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Colubridae (colubrid snake)

Reptilia - Colubridae

Taxonomy
Colubridae was named by Oppel (1811). It is extant.

It was assigned to Ophidia by Zittel (1890); to Ophidia by Gadow (1898) and Perrier (1928); to Colubriformia by Kuhn (1946); to Colubroidea by Kuhn (1966); to Alethinophidia by Szyndlar (1987) and Venczel and Stiuca (2008); to Squamata by Böhme (2008); to Serpentes by Hay (1930) and Hugues-Alexandre et al. (2013); to Serpentes by Cernansky et al. (2015); to Caenophidia by Cirilli et al. (2016); to Colubroidea by Oppel (1811), Cope (1871), Cope (1875), Rage (1984), Carroll (1988), Fernicola and Albino (2012), Smith (2013) and Ikeda et al. (2016); to Serpentes by Hay (1902), Frank and Ramus (1996) and de Lapparent de Broin et al. (2020); and to Caenophidia by Villa et al. (2020).

Subtaxa
Abastor, Aglypha, Alsophis, Apostolepis, Bascanium, Carphophis, Cemophora, Chilomeniscus, Chionactis, Coluber owenii, Colubrinae, Coniophanes, Contia, Cyclophis, Dakotaophis, Dendrelaphis, Dipsadinae, Dromicus, Dryinoides, Drymarchon, Eutaenia, Farancia, Gyalopion, Haldea, Helicops, Hierophis, Hispanophis, Homalopsinae, Hypsiglena, Leioheterodon, Lodia, Lycodon, Malpolon, Mionatrix, Naja sauvagei, Natricinae, Ophibolus, Opisthoglypha, Osceola, Palaelaphis, Palaeomalpolon, Palaeonatrix (syn. Dolniceophis), Paleofarancia, Pantherophis, Paraoxybelis, Phimothyra, Pollackophis, Proteroglypha, Pseudoboa, Pseudocemophora, Pylmophis, Rhinechis, Rhinocheilus, Scaptophis, Sibon, Sonora, Spilotes, Storeria, Tachyophis, Tantilla, Thamnophis (syn. Chilopoma), Tretanorhinus, Trimorphodon, Tropidoclonium, Tropidonotus, Xenodontinae, Zamenis

Synonyms
Synonymy list
YearName and author
1811Colubridae Oppel
1844Coluber owenii Meyer p. 331
1871Colubridae Cope p. 238
1875Colubridae Cope p. 22
1880Naja sauvagei Rochebrune
1880Scaptophis Rochebrune
1880Scaptophis miocenicus Rochebrune
1884Palaelaphis De Rochebrune
1884Palaelaphis antiquus De Rochebrune
1884Palaelaphis robustus De Rochebrune
1884Pylmophis De Rochebrune
1884Pylmophis gracilis De Rochebrune
1884Tachyophis De Rochebrune
1884Tachyophis nitidus De Rochebrune
1888Elaphis oweni Lydekker p. 252
1890Colubridae Zittel p. 630
1898Colubridae Gadow p. 28
1902Colubridae Hay p. 480
1928Colubridae Perrier p. 3103
1930Colubridae Hay p. 269
1946Colubridae Kuhn p. 62
1966Colubridae Kuhn p. 66
1984Colubridae Rage p. 42
1984Coluber owenii Rage p. 44
1987Colubridae Szyndlar p. 60
1988Colubridae Carroll
1996Colubridae Frank and Ramus
2008Colubridae Böhme p. 169
2008Colubridae Venczel and Stiuca p. 755
2012Colubridae Fernicola and Albino
2013Colubridae Hugues-Alexandre et al. p. 811
2013Colubridae Smith p. 172
2015Colubridae Cernansky et al. p. 115
2016Colubridae Cirilli et al. p. 22
2016Colubridae Ikeda et al. p. 146
2020Colubridae Villa et al.
2020Colubridae de Lapparent de Broin et al. p. 420

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
—Tetrapoda
RankNameAuthor
—Reptiliomorpha
—Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
—Squamata()
suborderOphidia(Latreille 1804)
—Serpentes(Linnaeus 1758)
familyColubridae
familyColubridae

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Fm. Colubridae Oppel 1811 [colubrid snake]
show all | hide all
G. Abastor Gray 1849
Unr. Aglypha Duméril
+
Invalid names: Coronellinae [empty], Dendrophidae [empty], Lycodontinae [empty], Rachiodontinae [empty], Tropidonotinae [empty]
G. Alsophis Fitzinger 1843
+
G. Apostolepis Cope 1862 [Burrowing snakes]
+
Apostolepis ammodites Ferrarezzi et al. 2005 [Tocantins blackhead]
Apostolepis assimilis Reinhardt 1861 [Reinhardt's burrowing snake]
Apostolepis cearensis Gomes 1915 [Gomes burrowing snake]
Apostolepis dorbignyi Schlegel 1837 [Bolivian burrowing snake]
Apostolepis flavotorquata Dumeril et al. 1854 [Central burrowing snake]
G. Bascanium Baird and Girard 1853
G. Carphophis Gervais 1840 [worm snake]
+
G. Cemophora Cope 1860
G. Chilomeniscus Cope 1860
G. Chionactis Cope 1860
Subfm. Colubrinae Oppel 1811
+
G. †Ameiseophis Holman 1976
+
†Ameiseophis robinsoni Holman 1976
G. Arizona Kennicott 1859
+
Arizona elegans Kennicott 1859 [glossy snake]
†Arizona voorhiesi Parmley and Holman 1995
G. Coluber Linnaeus 1758 [racer]
+
†Coluber acuminatus Cope 1899
†Coluber cadurci Rage 1974
†Coluber caspioides Szyndlar and Schleich 1993
Coluber caspius Gmelin 1789
Coluber constrictor Linnaeus 1758 [black racer]
†Coluber dolnicensis Szyndlar 1987
†Coluber freybergi Brunner 1954
†Coluber hungaricus Bolkay 1913
†Coluber lobsingensis Heller 1960
†Coluber merkurensis Ivanov 2002
†Coluber planicarinatus Bachmayer and Szyndlar 1985
†Coluber plioagellus Wilson 1968
†Coluber pouchetii Rochebrune 1880
†Coluber robertmertensi Mlynarksi 1964
†Coluber suevicus Fraas 1870
†Coluber viridiflavus Lacépède 1789
Invalid names: Bascanion Baird and Girard 1853 [synonym], Coluber beggiatoi De Zigno 1889 [nomen dubium], Coluber fossilis Pomel 1853 [nomen dubium], Coluber gervaisii Pomel 1853 [nomen dubium], Coluber lafonti Filhol 1877 [nomen dubium], Coluber ombonii De Zigno 1889 [nomen dubium], Nanus Bachmayer and Szyndlar 1985 [synonym]
G. Coronella Laurenti 1768
+
Coronella austriaca Laurenti 1768 [smooth snake]
Coronella girondica Daudin 1803 [southern smooth snake]
†Coronella miocaenica Venczel 1998
G. Cyclophiops Boulenger 1888
G. Dinodon Duméril et al. 1854
G. Drymobius Fitzinger 1843
G. Elaphe Wagler 1833
+
†Elaphe algorensis Szyndlar 1985
†Elaphe buisi Holman 1973
Elaphe guttata Linnaeus 1766 [corn snake]
†Elaphe kansensis Gilmore 1938
†Elaphe kohfidischi Bachmayer and Szyndlar 1985
†Elaphe kormosi Bolkay 1913
†Elaphe longissima Laurenti 1768
†Elaphe nebraskensis Holman 1964
Elaphe obsoleta Say 1823 [black rat snake]
†Elaphe paralongissima Szyndlar 1984
†Elaphe parreyssii Fitzinger 1833
†Elaphe pliocenica Holman 1968
†Elaphe praelongissima Venczel 1994
Elaphe quatuorlineata Lacépède 1789 [four-lined snake]
†Elaphe szyndlari Venczel 1998
Elaphe vulpina Baird and Girard 1853 [fox snake]
Invalid names: Elaphis boulei De Stefano 1905 [nomen dubium], Palaeoelaphe Gilmore 1938 [synonym]
G. Ficimia Gray 1849
G. †Floridaophis Holman 1999
+
†Floridaophis auffenbergi Holman 1999
G. Lampropeltis Fitzinger 1843
+
Lampropeltis calligaster Harlan 1827 [prairie kingsnake]
Lampropeltis getulus Linnaeus 1766 [kingsnake]
†Lampropeltis intermedius Brattstrom 1955
†Lampropeltis similis Holman 1964
Lampropeltis triangulum Lacépède 1788 [milk snake]
G. Liochlorophis Oldham and Smith 1991
G. Macroprotodon Guichenot 1850 [false smooth snake]
G. Masticophis Baird and Girard 1853 [whip snake]
G. †Miocoluber Parmley 1988
+
†Miocoluber dalquesti Parmley 1988
G. †Nebraskophis Holman 1973
+
†Nebraskophis skinneri Holman 1973
G. Opheodrys Fitzinger 1843
G. Oxybelis Wagler 1830
G. †Paracoluber Holman 1970
+
†Paracoluber storeri Holman 1970
G. Phyllorhynchus Stejneger 1890
G. Pituophis Holbrook 1842 [gopher snake]
+
Pituophis melanoleucus Daudin 1803 [pine snake]
G. Salvadora Baird and Girard 1853
+
Salvadora grahamiae Baird and Girard 1853
†Salvadora paleolineata Holman 1973
G. Stilosoma Brown 1890 [short-tailed snake]
+
Stilosoma vetustum Auffenberg 1863
G. Telescopus Waner 1830 [tiger snake]
G. †Texasophis Holman 1977
+
†Texasophis bohemiacus Szyndlar 1987
†Texasophis fossilis Holman 1977
†Texasophis galbreathi Holman 1984
†Texasophis hecki Böhme 2008
†Texasophis meini Rage and Holman 1984
†Texasophis wilsoni Holman 1984
G. †Zelceophis Szyndlar 1984
+
†Zelceophis xenos Szyndlar 1984
G. †Zilantophis Jasinski and Moscato 2017
+
†Zilantophis schuberti Jasinski and Moscato 2017
Invalid names: Coluber etruriae Portis 1890 [nomen vanum]
G. Coniophanes Cope 1860
G. Contia Baird and Girard 1853
G. Cyclophis Günther
G. †Dakotaophis Holman 1976
+
†Dakotaophis greeni Holman 1976
G. Dendrelaphis Boulenger 1890
Subfm. Dipsadinae Guenther 1858
+
G. Leptodeira Fitzinger 1843
G. Rhadinaea Cope 1868
G. Dromicus Bibron 1843
G. †Dryinoides Auffenberg 1958
+
†Dryinoides oxyrhachis Auffenberg 1958
G. Drymarchon Fitzinger 1843
+
Drymarchon corais Boie 1827 [cribo]
G. Eutaenia Baird and Girard 1853
G. Farancia Gray 1842
+
†Farancia abacura Holbrook 1836
G. Gyalopion Cope 1860
G. Haldea Baird and Girard 1853
G. Helicops Wagler 1830
G. Hierophis Fitzinger 1843
G. †Hispanophis Szyndlar 1985
+
†Hispanophis coronelloideus Szyndlar 1985
Subfm. Homalopsinae Cope 1864
+
G. Bitia Gray 1842
G. Cantoria Girard 1857
G. Cerberus Cuvier 1829
G. Enhydris Sonnini and Latreille 1802
G. Erpeton Lacépède 1800
G. Fordonia Gray 1842
G. Gerarda Gray 1849
G. Homalopsis Kuhl and Hasselt 1822
G. Myron Gray 1849
G. Hypsiglena Cope 1860
G. Leioheterodon Boulenger 1893 [Malagasy hognose snake]
G. Lodia Baird and Girard 1853
G. Lycodon Fitzinger 1826
G. Malpolon Fitzinger 1826
+
†Malpolon laurenti Depéret 1897
†Malpolon mlynarskii Szyndlar 1988
Malpolon monspessulanus Hermann 1804 [Montpellier snake]
G. †Mionatrix Sun 1961
+
†Mionatrix datomeus Sun Ailin 1861
Subfm. Natricinae Bonaparte 1838
+
G. Clonophis Cope 1889
G. †Micronatrix Parmley and Hunter 2010
+
†Micronatrix juliescottae Parmley and Hunter 2010
G. †Neonatrix Holman 1973
+
†Neonatrix crassa Rage and Holman 1984
†Neonatrix elongata Holman 1973
†Neonatrix europaea Rage and Holman 1984
†Neonatrix infera Holman 1996
†Neonatrix magna Holman 1982
†Neonatrix nova Szyndlar 1987
G. Nerodia Baird and Girard 1853 [water snake]
+
Nerodia erythrogaster Clark 1903 [plain-bellied water snake]
Nerodia fasciata Linnaeus 1766 [banded water snake]
Nerodia floridana Goff 1936 [Florida green watersnake]
†Nerodia hibbardi Holman 1962
†Nerodia hillmani Wilson 1968
Nerodia rhombifer Hallowell 1852 [diamondback water snake]
Nerodia sipedon Linnaeus 1758 [northern water snake]
Nerodia taxispilota Holbrook 1842 [brown water snake]
G. †Paleonatrix Szyndlar 1982
+
†Paleonatrix silesiaca Szyndlar 1982
G. Regina Baird and Girard 1853 [crayfish snake]
+
Regina alleni Garman 1874 [striped crayfish snake]
Regina grahamii Baird and Girard 1853 [Graham's crayfish snake]
†Regina intermedia Meylan 1982
Regina rigida Say 1825 [glossy crayfish snake]
Regina septemvittata Say 1825 [queen snake]
Invalid names: Liodytes Cope 1885 [synonym]
G. Rhabdophis Fitzinger 1843
+
G. Seminatrix Cope 1895
G. Tropidoclonion Cope 1860
G. Virginia Baird and Girard 1853
G. Ophibolus Baird and Girard 1853
Unr. Opisthoglypha Duméril
+
Invalid names: Dipsadomorphinae [empty], Dryadinae [empty], Dryophinae [empty], Elachistodontinae [empty]
G. Osceola Baird and Girard 1853
G. †Palaeomalpolon Szyndlar 1981
+
†Palaeomalpolon borealis Szyndlar 1981
G. †Palaeonatrix Szyndlar 1982
+
†Palaeonatrix lehmani Rage and Roček 1983
Invalid names: Dolniceophis Rage and Roček 1983 [synonym]
G. †Paleofarancia Auffenberg 1963
+
†Paleofarancia brevispinosus Auffenberg 1963
G. Pantherophis Fitzinger 1843
G. †Paraoxybelis Auffenberg 1963
+
†Paraoxybelis floridanus Auffenberg 1963
G. Phimothyra Cope 1860
G. †Pollackophis Holman 1998
+
†Pollackophis depressus Holman 1998
Unr. Proteroglypha Duméril
+
Infraor. Platycerca
+
Invalid names: Hydrophidae Boié 1827 [empty]
Invalid names: Conocerca [empty]
G. Pseudoboa Schneider 1801
G. †Pseudocemophora Auffenberg 1963
+
†Pseudocemophora antiqua Auffenberg 1963
G. Rhinechis Michahelles 1833
+
Rhinechis agassizii Michahelles 1833
Rhinechis scalaris Schinz 1822 [ladder snake]
G. Rhinocheilus Baird and Girard 1853
G. Sibon Fitzinger 1826
G. Sonora Baird and Girard 1853
G. Spilotes Wagler
G. Storeria Baird and Girard 1853 [brown snake]
G. Tantilla Baird and Girard 1853
G. Thamnophis Fitzinger 1843 [garter snake]
+
†Thamnophis sirtalis Linnaeus
Invalid names: Chilopoma Cope 1875 [synonym]
G. Tretanorhinus Duméril et al. 1854
+
Tretanorhinus variabilis Duméril et al. 1854
G. Trimorphodon Cope 1869
G. Tropidonotus Kuhl 1826
+
Tropidonotus leberis Linnaeus 1758
Invalid names: Tropidonotus elongatus Troschel 1854 [nomen nudum]
Subfm. Xenodontinae Bonaparte 1845
+
G. Diadophis Baird and Girard 1853 [ringneck snake]
+
†Diadophis elinorae Auffenberg 1963
†Diadophis punctatus Linnaeus
G. Heterodon Latreille 1801 [hog-nosed snake]
+
†Heterodon brevis Auffenberg 1963
Heterodon nasicus Baird and Girard 1852 [western hognose snake]
Heterodon platyrhinos Latreille 1801 [eastern hognosed snake]
†Heterodon plionasicus Peters 1953
Heterodon simus Linnaeus 1766 [southern hognose snake]
G. †Paleoheterodon Holman 1964
+
†Paleoheterodon arcuatus Rage and Holman 1984
†Paleoheterodon tiheni Holman 1964
G. Zamenis Wagler 1830
Invalid names: Coluber owenii Meyer 1844 [nomen dubium], Naja sauvagei Rochebrune 1880 [nomen dubium], Palaelaphis De Rochebrune 1884 [nomen dubium], Pylmophis De Rochebrune 1884 [nomen dubium], Scaptophis Rochebrune 1880 [nomen dubium], Tachyophis De Rochebrune 1884 [nomen dubium]
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
E. Perrier 1928Squamosal allongé en arrière, supportant le carré, qui est lui-même long et presque horizontal. Préfronlal séparé du nasal par l'échancrure nasale. Famille extrêmement nombreuse (plus de 250 genres et de 1000 espèces), divisée en 3 sous-familles, elles-mêmes très homogènes, les genres ne différant guère que par des détails dans l'écaillure et dans la dentition.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: terrestrialuc
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: ground dwellingf
Diet: carnivoref
Created: 2005-09-05 19:47:49
Modified: 2005-09-05 21:47:49
Source: f = family, c = class, subp = subphylum, uc = unranked clade
References: Hendy et al. 2009, Behler and King 1979, Carroll 1988

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Lutetian to the top of the Holocene or 47.80000 to 0.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 41.3 Ma

Collections (551 total)

Oldest occurrences

Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Lutetian47.8 - 41.3Germany (Sachsen-Anhalt) Colubridae indet. (13322)
Priabonian38.0 - 33.9USA (Georgia) Colubridae indet., Nebraskophis sp. (45640)
Chadronian37.2 - 33.9USA (North Dakota) Colubridae indet. (16991)
Late/Upper Eocene37.2 - 33.9Thailand Colubridae indet. (49078 49083)
Orellan33.9 - 33.3USA (Colorado) Texasophis galbreathi (136087)
MP 2233.9 - 28.4France (Quercy) Coluber cadurci (179141 179142)
MP 2233.9 - 28.4France (Midi-Pyrenées) Coluber cadurci (167513 167534 167537)
MP 2233.9 - 28.4Germany (Baden-Württemberg) Texasophis bohemiacus (118196)
MP 2333.9 - 28.4France (Quercy) Coluber cadurci (36709 36711 179147)
Rupelian33.9 - 28.1France Coluber cadurci (183381)
MP 2533.9 - 23.03France Coluber cadurci (60214)
Whitneyan33.3 - 30.8USA (Florida) Colubridae indet., Nebraskophis oligocenicus, Floridaophis auffenbergi (17341)
MP 3028.4 - 23.03Germany (Bavaria) Colubrinae indet., Texasophis hecki (84364)
Chattian28.1 - 23.03France Coluber sp., Natricinae indet., Coluber cadurci (60281)
Harrisonian24.8 - 18.5USA (Nebraska) Colubridae indet. (17792)
MN 123.03 - 22.4Germany (Rhineland-Palatinate) Zamenis kohfdischi, Coluber cadurci (69617)
MN 123.03 - 22.4Turkey (Ankara) Texasophis sp. (64382)
Agenian23.03 - 20.0Switzerland (Fribourg) Colubridae indet. (203089)
Aquitanian - Burdigalian23.03 - 15.97Spain (Navarre) Colubridae indet. (153751 153761 174922)
Early/Lower Miocene23.03 - 15.97Namibia (Karas) Colubridae indet., Colubrinae indet. (146601 168035) Colubrinae indet., Natricinae indet. (168036)