Formosa slug snake
{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{Speciesbox | name = Formosa slug snake
| image = Pareas_formosensis.jpg
| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Pareas formosensis
| authority = (Van Denburgh, 1909)
| synonyms = Amblycephalus formosensis Van Denburgh, 1909
Psammodynastes compressus Ōshima, 1910
Pareas compressus (Ōshima, 1910)
}}
Formosa slug snake or Taiwan slug snake (Pareas formosensis) is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Pareatidae. It is endemic to Taiwan.{{NRDB species|genus=Pareas |species=formosensis |accessdate=13 June 2016}}
Taxonomy
It has been suggested that Pareas chinensis should be treated as a synonym of P. formosensis, but recent genetic research does not support this: P. formosensis does not appear closely related to P. chinensis but is instead a sister species to P. hamptoni. The delineation of these species is not clear. In future, P. formosensis might become a subspecies of P. hamptoni, or some snakes from the mainland might be classified as P. formosensis.
Further studies have shown that Pareas komaii is a valid species, instead of being a synonym of P. formosensis. The study also described a new species, Pareas atayal, that have been confused with P. formosensis. Thus, three Pareas species occur in Taiwan.
Description
The Formosa slug snake is a small snake with total length up to {{convert|70|cm|abbr=on}}. These snakes are widespread in mountainous, moist forests. Formosa slug snakes are nocturnal and feed on land snails and slugs. Female snakes produce a clutch of 2–9 eggs; the hatchlings measure about {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} in total length.{{cite web |url=http://www.snakesoftaiwan.com/Pareas%20formosensis/species_pareas_formosensis.htm |title=Pareas formosensis |author=Hans Breuer |author2=William Christopher Murphy |name-list-style=amp |date=2009–2010 |publisher=Snakes of Taiwan |access-date=12 May 2013 |archive-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911131958/http://snakesoftaiwan.com/Pareas%20formosensis/species_pareas_formosensis.htm |url-status=dead }}
P. formosensis is readily distinguished from P. komaii and P. atayal by its red iris and totally smooth dorsal scales.
Distribution
References
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Category:Endemic fauna of Taiwan