Boa (genus)

Taxobox
name = "Boa"


image_caption = Boa constrictor, "B. constrictor"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Boidae
subfamilia = Boinae
genus = "Boa"
genus_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
synonyms = * "Boa" - Linnaeus, 1758
* "Constrictor" - Laurenti, 1768
* "Pelophilus" - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
* "Sanzinia" - Gray, 1849
* "Acrantophis" - Jan "In" Jan & Sordelli, 1860McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).]

:"Common names: boas,ITIS|ID=209568|taxon="Boa"|year=2008|date=5 July] boa constrictors.Noonan BP, Chippindale PT. 2006. Dispersal and vicariance: The complex evolutionary history of boid snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 40, 347-358. doi|10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.010|10.1016/j.ympev.2006.03.010] ""Boa" is a genus of non-venomous boas found in Mexico, Central and South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island. Four species are currently recognized.

Description

The largest member of this group, "B. c. constrictor", has been reported to grow to a maximum size of 18 feet (5.5 m) in length, although some believe that particular specimen was misidentified. It has an interesting color pattern of brown and black with a red tail. Feeding on birds and small mammals, it does well in captivity, tames easily and is a common sight in zoos and homes.

Geographic range

Found in Mexico, Central America, South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island.

pecies

"*) Not including the nominate subspecies." ^T) Type species.

Taxonomy

Although four are currently placed in this genus, "B. constrictor" is not considered to be closely related to the other three. Consequently, the latter are often moved to other genera, particularly "Acrantophis" and "Sanzinia". Nevertheless, all are commonly known as "boa constrictors". To add further to the naming confusion, many species of snake in Boidae are known as "boas" and all are constrictors. Also, more than a few subspecies of "B. constrictor" are recognized, several of which have distinct common names.

ee also

* List of boine species and subspecies
*
*

References

Further reading

* Kluge AG. 1991. Boine Snake Phylogeny and Research Cycles. Misc. Pub. Museum of Zoology, Univ. of Michigan No. 178. 58 pp. [http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56422/1/MP178.pdf PDF] at [http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/ University of Michigan Library] . Accessed 11 July 2008.
* Vences M, Glaw F, Kosuch J, Böhme W, Veith M. 2001. Phylogeny of South American and Malagasy Boine Snakes: Molecular Evidence for the Validity of "Sanzinia" and "Acrantophis" and Biogeographic Implications. Copeia No 4. p. 1151-1154. [http://www.mvences.de/p/p1/Vences_A27.pdf PDF] at [http://www.mvences.de/ Miguel Vences] . Accessed 29 August 2008.
* Vences M, Glaw F. 2003. Phylogeography, systematics and conservation status of boid snakes from Madagascar ("Sanzinia" and "Acrantophis"). Salamandra, Reinbach, 39(3/4): p. 181-206. [http://www.mvences.de/p/p2/Vences_B83.pdf PDF] at [http://www.mvences.de/ Miguel Vences] . Accessed 29 August 2008.

External links

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