Phalotris
Phalotris is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. All species of the genus Phalotris are native to South America. The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. The specific name, normanscotti, is in honor of Norman Scott, Jr., in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Paraguay.
Venom
The venom of the genus Phalotris was poorly characterized, due to the low amount produced by snakes of the family Colubridae. A more detailed characterization of particularly interesting proteins could only be viable by obtaining recombinant proteins. However, there is a report of an incident of snakebite by a Phalotris, which resulted in headache, local and oral mucosa hemorrhage, edema, and renal failure. Another incident report occurred with a 37-year-old biologist, whose symptoms were immediate local pain, bleeding, and edema. A few hours later, there was headache, systemic hemorrhage, fever, myalgia, and dark urine. A study of the venom of Phalotris mertensi showed a myotoxic action three times greater than Bothrops jararaca.Species
The following 19 species are recognized as being valid.Phalotris bilineatus – Dumeril's diadem snakePhalotris concolor Ferrarezzi, 1993Phalotris cuyanus Phalotris illustrator Scrocchi, Giraudo & Nenda, 2022Phalotris labiomaculatus de Lema, 2002Phalotris lativittatus Ferrarezzi, 1993Phalotris lemniscatus – Duméril's diadem snake, Pampeana black headed snakePhalotris matogrossensis de Lema, D'Agostini & Cappellari, 2005 – Mato Grosso burrowing snakePhalotris mertensi Phalotris multipunctatus Puorto & Ferrarezzi, 1993Phalotris nasutus Phalotris nigrilatus Ferrarezzi, 1993Phalotris normanscotti Cabral & Cacciali, 2015 – Chaco burrowing snakePhalotris reticulatus Phalotris sansebastiani Jansen & G. Köhler, 2008Phalotris shawnella P. Smith, Brouard & Cacciali, 2022Phalotris spegazzinii Phalotris suspectus – Dumeril's diadem snakePhalotris tricolor – tricolored burrowing snakeNota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Phalotris.