CHAPTER XXVIII: SMALL, MISCELLANEOUS 

 KEELED-SCALED SERPENTS 



THE GENERA CLONOPHIS, TROPIDOCLONIUM, SEMINATRIX AND 



LIODYTES 



THE four genera embraced in this chapter seem to be 

 most nearly related to the natracine snakes the water snakes 

 and striped snakes. As each of the genera contains a single 

 species, they are readily separated, thus: 



*Si%e small. 



JScales heavily keeled. 



Ventral plate divided. Head not distinct. 



Pattern in transverse blotches. 



Genus Clonophis C. kirtlandi. 

 Distribution. Central States. 

 Ventral plate entire. Head not distinct. 

 Brown, with three pale stripes. 



Genus Tropidoclonium T. lineatum. 

 Distribution. Central States. 

 JJBody scales smooth; scales on the tail keeled. 

 Lustrous black; a faint line in the centre of each scale; 

 abdomen red. 



Genus Seminatrix 5. pygcea. 

 Distribution. Florida. 

 **Si?e moderate. 



Dark brown; a yellowish band on each side; abdomen 

 yellow. 



Genus Liodytes L. alleni. 

 Distribution. Florida. 



Detailed descriptions: 



The Genus Clonophis: This genus is closely related to Tropi- 

 donotus. It contains a single species. The scales are in 19 

 rows; all are strongly keeled. 



KIRTLAND'S SNAKE 

 Clonophis kirtlandi, (Kenn.) 



Size rather small. Body stout; head not distinct from 

 neck. Looks much like a small Tropidonotus , in general out- 

 lines. 



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