INTRODUCTION 



Compiling a bibliography which spans over two and a half 

 centuries and includes scholarly works from a score of countries 

 is both time-consuming and rewarding. I began accumulating 

 references on neotropical vine snakes of the genus Oxybelis in 

 1965 when I was a student at Louisiana State University. My 

 initial reference was Bogert and Oliver's 1945: "A Preliminary 

 Analysis of the Herpetofauna of Sonora." 



Five species make up the genus Oxybelis Wagler. These are: 0. 

 aeneus, 0. argenteus , 0. boulengeri , 0. brevirostris , and 0. 

 fulgidus . The species of the genus are distributed from the 

 extreme southwestern United States (Arizona), south through 

 tropical Mexico and Central America, to Brazil, Bolivia, and 

 Peru in South America. The southern limits of the range are 

 poorly known. 



This bibliography lists known references to the genus, to 

 recognized species of the genus, and to all junior synonyms. 

 Publications mentioning species erroneously placed within 

 Oxybelis and now assigned elsewhere are likewise cited. A few 

 titles which mention no specific Oxbelis taxa but which are 

 considered particularly relevant to their taxonomy are also 

 included. In this latter category are several papers which have 

 been used in the literature to establish priority dates for 

 determining seguences of synonyms of Oxybelis taxa. 



Although some subjective interpretations are necessary, Seba 

 (1735) and Schuechzer (1735a and/or 1735b) may be the earliest 

 references to these snakes of which I am aware. By the mid- 

 1800 's, a considerable literature existed. Brief commentaries 

 on distribution, locality records, or anatomy made up the bulk 

 of this. Papers on snakes of the genus Oxybelis have increased 

 in recent decades and considerably more detailed studies have 

 occasionally appeared. 



Although more recent titles have been added, intensive 

 literature searching ceased in November of 1989. Omissions from 

 this list may be due to my having overlooked citations or not 

 having had the opportunity to verify sources in time for 

 inclusion herein. The bibliography is reasonably comprehensive 

 and it should prove a useful tool for anyone working with these 

 snakes. 



Over the years, many persons have assisted me in searching the 

 literature, in translating non-English papers, and in 

 interpreting older literature. Others have helped by calling my 

 attention to papers in less prominent journals. To list their 

 names at this time would undoubtedly result in unintended 

 omissions of oversight. Nevertheless, I extend my thanks to all 

 who have been of assistance. I am especially grateful to two 

 persons who were particularly helpful during the final stages of 



