title: The real identity of Leptodiranycthemera Werner, 1901 from Ecuador: a junior synonym of Oxyrhopuspetolarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes, Dipsadidae).
abstract: Leptodiranycthemera Werner, 1901, was described from a specimen collected in Ecuador. No information on the holotype was published after its description. In the most recent review of Leptodeira, Leptodiranycthemera was considered to be a synonym of Leptodeiraannulataannulata, although the author emphasized that the holotype was lost and did not include the pholidotic data from the original description in his account of Leptodeiraannulataannulata. Since this review, a number of authors have accepted this synonymy. Recently, analyzing specimens of Leptodeira in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany, we discovered the holotype of Leptodiranycthemera. This holotype is re-described here, and its correct identity is determined. Based on the analysis of meristic characters and the color of the holotype, we recognize Leptodiranycthemera as a junior synonym of Oxyrhopuspetolarius.
authors.affiliation: Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Av. Perimetral, 1901, Bairro Terra Firme, 66077-530, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Carlos Lopes
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kucharzewski
authors.affiliation: Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Av. Perimetral, 1901, Bairro Terra Firme, 66077-530, Belém, PA, Brazil ; Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Zoologia, Av. Perimetral, 1901, Bairro Terra Firme, 66077-530, Belém, PA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia da Costa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Prudente
keywords: Leptodeiraannulataannulata; Oxyrhopuspetolarius; new synonym