title: Morphological variation and taxonomy of Atractus latifrons (Günther, 1868) (Serpentes: Dipsadidae).
abstract: As currently understood Atractus latifrons is widely distributed in South America, occurring from Suriname to the east of the Andes in Bolivia. Throughout this widespread distribution, at least three distinct color patterns were previously reported in the literature. Here, we test whether quantitative variation and qualitative distribution of morphological characters are correlated with any color pattern displayed by the species along its range. We recognize three aposematic color patterns (bicolor in monads, tricolor in dyads, and tricolor in tetrads) for A. latifrons. We found no obvious correspondence between these patterns and any character systems analyzed herein. Additionally, we redescribe the holotype of A. latifrons and report on morphological variability (meristics, morphometrics, color patterns, and hemipenis) and geographical distribution (extending its distribution to the state Roraima, Brazil) of the species.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia da Universidade Federal do Pará/Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi & Departamento de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Avenida Perimetral, 1901. Caixa Postal 399, Terra Firme, Belém, Pará, 66017-970, Brazil; Email: pcralmeida@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paula C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Rua 232 nº 128, 3º andar, Área V, Setor Leste Universitário, CEP 74605-140, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Darlan T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristovão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20940-040, Brazil; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Passos
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia da Universidade Federal do Pará/Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi & Departamento de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Avenida Perimetral, 1901. Caixa Postal 399, Terra Firme, Belém, Pará, 66017-970, Brazil; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Ana L C
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Prudente
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001838:Bolivia; D001938:Brazil; D017812:Colubridae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size