Records of the Western Australian MusCllm 19: 1-12 (1998).

Three new blindsnakes (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from northwestern Australia

K.P. Aplin Department of Terrestrial Vertebrates, Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia

Abstract - Three new species of Ramphotyphlops are described from localities in northwestern Western Australia. Two are represented by a single specimen only, the third by four specimens. Each of the new species differs markedly from all previously described members of the genus. The discovery of these new species highlights the very incomplete state of knowledge of the fossorial herpetofauna of northwestern Australia, in particular the Typhlopidae.

INTRODUCTION adult female collected on 3 April 1995 by Tom and The recent description of new species of Nancy Heger at the Ranger's residence, Milyering blindsnakes from Western Australian (Aplin and Well, Cape Range National Park, Western Donnellan 1990), Queensland (Ingram and Australia in 22°01'S 113°56'E. Heart and liver Covacevich 1994) and the Northern Territory (Shea frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in -80°C and Homer 1997) has drawn attention to the very ultrafreeze at the Western Australian Museum. incomplete knowledge of Australian Typhlopidae, in particular those of northern Australia. In this Diagnosis paper I describe three additional species of A moderately elongate and stout-bodied typhlopids from localities in the northwest region Ramphotyphlops with 20 midbody scale rows, (see Figure 1), each based on very distinctive moderate number of vertebral scales (377)/ rostrum specimens collected over recent years. angular in profile and weakly trilobate in dorsal The head scale terminology and methods of scale view/ nasal cleft intersecting second labial and counting are as described previously by Aplin and terminating just forward of the nostrit and grey Donnellan (1990), based on those of Waite (1918) dorsum clearly demarcated from white venter. and Storr (1981). Vertebral scale counts include the frontal scale and extend back to a point directly Description opposite the vent. Where such counts are A moderately elongate and stout-bodied species unavailable for certain key species or specimens, I (see Figure 2). have cited ventral scale counts; these are probably SVL 498 mm; tail without spine 11 mm/ including 3-5 higher than the corresponding vertebral scale spine 13.5 mm. Preserved body 11.3 mm (width) count in any individual. Subcaudal scale counts by 12.3 mm (depth) anteriorly, and 10.2 mm by were taken between the vent and the tail tip, but 12.7 mm posteriorly. Body width averages 2.16'1<, not including the terminal spine. Following Shea of SVL. and Homer (1997)/ the degree of body elongation Vertebral scales 377, counted from behind frontal is indicated by body width (BW) as a percentage of to above vent. Subcaudal scales 13/ excluding snout-vent length (SVL). All measurements are conical spine. given in millimeters (mm). Circumferential scale rows 20 along entire length of body. In life, dorsal surface of head, body and tail dull­ SYSTEMATICS grey, abruptly differentiated from all-white venter RampllOtyphlops splendidlls sp. novo along jagged boundary (scales along boundary are Figures 2-4 unicoloured: all-grey or all-white). On body/ number of pigmented scale rows 8-9/ remaining Material Examined 11-12 rows immaculate. On neck/ pigmented band reduced to 6-7 rows; 13-14 rows immaculate. Holotype Dorsum of head pigmented/ terminating just R119900 in the Western Australian Museum/ an forward of eyes. Subocular region and whole of 2 K.P. Aplin • R. ganei * R. longissimus // • R. splendidus

".

•• Newman

Figure 1 Map of northwestern Australia showing the collecting localities of the three new typhlopid species. The 200 m contour interval is shown to indicate the approximate limits of the Pilbara uplands.

snout unpigmented (see Figure 3a-b). Under­ in size to succeeding vertebral scales. surface and tip of tail immaculate. Microscopic scale organs present but General form of head and details of scalation inconspicuous on most head scales; most abundant illustrated in Figure 3-4. Head moderately on ventral and lateral surfaces. Tubular glands attenuate, with snout bluntly angular in profile and inconspicuous owing to lack of contrasting weakly trilobed from above. Eyes relatively large, pigment. positioned deep to anterodorsal corner of ocular Right oviduct elongate but tightly pleated; scale. Rostral measures 5.3 mm from tip to ovaries with numerous oocytes measuring 3 mm in posterior margin; maximum width 4.7 mm on length. Individual clearly mature and entering upper surface; terminates just forward of line active reproductive phase. drawn across front of eyes. Leading edge of rostral Hindgut with short caecum, 23 mm in length, angular but not sharp-edged. Nasals separated opening into gut 47 mm (39 scale rows) forward of dorsally by narrow contact between rostral and vent. prefrontal. Nasal cleft originates from anterior end of second supralabial, passes through nostril to Etymology terminate halfway between nostril and rostra!. Splendidus (Latin): magnificent! Nostrils shielded by dorsolateral narial prominences; nostril and nasal cleft not visible from Comparison with other species above. Preocular smaller than nasal and ocular, The elongate, stout-bodied form and 20 mid­ broadly separated from prefrontal by intervening body scale rows of R. splendidus limit meaningful supraocular. Lower border of preocular broadly comparisons to only a small number of species. overlapping supralabials 2-3. Ocular subequal to Ramphotyphlops pinguis (Waite, 1897) from nasal in overall size, ventral portion wedged southwestern Australia has a similar head form between supralabials 3 and 4. Supralabials increase and nasal cleft arrangement, but differs from R. in size posteriorly; supralabial 4 terminates forward splendidus in being less elongate (SVL to 491 mm) of posterior margin of ocular. Prefrontal with lower vertebral scale counts (280-338), and in considerably longer and slightly wider than body having a less abrupt transition between the dorsal scales; deeply wedged between nasal and and ventral colouration and a more extensively supraocular on each side. Supraoculars and pigmented head. Ramphotyphlops splendid liS also parietals larger than frontal which is comparable has a slightly larger eye and a slightly more Three new blindsnakes 3

Figure 2 Holotype of Ramphotyphlops splendidus sp. novo in life (photograph Mr Mark Cowan)

projecting rostral 'beak' than any R. pinguis Crenadatyllls and Diplodactyllls) await description. examined. Ramphotyphlops nigrescens (Gray, 1845) With only a single record of R. splendidus, it is and R. proxinlUs (Waite, 1893) of eastern Australia clearly premature to comment on habitat are similar to R. splendid LIS in body proportions, preference. The Ranger's residence at Cape Range but have a very different arrangement of the nasal National Park is located on the Tantabiddi Terrace, cleft (intersects the first labial and extends well an emergent coral limestone platform of last past the nostril onto the dorsal surface of head). interglacial age (Wyrwoll et al. 1993). The terrace is mantled by a thin veneer of weakly consolidated Remarks sand and supports a degraded coastal complex R. splendid liS is morphologically most similar to dominated by Acacia spp., Melalel/ca cnrdiophylla R. pingllis of southwestern Au tralia, but with and/or Hibbertia spicta over Triodia (Keighery and slight differences in head form, meristics and body Gibson 1993). In many areas, introduced Buffel colouration. However, these represent fairly trivial Grass, Cenchms ciliaris, has virtually replaced the differences within the broader context of original ground cover. morphological diversity among Australasian The discovery of a large-bodied typhlopid in typhlopids, and it is likely that the two pecies are northwestern Australia runs counter to the general closely related. trend in body size within the genus. In general, The vertebrate fauna of the Cape Range northern Australian typhlopids are small to peninsula includes taxa with diverse biogeographic medium-sized animals and they are often affinities: southern, arid zone and northern exceptionally elongate and slender. The few (Kendrick 1993). The only currently recognised exceptions, such as R. ligatlls (Peters, 1879) and R. endemic vertebrate is Lerista allochira Kendrick, polygrammieus (Schlegel, 1839), come from areas of 1989 which is restricted to the dissected limestone high seasonal humidity such as the Cape York country of the Cape Range anticline. However, region of Queensland and the Kimberley. In several additional endemic lizard species (of contrast, many typhlopids from southern 4 K.P. Aplin

/

!

b

a

Figure 3 External features of the head of Ramphotyphlops splendidliS sp. nov., showing basic form and distribution of pigment in relation to scale boundaries and major structural elements in a) dorsal and b) lateral views.

temperate regions are larger and stouter-bodied Ramphotyphlops longissimus sp. novo (e.g., R. pinguis, R. proxirnus, R. nigrescens). It would Figure 5 be of great interest to investigate the physiological Material Examined and ecological basis of this trend and to further examine the special case of R. splendidus. Holotype Rarnphotyphlops splendidus rivals R. pinguis as the R120049 in the Western Australian Museum, an largest typhlopid species recorded in Western adult female collected on 22 May 1995 by Mr Lloyd Australia. Its discovery on the Cape Range Whitsed at Bandicoot Bay, Barrow Island, Western peninsula, in an area visited over the years by Australia in 20°54'5 115°22'E. Heart and liver many different herpetologists and other naturalists, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in -80°C is noteworthy, and underscores the fact that our ultrafreeze at the Western Australian Museum. knowledge of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of even the 'better-known' parts of Australia remains Diagnosis incomplete. An exceptionally elongate and slender The apparent scarcity and potentially restricted Rarnphotyphlops with 16 midbody scale rows, distribution of R. splendidus give cause for concern extremely high number of vertebral scales (approx. regarding its future survival. Although largely 750), strongly depressed, rectangular-shaped head protected within a national park, the species with inflated and rounded rostrum, nasal cleft presumably depends upon certain taxa of ants for intersecting the second labial scale and terminating food, and these in turn may be sensitive to changes just forward of the nostril, and head and body in groundcover ecology associated with the almost completely without pigment. increasing dominance of Buffel Grass. Further information on the distribution and ecology of R. Description splendidus is urgently required. An extremely elongate and slender-bodied Three new blindsnakes

b a

c

Figure 4 Details of scalatIon of I\lIlIll'llOl'!/l'h!

c

b a Figure 5 Head of RampllOtyphlops longissimus sp. novo illustrating basic form and details of scalation in a) dorsal, b) lateral and c) ventral views. species. SVL 266 mm; tail 2.4 mm including minute Anterior border of preocular intersects upper spine. Preserved body 1.8 mm (width) by 2.1 mm border of second supralabial, just behind nasal (depth) anteriorly, and 1.8 mm by 2.3 mm cleft. Lower border overlaps supralabials 2-3. posteriorly. Body width averages 0.83°1<) of SVL. Ocular larger than nasal and preocular, ventral Vertebral scales approximately 750 (two counts portion wedged between supralabials 3 and 4. yielded 732, 766; very small size and lack of Supralabials 1-3 subequal, supralabial 4 pigment prohibits more accurate determination). considerably larger than others of series, Subcaudal scales 15, excluding minute conical terminates well forward of posterior margin of spine. ocular. Prefrontal and frontal subequal, both Circumferential scale rows 16 along entire length considerably larger than general body scales; of body. supraocular subequal to prefrontal, in broad In life, body appeared translucent, without any contact with nasal anteriorly and narrow contact obvious pigment apart from very small eyes. with parietal posteriorly. Parietal width equivalent Under magnification, preserved specimen shows to two of body scales. no other pigment in anterior body but very faint Microscopic scale organs present on all head reticulation ('ghosting' of dorsal scale margins) scales, most abundant on ventral surfaces.Tubular posteriorly. glands not obvious but entire head is semi­ General head form and details of scalation translucent. dlustrated in Figure 5. Head strongly depressed Right oviduct narrow, unconvoluted; ovary ,lI1d rectangular as seen from above. Rostrum located 26 mm forward from vent, with numerous inflated and rounded in profile. Eyes small but small follicles. darkly pigmented, positioned on top of head deep Hindgut with very short caecum, 4 mm in length, to anterolateral corner of mildly bulging opens into gut 9 mm forward of vent. supraocular scales. Rostral ovate as viewed from above, slightly longer than wide; terminates Etymology forward of eyes. Nasal inflated, projecting Longissimus (Latin): extremely long. anterolaterally to produce rectangular head form. Nostril large, subequal to eye. Nasal cleft originates from second supralabial, passes above nostril Comparison with other species before terminating on nasal, well short of rostra!. Rl1InpllOtyphlops longissimus is one of the most Nostril and nasal cleft not visible from above. distinctive of all Australian typhlopids on account Preocular smaller than nasal, broadly separated of its exceptionally eLmgate and slender body from prefrontal by intervening supraocular. form, its unusually inflated rostrum and its almost Three new blindsnakes 7 complete lack of pigment. It is also unusual withm l"l\nsiderabk depth below ground dUrIng the genus in having a greatly enlarged ocular sl'ak m,1mtenance of ,m ,mode well ,1t B,1ndil'00t It1\' on which extends well posterIor to the fourth BMrow bland. ()ne specimen was grabbed bv Mr supralabial. Lloyd Whitsed of Whitsed Resources Ptv ltd., Three other species have 16 midbody scale rows: while the second 'shot' back down the well ,md f\. leptosOIlll7 Robb, 1972; J< 11I1111111115 (Kinghorn, was lost. Because the anirnal looked more like a 1(29); and f\. lIellll7 Shea and Horner, 1997 [data for worm or eel than a snake, it was placed in a jM ot lalter two species from Shea and Horner (1997)]. water where it swam around for some time before f\l7l11plwtyphlops leptosOlll17 approaches 1\. 10llglssImlls being rescued by an environmental officer who in its degree of elongation (BW = 1.0-1.1% of SVL) recognised its true nature. The specimen was and correspondingly high vertebral counts (558­ delivered several days later, still alive, to the 720), but differs in having a less depressed head VVestern Australian Museum. with an acute, chisel-edged rostrum and a nasal The surficial geology of Barrow Island IS cleft that completely di\ides the nasal scale. comprised of Miocene limestones which are highlv f\lIlIIplwtyphlops 11I111111111' is much less elongate (BW karstic. Drilling operations commonlv 'punch' = 1.42-1.94'X, of SVL) and has far fewe I' through deep cavc'rns, often partially filled with longitudinal scale rows (381-457 ventral scales), a red sediments; these might conceivably constitute less depressed head and a complex body pattern, part of the habitat of R. longiss1IlIus. Air usually including longitudinal stripes. temperatures in Barrow Island caverns are high (X f\l7l11photyphlops nenw has a less elongate body form 28.9 c C; range 26.6-33.1 C, N = 19; W.F. (BW = 1.08-1.75'1<, of SVL), a lower number of 11umphreys, pers.comm.), thus it would longitudinal scale rows (520-589 ventral scales) presumably be possible for individuals of this and a less depressed head. species to spend much, if not all, of their time in Several other species of f\l7l11p1wtlfphlops have the subterranean environment. The only other longitudinal scale row counts which approach or typhlopid recorded from Barrow Island is f\. even exceed the value in 1\. longissilllus. di,'ersus I7mmodlftes (Montague, 1(14), which is [\1711lphotyphlops troglodytes Storr, 1981 has 641 otherwise widely distributed throughout the ventral scales and also has a mildly depressed and Pilbara region; it is rarely encountered on the bluntly-rounded head form, but it differs from I\. island. longissi11lus in having 20 midbody scale rows and a Several of the more unusual features of 1\. nasal cleft that completely divides the nasal scale. longissimus may well be special adaptations to life Members of the R1711lplwlllphlops gnfpus 'complex' within a subterranean environment of caverns and (which most likely contains several species across fissures. These include the degree of flattening of northern Australia; pers. observ. and G. Shea, pers. the head, the extreme slenderness of the body, the comm.), have longitudinal scale row counts that degree of reduction of the eyes and the almost may even exceed the value in f\. longlssi11lus [Storr complete lack of external pigmentation. (1981) records 790 ventral scales in the holotype of It is of interest to speculate on the possible diet of I\. gnnms (Waite, 1918)]. However all members of R. longissimus. Ant larvae and pupae form the this group have 18 midbody scale rows and a major prey items of many if not all other recurved rostral 'beak', and generally also have a Australian typhlopids (Shine and Webb 1990). darkly pigmented head and/or tail. Hymenoptera are very poorly represented in Australian troglobytic faunas as elsewhere in the Remarks world, although surface-dwelling ants may R1711lphotlfphlops longlssllllus is an extremely incubate their eggs far below ground in such distinctive typhlopid which is not obviously allied environments (W.F. Humphreys, pers. comm.). to any other known taxon. I\lIl1lphotyphlops Unfortunately, the hindgut of the only known troglodytes Storr, 1981 is perhaps most similar to K specimen of K longissllnlls is empty, presumably as 10nglssll1lus in having a mildly depressed head and a consequence of the long period of captivity, and an extremely elongate body, but the two species it is not possible to determine what the diet of this differ In midbody scale counts and the peculiM species might include. configuration of the nasal cleft. The relative importance of these and other characters as phylogenetic indicators within I\l7l11photyplllops is Ralllphotyphlops gal/ci sp. novo not currentlv known. Figures 6-B The circumstances of capture of the holotype of f\. 10nglssIlllus are worthy of special mention. Material Examined Apparently, the specimen was one of two mdividuals that \\'l'le attached to the outer surface f !olotlfpe of a section of well-casing pulled from some R124835 in the Western Australian \luscum, an 8 K.P. Aplin

Figure 6 Holotype of Ramphotyphlops ganei sp. novo in life (photograph Mr Brian Bush). adult female collected on 26 5eptember 1995 by Mr the rostral scale on the dorsal surface of the Brian Bush at Cathedral Gorge, 30 km west of head. Newman, Western Australia, in 23°17'30"5, 119°28'E. Heart and liver frozen in liquid nitrogen Description and stored in -80°C ultrafreeze at the Western An elongate and moderately stout-bodied species Australian Museum. (see Figure 6). 5VL of females (N=3) 258-335 mm, of male 230 Para types mm; tail length (without spine) of females 4.5-5.3 Australia: Western Australia: R102111 in the mm, of male 7.0 mm. Preserved body of female Western Australian Museum, an adult female holotype 9.3 mm (width) by 9.5 mm (depth), of collected as a road-kill in mid-April 1991 by Mr male 5.1 mm by 5.0 mm. Body width 2.89%, 2.2% Lori Gane at Pannawonica in 21°39'5 116°20'E. of 5VL respectively. Head crushed on right side. Heart and liver frozen Vertebral scales number 430-448 for females, 432 in liquid nitrogen and stored in -80°C ultrafreeze for male. 5ubcaudal scales (excluding conical at the Western Australian Museum. R129556 in the spine) of females 12-13, of male 19. Western Australian Museum, an adult female Circumferential scale rows 24 along entire length collected at waste dump on Mt Whaleback in of body. 23°20'57"5 119°41'30"E, by Mr K.J. Walker on In life, dorsal surface of head, body and tail an 14/12/1985. R129571 in the Western Australian intense grey-brown, becoming paler on flanks; Museum, an adult male collected in Newman lateral colour ends abruptly, giving way to cream Townsite in 23°21'5 119°34'E by Mr K.J. Walker venter along jagged boundary. Number of (no date provided but presumed 1985-1986). pigmented scale rows is 14-15 along entire body, remaining rows immaculate. Head extensively Diagnosis pigmented. Undersurface of tail immaculate. An elongate, moderately stout Ramphotyphlops General head form and details of pigmentaton with 24 midbody scale rows, a foreshortened and scalation illustrated in Figures 7-8. Head head with snout bluntly rounded in lateral bluntly rounded in profile and from above, profile and from above, moderately high number preocular region extremely foreshortened. Eyes of vertebral scales (430-448) and nasal cleft conspicuous, positioned deep to anterodorsal vertically dividing the nasal scale, originating portion of ocular scale. Rostral measures 3.0/mm from the second labial scale and terminating at from tip to posterior margin; very narrow Three new blindsnakes 9

b

Figure 7 External features of the head of Rl1mpllOlyphlops gl1nei sp. novo (paratype Rl02111) illustrating basic form and distribution of pigment in relation to scale boundaries and major structural elements in a) dorsal and b) lateral views.

anteriorly and ventrally, expanding of these has a length of 13 mm. Specimen R1021l, posterodorsally to maximum width of 1.6/mm; collected in April, has an elongate but straplike terminates just forward of line drawn across front right oviduct and a quiescent ovary. The single of eyes. Nasals large, forming major part of male specimen is reproductively mature, with a anterior surface of head; broadly separated behind convoluted efferent duct. rostral by prefrontal. Nasal cleft originates from Hindgut of female R124835 with short rectal anterior end of second supralabial, curves around caecum, 13.8/mm in length, opening into gut 17.9 front of nostril then extends vertically onto upper mm (32 scale rows) forward of vent. In male, rectal surface of head, finally swinging posteromedially caecum measures 9.6 mm in length and opens 13.0 to contact posterolateral margin of rostral. Nasal mm (36 scale rows) forward of vent. scale thus completed divided into subequal Male specimen has short, narrow retrocloacal anterior and posterior moeities. Preocular smaller sacs which terminate 4 mm forward of the vent. than nasal, suequal to ocular, narrowly separated Hemipenes not investigated. from prefrontal by intervening supraocular. Anterior suture of preocular intersects upper Comparison with other species border of second supralabial well behind nasal The presence of short retrocloacal sacs in the cleft. Lower border of preocular overlaps referred male specimen demonstrates affinity with supralabials 2-3. Ocular subequal to preocular. the genus Ramphotyphlops Fitzinger, 1843 as Ventral portion wedged between supralabials 3 redefined by Robb (1966a,b) on the basis of features and 4. Supralabials increase in size posteriorly; of the male reproductive tract. Other features, such supralabial 4 projects behind posterior margin of as the supralabial imbrication pattern (Wallach ocular. Prefrontal large, equal to three body scales; 1993) and presence of a rectal caecum (Robb deeply wedged between nasal and supraocular but 1966b), further support this placement. fails to contact preocular. Supraocular subequal to RampllOtyphlops garzei is perhaps most similar prefrontal. Frontal not distinguishable from other overall to 1\. ligatlis with which it shares the scales of vertebral series. Parietal wide but strap­ relatively uncommon features of 24 midbody scale like, equal in width to three body scales. rows and continuation of the nasal cleft onto the Microscopic scale organs present on all head upper surface of the snout. Ramphotylzlops ligatlis scales, only slightly more abundant on ventral and [as defined by Storr (1981); work in progress lateral surfaces than on dorsum. Tubular glands suggests that it is composite, but without affecting conspicuous around rostral and labial sutures. the present comparisons) is less elongate than the The holotype, collected in late September, is new species and has fewer vertebral scales (296­ gravid with an undetermined number of eggs. One 355 in females), a less extremely foreshortened 10 K.P. Aplin

a

c

Figure 8 Details of cephalic scalation of Ramphotyphlops ganci sp. novo (paratype R102111) in a) dorsal, b) lateral views and c) ventral views.

head, a broader rostraI scale, and a nasal cleft Wagga Wagga in New South Wales (see comments which originates at the first labial scale and in McDowell, 1974). Each of these species is very terminates well short of the rostral scale. different from R. ganei. Ramphotyphlops yirrikalae is Representatives of the R. ligatus complex are found a smaller, slender-built animal with a higher from the West Kimberley across northern Australia vertebral scale count (496; Northern Territory and south at least to northern New South Wales. Museum 16855) and a nasal cleft which originates Three other species of Ramphotyphlops with 24 at the first labial scale and terminates at the nostril. midbody scale rows are R. yirrikalae (Kinghorn, RampllOtyphlops unguirostris has a very different 1942) and R. unguirostris (Peters, 1867) from head form (snout extended into sharp-edged beak, tropical Australia and R. batillus (Waite, 1894), with broad rostral scale) and a nasal cleft which known only from the holotype, reputedly from originates from the first labial and passes forwards Three new blindsnakes 11 through the nostril to contact the rostral scale. DISCUSSION [\lIl1lpllOtypl/lops /liitil/IIS has a higher number of Even though the three new taxa described above vertebral scales (557) and a very differently shaped are each known from only one or a few specimens, rostrum. I have no hesitation in describing each of them as a Complete, nearly vertical division of the nasal full species. RalllpllOtyplzlops IOl/gisslll/IIS and l\. scale is a rare condition in l\lIl1lphotyphlops, gal/ci are particularly distinctive and cannot be recorded previously only in K crycilllls (Werner, confused with any other species; and while 1901) from New Guinea (McDowell 1974) and as a RalllpllOtyplllops splel/didlls is similar to K pil/gllis in variant in some Indonesian populations of R. head morphology, it is readily distinguished by its pollfgn7llllllicIIs (Smith 1927; Mertens 1930). more elongate body and correspondingly higher RllnzpllOtyphlops crycillll differs from R. gm/ci in longitudinal scale count. having a less foreshortened head, fewer midbody Of the three new species, only l\. gallcl is scale rows (20) and lower vertebral scale counts definitely affiliated with l\l1l1lphotyphlops on the (292-319). Other taxa with a similarly oriented but basis of male reproductive anatomy. However, incomplete nasal cleft are I\. liglltlls, R. all three species are consistent with other kinzbcrlCljclIsis Storr, 1981, R. polygrllnzmiclIs Eal1lpllOtyphlops species in the presence of an [possibly including "K torrcsillnlls" (Boulenger, intestinal caecum (Robb 1966b) and In 1889)), K wicdii (Boulenger, 1895) and K silvia supralabial imbrication pattern (Wallach 1(93). Ingram and Covacevich, 1994. [Several of these They are also most conservatively placed taxa were grouped by McDowell (1974) as his within Ranzphotyphlops on biogeographic "Typhlilla polygnJlIlmica" Group]. [\lIl1lpllOtyphlops grounds. killlbcrlcyclIsis and members of the K polygramllliclls The addition of three new species of complex have 22 midbody scale rows and a less RanzpllOtyplzlops to the herpetofauna of foreshortened head than R. ganci, while K wicdii northwestern Australia almost doubles the and R. silvia have 20 midbody rows. None of these number of typhlopid snakes recorded from the species appears to be closely related to K gallei. wider Pilbara region. It also takes to five the tally of regionally endemic typhlopids [the others are: Etymology R. pilbarcnsis Aplin and Donnellan, 1990; and l\. Named for Mr Lori Gane, formerly of diverslls al1lmodytcs (Montague, 1914)] and further Pannawonica, schoolteacher, amateur herpetologist underscores the high level of endemicity of this and collector of the first known specimen of K structurally complex upland subregion of the ganci in 1991. Also in acknowledgement of his role Australian arid zone (cf. Aplin and Donnellan in the events which lead to the recognition of the 1991). The discovery of these new species Pilbara Death Adder as a distinct species. highlights the very incomplete state of knowledge of the fossorial herpetofauna of Remarks northwestern Australia, in particular the Ramplzotyplzlops ganei does not appear to be Typhlopidae. particulary closely related to any other species in Also of special interest is the chance recovery of the genus. Probably its closest affinites are with E. R. longissimlls from below ground on Barrow erycilllls and members of the R. ligatlls and R. Island, which surely rates as one of the most polygrallll1liclls complexes, but it differs from each peculiar events in the history of Australian of these taxa in significant aspects of cephalic form herpetology. (e.g., the extreme foreshortening of the preorbital region) as well as in various features of scalation. At any rate, the biogeographic affinities of K gmlci ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS appear to be with various northern Australian and Special thanks to those individuals (mentioned New Cuinean typhlopids, rather than with any above) who went against the current climate that southwestern or southern taxa. frowns on 'collecting', and by so doing have I\al1lpllOtyplzlops ganei has been collected at made a valuable contribution to our knowledge opposite ends of the Pilbara uplands, hence the of the diversity of Australian typhlopids. Thanks species may occur over a substantial geographic also to Mr Mark Cowan and Mr 13rian Bush for range. Ilowever, the fact that it has not previously providing photographs of two of the new been collected surely implies either a general species. scarcity or a very discontinuous distribution. I tend Vertebral scale row counts were taken by Mr towards the latter opinion and would hazard to Chris Tavlor and Mr Mark Salotti of the W.A. suggest that the new species is associated with the Museum's Department of Terrestrial Vertebrates. moist microhabitats which exist in many of the All of the illustrations are the work of Ms Nadine deeper, better shaded gorges throughout the Guthrie of the School of Environmental region. Management, Edith Cowan University. 12 K.P. Aplin

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