A New Species of Siphlophis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from the Eastern Andean Slopes of Ecuador

We describe a new species of Siphlophis from the Amazonian slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, in the provinces of Azuay, Tungurahua, and Zamora Chinchipe. This is the third species of Siphlophis known from Ecuador and the seventh species in the genus. The new species of Siphlophis is distinguished from all other Siphlophis by characters of external morphology and coloration. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of molecular characters places it in Siphlophis and strongly supports our assessment that the species is new and valid. A key to the species of Siphlophis is provided.