Conception Bank silver boa
| Conception Bank silver boa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Boidae |
| Genus: | Chilabothrus |
| Species: | C. argentum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chilabothrus argentum Reynolds et al., 2016[2]
| |
The Conception Bank silver boa (Chilabothrus argentum), also known as the Conception Bank boa or silver boa, is a species of boa[1][3] described in May 2016 by a team of researchers from Harvard University led by Dr. R. Graham Reynolds.[2][4] It is only known from the Conception Island Bank in the Bahamas.[1] It is the first known discovery of a West Indian boa species in 73 years.[4] It is named for its unique silver color and the fact that the first specimen was found in a silver palm.[2] It is the most endangered boa in the world, with fewer than 250 individuals in an area of just 5 hectares.[5]
Description
[edit]Conception Bank silver boa has silver to tan dorsal background coloration, with or without scattered dark brown scales. Ventral scales are pure cream-white. They measure 88–103 cm (35–41 in) in snout–vent length and weigh 182–258 g (6.4–9.1 oz). Tail length varies between 18 and 21 cm (7.1 and 8.3 in).[2]
Habitat and biology
[edit]The Conception Bank silver boa is largely arboreal and has been found in silver palm Coccothrinax argentata and gumbo-limbo Bursera simaruba. It is thought that the species mostly feeds on birds, with juveniles possibly feeding on Anolis sagrei lizards. [5][6]
Conservation
[edit]The species is known from six individuals encountered in July 2015 by a research team from Harvard University, and from the type series of two individuals collected in October 2015. A total of 49 individuals have been observed by researchers between 2015 and 2017. [5]
It has been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is considered "Critically Endangered"[1] in view of its small area of occurrence as well as potential threats posed by introduced species, habitat loss, and (illegal) pet trade[7]. Some level of protection is offered by the Conception Island Bank being designated as a national park, and by the relative remoteness of the islands.[2]
In popular culture
[edit]The Conception Bank silver boa is a featured part of the story in T.C. Boyle's novel Blue Skies[8]. The discovery of the Silver Boa and researcher R. Graham Reynolds are featured in the book Bill Nye's Great Big World of Science.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Reynolds, R.G. (2017). "Chilabothrus argentum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T118470875A118470877. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T118470875A118470877.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Reynolds, R. Graham; Puente-Rolón, Alberto R.; Geneva, Anthony J.; Aviles-Rodriguez, Kevin J. & Herrmann, Nicholas C. (2016). "Discovery of a remarkable new boa from the Conception Island Bank, Bahamas". Breviora. 549 (1): 1–19. doi:10.3099/brvo-549-00-1-19.1.
- ^ Chilabothrus argentum at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Silver Boa: Scientists Discover New Snake Species in Bahamas". Breaking Science News | Sci-News.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
- ^ a b c Reynolds, R. Graham; Puente-Rolón, Alberto R.; Geneva, Anthony J. (2022-08). "Natural History and Morphometrics of the Newly Discovered and Critically Endangered Conception Bank Silver Boa (Chilabothrus argentum; Squamata; Boidae)". Caribbean Naturalist. 88: 1–20. ISSN 2326-7119.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Reynolds, R. Graham; Henderson, Robert W.; Díaz, Luis M.; Rodríguez-Cabrera, Tomás M.; Puente-Rolón, Alberto R. (03/15/2023). Boas of the West Indies. Ithaca: Comstock Publishing Associates. ISBN 9781501765452.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Silver Boa: the new treasure of the Bahamas". BBC Science Focus Magazine. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
- ^ Boyle, T. C. (May 16, 2023). Blue Skies. Liveright. ISBN 978-1324093022.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Nye, Bill (2020). Bill Nye's Great Big World of Science. Gregory Mone. New York, NY: Abrams, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4197-4676-5.