First record of the Sistan Sand Boa Eryx sistanensis Eskandarzadeh et al., 2020 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Erycidae) from India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10589.18.5.28911-28918Keywords:
Eryx johnii, farmlands, morphology, Pakistan, Rajasthan, sandy plains, trade, Thar DesertAbstract
We report the presence of Sistan sand boa Eryx sistanensis, a species known from Iran and Pakistan, from northern parts of Thar desert of northwestern India by presenting detailed diagnosis of three live individuals from Rajasthan. Data obtained from the Indian individuals offers moderately updated definition of E. sistanensis and helps distinguishing it more effectively from its look-alike, Eryx johnii by comparing their morphology in life. Additionally, based on our past findings and sightings posted in social media and from wildlife colleagues from our network, we hint its wider presence in the low rainfall areas of three states of northwestern India, including Haryana and Punjab, apart from Rajasthan.
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