Two rare species in Espírito Santo state, Brazil: rediscovery of Apostolepis longicaudata Gomes, 1921 (Squamata, Dipsadidae) and Drymoluber brazili (Gomes, 1918) (Squamata, Colubridae)

Abstract

We report the rediscovery of two species of rare snake  in Espírito Santo state, Brazil: Aposto­lepis longicaudata Gomes, 1921 (also rare elsewhere in Brazil) and Drymoluber brazili (Gomes, 1918). Apostolepis longicaudata has gone undetected in Espírito Santo for  66 years and Drymoluber brazili for 46 years. Espírito Santo state has only 10% of its forests remaining, and so the rediscovery of these forest‑dwelling species emphasizes the importance of small forest remnants for the conservation. These species have been assessed as Critically Endangered and Endangered in Espírito Santo state.