Uropeltis woodmasoni

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	UROPELTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Uropeltis woodmasoni

Species Authority:

(Theobald, 1876)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Palni Uropeltis, Woodmason's Earth Snake

Synonym/s:

Silybura nigra Beddome 1878

Silybura wood-masoni Theobald, 1876

Taxonomic Notes:

Rajendran (1985) is not convinced that this is a distinct species from Uropeltis smithi Gans, 1966.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	Gower, D.J.
Reviewer/s:	Böhm, M., Collen, B. & Ram, M. (Sampled Red List Index Coordinating Team)
Contributor/s:	De Silva, R., Milligan, H.T., Wearn, O.R., Wren, S., Zamin, T., Sears, J., Wilson, P., Lewis, S., Lintott, P. & Powney, G.
Justification: Uropeltis woodmasoni has been assessed as Least Concern because it has been reported as common throughout its range and it is tolerant of a range of habitats, including garden environments. Further research is required into the taxonomy and threats to this species.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species inhabits the Anaimalai, Palni, and Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, and the Tinnevelly Hills of Kerala (Smith 1943). This species is distributed over approximately 18,636 km². Rajendran (1985) states that this species occurs in the Palni Hills at altitudes greater than 1,860 m above sea level.
Countries:	Native: India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Sharma (2003) states that this species is common.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This fossorial species inhabits moist soils, primarily in moist montane evergreen forests. Rajendran (1985) reports that it is also found in gardens.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is unknown whether this species is being impacted by any major threats. This species is found within a habitat that is threatened by high rates of deforestation and habitat change, however, the impact of these threats on this species is unknown. The fossorial nature of this species means it is often able to tolerate the alteration of primary to agricultural habitat, especially when agricultural practices maintain shade and soil moisture levels (D. Gower pers. comm.).

Major Threat(s):

It is unknown whether this species is being impacted by any major threats. This species is found within a habitat that is threatened by high rates of deforestation and habitat change, however, the impact of these threats on this species is unknown. The fossorial nature of this species means it is often able to tolerate the alteration of primary to agricultural habitat, especially when agricultural practices maintain shade and soil moisture levels (D. Gower pers. comm.).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for for this species. Further research into the taxonomic status of this species is needed due to uncertainty about its separate species status from Uropeltis smithi. Additional research into population numbers and threats of this species is recommended in order to establish whether the threats present in its restricted range are significantly affecting this species.

Conservation Actions:

There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for for this species. Further research into the taxonomic status of this species is needed due to uncertainty about its separate species status from Uropeltis smithi. Additional research into population numbers and threats of this species is recommended in order to establish whether the threats present in its restricted range are significantly affecting this species.

Citation:	Gower, D.J. 2010. Uropeltis woodmasoni. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 May 2013.
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