Bayesian inference tree of Erythrolamprus species from Genbank MtDNA 12S+16SrDNA+c-mos sequences (1332 bp). Red stars indicate Bayesian inference and ML posterior probabilities (> 95%) and bootstrap (> 70%) support values above and below nodes, respectively. Clade in orange shows E. zweifeli, in green E. melanotus, and in blue E. pseudoreginae sp. n. (AF158433) is from French Guiana, and E. reginae (JQ598983) is from Brazil.

A comparison of the five members of the Erythrolamprus reginae group. A E. reginae for Guyana (FMNH 30959) B E. zweifeli from Venezuela (FMNH 204477) C E. melanotus from Tobago (UWIZM.2012.42.19) D E. pseudoreginae sp. n. from Tobago (FLMNH 91621) E E. epinephalus from Venezuela (MBLUZ 1502).

A comparison of the scale arrangements on the crowns and ventral heads of the Erythrolamprus taxa under discussion. A E. pseudoreginae sp. n. from Tobago B E. epinephalus from Venezuela MBLUZ 1501 (dorsal view) and 1500 (ventral view) C, D Salt and pepper morph of E. zweifeli from Trinidad and Venezuela E An olive-brown morph of E. zweifeli Trinidad, FMNH 215827 F A melanistic morph of E. zweifeli from Venezuela EBRG 2745.

Geographic distribution of the five species of Erythrolamprus under discussion in this paper. A The distribution of the species of Erythrolamprus under discussion in northern Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago B More detailed view of the distribution on Trinidad and Tobago C Tobago with the known localities for E. pseudoreginae sp. n. Note that two of the markers closely overlap. Key: black stars = E. zweifeli from Cordillera de Costa in Venezuela and the island of Trinidad; green circles = E. epinephalus from the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela. Note that these markers denote the closest population to Tobago based on Roze (1966). Specimens examined came from several different locations. Purple stars = E. reginae from the Guianas including Orinoco Delta in Venezuela; red stars = E. melanotus from Venezuela, Trinidad, and Tobago; blue star = Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae sp. n. on Tobago.

A, B Variations in the olive color morph of Erythrolamprus zweifeli from Trinidad (photographs by Michael Patrikeev) C the middle photo shows the “salt and pepper” morph that occurs at higher elevation (photograph by JCM). Both color morphs are included in our molecular sample D E. zweifeli Rancho Grande, Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, Luis A. Rodriguez J. E the Royal Snake, Erythrolamprus reginae from Kaiteur, Guyana (photograph by P Kok).

Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae. AUWIZM 2016.22.45, holotype B–D FLMNH 91621 from Gilpin Trace, on Tobago’s Main Ridge. B Profile. Of the four specimens examined this was the only one that had nine upper labials (on one side only) C The posterior lateral stripe bordered by a dorsal light stripe D Venter mostly uniform with patches of scattered pigment.