. Another individual was found in a pool of water at the base of a limestone outcropping in the forest; this specimen (KU 58167) is a female having a body length of 2220 mm. and a total length of 2634 mm. This snake contained 22 ova averaging 56 x 23 mm. Both specimens were uniform shiny black above and cream-color below. The local name is sumbadora.

=Coniophanes bipunctatus bipunctatus= (Guenther)

Chinaja, 1.

This snake was found on the forest floor by day; it is a male having 130 ventrals, an incomplete tail; cream-colored belly, and a pair of large brown spots on each ventral scute.

=Coniophanes fissidens fissidens= (Guenther)

Toocog, 1.

This male specimen was found beneath a rock in a sink hole. It has 122 ventrals and 77 caudals. A narrow temporal stripe extends along the upper edge of the anterior temporal and the lower edge of the upper secondary temporal. The belly is ashy white with a pair of small black spots on each ventral.