A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America) — John Shaqi
A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America)Wellman, John
Science
A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America)
Wellman, John
Conophis; Snakes -- Central America
_Maxillo-palatal-pterygoid arch._--In an articulated skull, the
anterior edge of the maxillary is immediately posterior to the lateral
tip of the premaxillary (fig. 7). The maxillary is curved moderately
laterally and is not robust at its tip, but it becomes heavier about
one-third of its length posteriorly. A dorsomedian process begins at
about one-third of its distance from the anterior end; the prefrontal
articulates with this process. The process is broad and almost flat,
except that at its medial end, an elongate, rounded knob extends
ventrally. The dorsomedian process of the maxillary extends toward,
but does not meet, a lateral process from the palatine. The maxillary
teeth are set in sockets on the ventral surface of the bone. Just
posterior to the level of the last prediastemal tooth is the median
trans-palatine process that articulates with the anteromedian part of
the trans-palatine. Immediately posterior to this process, the
maxillary narrows slightly; then it broadens to form an obliquely
oriented knob. The posteroventral surface of the posterior knob of the
maxillary bears one or two enlarged maxillary teeth. (These teeth are
discussed further in the section on Dentition.) The anterolateral part
of the trans-palatine articulates with the dorsal surface of the
posterior knob of the maxillary. Toward the middle of its length, the
trans-palatine narrows considerably; then it broadens again and
articulates with the pterygoid. The palatine is slightly rounded at
its anterior end, which extends anteriorly to the posterior margin of
the vacuity containing Jacobson's organ. The palatine extends
posteriorly to the trans-palatine process of the maxilla, where the
palatine articulates with the pterygoid. A posterior pterygoid process
from the palatine projects posteromedially from the end of the
palatine and overlaps the anterior end of the pterygoid. Just less
than one-half the distance from the anterior end of the palatine,
there is a lateral process that curves ventrolaterally forming a blunt
tip posteriorly. Slightly more posteriorly and on the medial side of
the palatine, is a medial sphenoid process, which is thin, rather
broad, and curves ventromedially; ultimately it comes to lie near the
anterior part of the parasphenoid. The palatine teeth are set in
shallow sockets on the ventral edge of the bone. Of the bones of the
maxillo-palatal-pterygoid arch, those on the pterygoid extend farthest
posteriorly. The pterygoid is broad medially and posteriorly, although
pointed at its posterior tip. The trans-palatine articulates in a
broad line at about one-third of the distance along the lateral margin
of the pterygoid. Immediately posterior to this articulation, there is
a median ridge on the pterygoid; lateral to the pterygoid ridge is an
abrupt hollow, the pterygoid groove. Posteromedially, this groove
becomes gradually more shallow and disappears. The dorsal surface of
the pterygoid is rounded anteriorly and somewhat flattened
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