Notes on the occurrence of snakes Thamnodynastes pallidus and T. hypoconia (Dipsadidae) in Maranhão state, northeast Brazil

Abstract

We present here observations on records of the snakes Thamnodynastes pallidus and T. hypoconia in eastern Amazon, made during field sampling. Specimens of  both species were collected at Arari municipality, Maranhão state lowland (“Baixada Maranhense”) region, northeast Brazil, on a fluvial plain characterized by a mosaic of extensive natural floodplains, open vegetation and small forest remnants, as well as anthropic areas. The record of T. hypoconia is the second one of the species in Maranhão state and the first one in the eastern Amazon domain; it also fills a gap on the species distribution in the state. Pholidosis, color and morphometry of specimens are described.