THE LECTOTYPE AND TYPE LOCALITY OF CANDOIA CARINATA (REPTILIA, SERPENTES)

Abstract

Although the type locality of Schneider’s Boa carinata (1801: 261-263) has been unknown (Stimson, 1969) ever since the species was described, no great problem was posed thereby until Stull (1956) ventured to describe and name a subspecies of it, E. c. paulsoni. Later, the review of the species by McDowell (1979) revealed considerable geographic variation suggestive of taxonomic differentiation, although the picture he obtained was considered inconclusive and no subspecies were recognized. Our own studies of geographic variation indicate that the species as currently recognized does indeed constitute a complex of several taxa. Resolution of nomenclature for those taxa hinges upon fi xation of the earliest name applied in the complex, Schneider’s Boa carinata. In the absence of type locality, application of Schneider’s name would hinge solely on characteristics of the onomatophore (name bearer; Simpson, 1940). Schneider based his name on eight syntypes, without designation of any one as the onomatophore. As summarized by McDowell (1979), Schneider cited one specimen in the Ludwigian collection, two in the Lampian collection, fi ve in the Museum of the Duke of Brunswick, and one in the Göttingen Museum. The latter was most fully described by Schneider, and was designated by McDowell as the lectotype, which he thought was “probably lost.” Nevertheless, on the basis of the number of ventrals and caudals, and other data in the original description, McDowell concluded that the type locality probably was in the “South Moluccas.” Inasmuch as greater certainty of the geographic origin and identity of the name-bearer for Candoia carinata, as the species is now known, appears desirable (in view of the several taxa that now seem to be involved), a concerted effort to determine the fate of the lectotype revealed that the specimen does indeed exist, and is now No. 35503 in the Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und ABSTRACT: The lectotype of Boa carinata Schneider, 1801, has been rediscovered and is now ZMFK 35503, having been transferred in 1977 from the Göttingen Museum, its original location. Its type locality has not been reported previously, but is indicated as “Amboina” on a label with the lectotype. The specimen is redescribed and fi gured, and conforms with expectations for material from the vicinity of the type locality. A brief history of Schneider and of the syntypes of Boa carinata, now Candoia carinata, is reviewed.