Volume 5: Elapid Key ID Flashcards
Genera Key
Row of scales between eye and upper labials?
A: Yes.
Acanthophis
Genera Key
Row of scales between eye and upper labials?
A: No.
Anal scale Single or Divided?
Genera Key
Anal scale Single or Anal scale Divided?
A: Single.
Subcaudal scales Divided or Single?
Genera Key
Anal scale Single or Divided?
A: Divided.
All subcaudals Single, or some subcaudals Divided?
Genera Key
Subcaudal scales Divided or Single?
A: Divided.
Oxyuranus.
Genera Key
Subcaudal scales Divided or Single?
A: Single.
Dorsal scales Smooth or Keeled?
Genera Key
Dorsal scales Smooth or Keeled?
A: Smooth.
Lips Barred or Unbarred?
Genera Key
Dorsal scales Smooth or Keeled?
A: Keeled.
Tropidechis.
Genera Key
Lips Barred or Unbarred?
A: Barred.
Midbody scales 19-21 or 17?
Genera Key
Lips Barred or Unbarred?
A: Unbarred.
Lower secondary temporal scale much Longer Than High
OR
Lower secondary temporal scale As High As Long
Genera Key
Midbody scales 19-21 or 17?
A: 19-21.
Hoplocephalus.
Genera Key
Midbody scales 19-21 or 17?
A: 17
Denisonia.
Genera Key
Lower secondary temporal scale much Longer Than High
OR
Lower secondary temporal scale As High As Long
A: Lower secondary temporal scale much Longer Than High.
Notechis
Genera Key
Lower secondary temporal scale much Longer Than High
OR
Lower secondary temporal scale As High As Long
A: Lower secondary temporal scale As High As Long
Midbody scales 19 or more, or if 15, then Head Prominently Marked with Dark Spots.
OR
Midbody scales 15, Head Unspotted.
Genera Key
Midbody scales 19 or more, or if 15, then Head Prominently Marked with Dark Spots.
OR
Midbody scales 15, Head Unspotted.
A: Midbody scales 19 or more, or if 15, then Head Prominently Marked with Dark Spots.
Suta.
Genera Key
Midbody scales 19 or more, or if 15, then Head Prominently Marked with Dark Spots.
OR
Midbody scales 15, Head Unspotted.
A: Midbody scales 15, Head Unspotted.
Black Hood on Head, much darker than back, with Pale Notch in front of each eye.
OR
No Black Hood on Head, or if present, then Continuous with a Prominent Dark Vertebral Stripe; rarely a pale notch in front of each eye.
Genera Key
Black Hood on Head, much darker than back, with Pale Notch in front of each eye.
OR
No Black Hood on Head, or if present, then Continuous with a Prominent Dark Vertebral Stripe; rarely a pale notch in front of each eye.
A: Black Hood on Head, much darker than back, with Pale Notch in front of each eye.
Parasuta.
Genera Key
Black Hood on Head, much darker than back, with Pale Notch in front of each eye.
OR
No Black Hood on Head, or if present, then Continuous with a Prominent Dark Vertebral Stripe; rarely a pale notch in front of each eye.
A: No Black Hood on Head, or if present, then Continuous with a Prominent Dark Vertebral Stripe; rarely a pale notch in front of each eye.
Cryptophis.
Genera Key
All subcaudals Single, or some subcaudals Divided?
A: All Single.
Hemiapsis.
*Occasional individuals of Pseudechis with all single subcaudals would erroneously key out to Hemiapsis.
Genera Key
All subcaudals Single, or some subcaudals Divided?
A: Some subcaudals Divided.
All subcaudal scales Divided (at most a few Single anteriors)
OR
At least 20% of subcaudals Single.
Genera Key
All subcaudal scales Divided (at most a few Single anteriors)
OR
At least 20% of subcaudals Single.
A: All subcaudal scales Divided (at most a few Single anteriors)
Subcaudal scales Fewer than 35 Pairs?
OR
Subcaudal scales More than 35 Pairs?
Genera Key
All subcaudal scales Divided (at most a few Single anteriors)
OR
At least 20% of subcaudals Single.
A: At least 20% of subcaudals Single.
Pseudechis.
*Occasional individuals of Pseudechis with all single subcaudals would erroneously key out to Hemiapsis.
Genera Key
Subcaudal scales Fewer than 35 Pairs?
OR
Subcaudal scales More than 35 Pairs?
A: Subcaudal scales Fewer than 35 Pairs?
Black and White Rings around body?
OR
Bands present or absent but no rings encircling body?
Genera Key
Subcaudal scales Fewer than 35 Pairs?
OR
Subcaudal scales More than 35 Pairs?
A: Subcaudal scales More than 35 Pairs?
Nasal and preocular scales in Contact?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales Separated by contact between prefrontal and upper labial scales?
Genera Key
Black and White Rings around body?
OR
Bands present or absent but no rings encircling body?
A: Black and White Rings around body?
Vermicella.
Genera Key
Black and White Rings around body?
OR
Bands present or absent but no rings encircling body?
A: Bands present or absent but no rings encircling body?
Ventral surfaces Pale and Patternless?
OR
Ventral surfaces Dark, or Marked with Narrow dark bands or longitudal rows of dark blotches.
Genera Key
Ventral surfaces Pale and Patternless?
OR
Ventral surfaces Dark, or Marked with Narrow dark bands or longitudal rows of dark blotches.
A: Ventral surfaces Pale and Patternless?
Rostral scale upturned with an acute cutting edge, or if only weakly protrusive, then body marked with numerous narrow dark bands?
OR
Rostral scale weakly protrusive and not upturned; body marked with a netted pattern?
Genera Key
Ventral surfaces Pale and Patternless?
OR
Ventral surfaces Dark, or Marked with Narrow dark bands or longitudal rows of dark blotches.
A: Ventral surfaces Dark, or Marked with Narrow dark bands or longitudal rows of dark blotches.
Cacophis (part)
Genera Key
Rostral scale upturned with an acute cutting edge, or if only weakly protrusive, then body marked with numerous narrow dark bands?
OR
Rostral scale weakly protrusive and not upturned; body marked with a netted pattern?
A: Rostral scale upturned with an acute cutting edge, or if only weakly protrusive, then body marked with numerous narrow dark bands?
Brachyurophis.
Genera Key
Rostral scale upturned with an acute cutting edge, or if only weakly protrusive, then body marked with numerous narrow dark bands?
OR
Rostral scale weakly protrusive and not upturned; body marked with a netted pattern?
A: Rostral scale weakly protrusive and not upturned; body marked with a netted pattern?
Antaioserpens.
Genera Key
Nasal and preocular scales in Contact?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales Separated by contact between prefrontal and upper labial scales?
A: Nasal and preocular scales in Contact?
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 17 or more rows?
Genera Key
Nasal and preocular scales in Contact?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales Separated by contact between prefrontal and upper labial scales?
A: Nasal and preocular scales Separated by contact between prefrontal and upper labial scales?
Furina.
Genera Key
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 17 or more rows?
A: Midbody scales in 15 rows?
Eye small; pale band or streak on neck; no narrow line across front of snout?
OR
Eye very large; neck markings present or absent, but if present, then a narrow line runs across front of snout between nostrils.
Genera Key
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 17 or more rows?
A: Midbody scales in 17 or more rows?
Pseudonaja.
Genera Key
Eye small; pale band or streak on neck; no narrow line across front of snout?
OR
Eye very large; neck markings present or absent, but if present, then a narrow line runs across front of snout between nostrils.
A: Eye small; pale band or streak on neck; no narrow line across front of snout?
Cacophis (part)
Genera Key
Eye small; pale band or streak on neck; no narrow line across front of snout?
OR
Eye very large; neck markings present or absent, but if present, then a narrow line runs across front of snout between nostrils.
A: Eye very large; neck markings present or absent, but if present, then a narrow line runs across front of snout between nostrils.
Demansia.
Elapid Key
Acanthophis Key
Very strongly rugose head shields and strongly keeled body scales?
OR
Smooth to moderately rugose head shields and smooth to very weakly keeled body scales?
Elapid Key
Very strongly rugose head shields and strongly keeled body scales?
OR
Smooth to moderately rugose head shields and smooth to very weakly keeled body scales?
A: Very strongly rugose head shields and strongly keeled body scales?
Acanthophis Pyrrhus
Elapid Key
Very strongly rugose head shields and strongly keeled body scales?
OR
Smooth to moderately rugose head shields and smooth to very weakly keeled body scales?
A: Smooth to moderately rugose head shields and smooth to very weakly keeled body scales?
Acanthophis Antarcticus / Praelongus
Elapid Key
Brachyurophis Key
Snout upturned, with acute tranverse cutting edge; nasal scale contacts preocular scale, separating prefrontal from upper labials?
OR
Snout not upturned, with very weak transverse cutting edge; nasal separated from preocular by contact of prefrontal with upper labials?
Elapid Key
Snout upturned, with acute tranverse cutting edge; nasal scale contacts preocular scale, separating prefrontal from upper labials?
OR
Snout not upturned, with very weak transverse cutting edge; nasal separated from preocular by contact of prefrontal with upper labials?
A: Snout upturned, with acute tranverse cutting edge; nasal scale contacts preocular scale, separating prefrontal from upper labials?
Bands absent on body?
OR
Bands present on body?
Elapid Key
Snout upturned, with acute tranverse cutting edge; nasal scale contacts preocular scale, separating prefrontal from upper labials?
OR
Snout not upturned, with very weak transverse cutting edge; nasal separated from preocular by contact of prefrontal with upper labials?
A: Snout not upturned, with very weak transverse cutting edge; nasal separated from preocular by contact of prefrontal with upper labials?
Brachyurophis Fasciolatus
Elapid Key
Bands absent on body?
OR
Bands present on body?
A: Bands absent on body?
Brachyurophis Incinctus
Elapid Key
Bands absent on body?
OR
Bands present on body?
A: Bands present on body?
Dark bands composed of dark-edged paler scales?
OR
Dark bands composed of wholly dark scales?
Elapid Key
Dark bands composed of dark-edged paler scales?
OR
Dark bands composed of wholly dark scales?
A: Dark bands composed of dark-edged paler scales?
Brachyurophis Australis
Elapid Key
Dark bands composed of dark-edged paler scales?
OR
Dark bands composed of wholly dark scales?
A: Dark bands composed of wholly dark scales?
Brachyurophis Campbelli
Elapid Key
Cacophis Key
Complete band across back of neck?
OR
Pale streak along each side of neck, failing to form a complete band?
Elapid Key
Complete band across back of neck?
OR
Pale streak along each side of neck, failing to form a complete band?
A: Complete band across back of neck?
Broad white band, about 4 scales wide, across back of neck?
OR
Narrow yellow band, no more than 2 scales wide, across back of neck?
Elapid Key
Complete band across back of neck?
OR
Pale streak along each side of neck, failing to form a complete band?
A: Pale streak along each side of neck, failing to form a complete band?
Cacophis Squamulosus
Elapid Key
Broad white band, about 4 scales wide, across back of neck?
OR
Narrow yellow band, no more than 2 scales wide, across back of neck?
A: Broad white band, about 4 scales wide, across back of neck?
Cacophis Harriettae
Elapid Key
Broad white band, about 4 scales wide, across back of neck?
OR
Narrow yellow band, no more than 2 scales wide, across back of neck?
A: Narrow yellow band, no more than 2 scales wide, across back of neck?
Belly pale yellow with narrow dark edges to ventral scales; SEQ to CQC?
OR
Belly usually dark grey; WT?
Elapid Key
Belly pale yellow with narrow dark edges to ventral scales; SEQ to CQC?
OR
Belly usually dark grey; WT?
A: Belly pale yellow with narrow dark edges to ventral scales; SEQ to CQC?
Cacophis Krefftii
Elapid Key
Belly pale yellow with narrow dark edges to ventral scales; SEQ to CQC?
OR
Belly usually dark grey; WT?
A: Belly usually dark grey; WT?
Cacophis Churchilli
Elapid Key
Cryptophis Key
Prefontal scales in broad contact with upper labial scales?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales in contact, separating prefontals from upper labial scales?
Elapid Key
Prefontal scales in broad contact with upper labial scales?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales in contact, separating prefontals from upper labial scales?
A: Prefontal scales in broad contact with upper labial scales?
Cryptophis Boschmai
Elapid Key
Prefontal scales in broad contact with upper labial scales?
OR
Nasal and preocular scales in contact, separating prefontals from upper labial scales?
A: Nasal and preocular scales in contact, separating prefontals from upper labial scales?
Uniformly dark above?
OR
Dorsal color including brown or pink?
Elapid Key
Uniformly dark above?
OR
Dorsal color including brown or pink?
A: Uniformly dark above?
Cryptophis Nigrescens
Elapid Key
Uniformly dark above?
OR
Dorsal color including brown or pink?
A: Dorsal color including brown or pink?
Uniformly pink?
OR
Dark headed and dark vertebral stripe?
Elapid Key
Uniformly pink?
OR
Dark headed and dark vertebral stripe?
A: Uniformly pink?
Cryptophis Incredibilis
Elapid Key
Uniformly pink?
OR
Dark headed and dark vertebral stripe?
A: Dark headed and dark vertebral stripe?
Cryptophis Nigrostriatus
Elapid Key
Demansia Key
Dark spots on anterior ventrals, diverging as they extend back?
OR
Anterior ventrals patternless or with dark posterior edge?
Elapid Key
Dark spots on anterior ventrals, diverging as they extend back?
OR
Anterior ventrals patternless or with dark posterior edge?
A: Dark spots on anterior ventrals, diverging as they extend back?
Demansia Rimicola
Elapid Key
Dark spots on anterior ventrals, diverging as they extend back?
OR
Anterior ventrals patternless or with dark posterior edge?
A: Anterior ventrals patternless or with dark posterior edge?
One or more dark nuchal bands (fading with age)?
OR
No dark nuchal bands on juveniles or adults?
Elapid Key
One or more dark nuchal bands (fading with age)?
OR
No dark nuchal bands on juveniles or adults?
A: One or more dark nuchal bands (fading with age)?
Dark nuchal band(s) with distinct pale edge; when faded, some indication of pale edge persists along on sides of neck?
OR
Dark nuchal band with no pale edges; NWH only?
Elapid Key
One or more dark nuchal bands (fading with age)?
OR
No dark nuchal bands on juveniles or adults?
A: No dark nuchal bands on juveniles or adults?
Ventral scales mostly dark gray; no dark line across snout (weak if present, and lacking pale edges)
OR
Ventral scales pale yellow to cream; pale edged dark line across snout?
Elapid Key
Dark nuchal band(s) with distinct pale edge; when faded, some indication of pale edge persists along on sides of neck?
OR
Dark nuchal band with no pale edges; NWH only?
A: Dark nuchal band(s) with distinct pale edge; when faded, some indication of pale edge persists along on sides of neck?
Two dark nuchal bands?
OR
One dark nuchal band?
Elapid Key
Dark nuchal band(s) with distinct pale edge; when faded, some indication of pale edge persists along on sides of neck?
OR
Dark nuchal band with no pale edges; NWH only?
A: Dark nuchal band with no pale edges; NWH only?
Demansia Quaesitor (part)
Elapid Key
Two dark nuchal bands?
OR
One dark nuchal band?
A: Two dark nuchal bands?
Demansia Flagellatio
Elapid Key
Two dark nuchal bands?
OR
One dark nuchal band?
A: One dark nuchal band?
Demansia Torquata
Elapid Key
Ventral scales mostly dark gray; no dark line across snout (weak if present, and lacking pale edges)
OR
Ventral scales pale yellow to cream; pale edged dark line across snout?
A: Ventral scales mostly dark gray; no dark line across snout (weak if present, and lacking pale edges)
Ventral scales fewer than 197?
OR
Ventral scales more than 198?
Elapid Key
Ventral scales mostly dark gray; no dark line across snout (weak if present, and lacking pale edges)
OR
Ventral scales pale yellow to cream; pale edged dark line across snout?
A: Ventral scales pale yellow to cream; pale edged dark line across snout?
Dark comma under eye short, emding on 5th upper labial scale?
OR
Dark comma under eye long, extending across 5th upper labial scale and well onto 6th?
Elapid Key
Ventral scales fewer than 197?
OR
Ventral scales more than 198?
A: Ventral scales fewer than 197?
Demansia Vestigiata
Elapid Key
Ventral scales fewer than 197?
OR
Ventral scales more than 198?
A: Ventral scales more than 198?
Demansia Papuensis
Elapid Key
Dark comma under eye short, emding on 5th upper labial scale?
OR
Dark comma under eye long, extending across 5th upper labial scale and well onto 6th?
A: Dark comma under eye short, emding on 5th upper labial scale?
Demansia Psammophis
Elapid Key
Dark comma under eye short, emding on 5th upper labial scale?
OR
Dark comma under eye long, extending across 5th upper labial scale and well onto 6th?
A: Dark comma under eye long, extending across 5th upper labial scale and well onto 6th?
Demansia Quaesitor (part)
Elapid Key
Furina Key
Nasal scale divided or nearly divided by nostril?
OR
Nasal scale not divided?
Elapid Key
Nasal scale divided or nearly divided by nostril?
OR
Nasal scale not divided?
A: Nasal scale divided or nearly divided by nostril?
Midbody scales in 21 rows?
OR
Midbody scales fewer than 21 rows?
Elapid Key
Nasal scale divided or nearly divided by nostril?
OR
Nasal scale not divided?
A: Nasal scale not divided?
Red mark on neck largely enclosed within dark pigment?
OR
Red mark on neck forms a band broadly bisecting dark pigment?
Elapid Key
Midbody scales in 21 rows?
OR
Midbody scales fewer than 21 rows?
A: Midbody scales in 21 rows?
Furina Dunmalli
Elapid Key
Midbody scales in 21 rows?
OR
Midbody scales fewer than 21 rows?
A: Midbody scales fewer than 21 rows?
Midbody scales in 17 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
Elapid Key
Midbody scales in 17 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
A: Midbody scales in 17 rows?
Furina Tristis
Elapid Key
Midbody scales in 17 rows?
OR
Midbody scales in 15 rows?
A: Midbody scales in 15 rows?
Furina Barnardi
Elapid Key
Red mark on neck largely enclosed within dark pigment?
OR
Red mark on neck forms a band broadly bisecting dark pigment?
A: Red mark on neck largely enclosed within dark pigment?
Furina Diadema
Elapid Key
Red mark on neck largely enclosed within dark pigment?
OR
Red mark on neck forms a band broadly bisecting dark pigment?
A: Red mark on neck forms a band broadly bisecting dark pigment?
Furina Ornata
Elapid Key
Pseudechis Key
17 midbody scales?
OR
19 (rarely 21) midbody scales?
Elapid Key
17 midbody scales?
OR
19 (rarely 21) midbody scales?
A: 17 midbody scales?
Black above; iris black?
OR
Brown above; iris reddish brown?
Elapid Key
17 midbody scales?
OR
19 (rarely 21) midbody scales?
A: 19 (rarely 21) midbody scales?
Ventral scales 200 or fewer?
OR
Ventral scales 205 or more?
Elapid Key
Black above; iris black?
OR
Brown above; iris reddish brown?
A: Black above; iris black?
Pseudechis Porphyriacus
Elapid Key
Black above; iris black?
OR
Brown above; iris reddish brown?
A: Brown above; iris reddish brown?
Head broad; no streaks on neck; TL to 2m?
OR
Head relatively narrow; neck usually streaked; TL to 2.1m?
Elapid Key
Head broad; no streaks on neck; TL to 2m?
OR
Head relatively narrow; neck usually streaked; TL to 2.1m?
A: Head broad; no streaks on neck; TL to 2m?
Pseudechis Australis
Elapid Key
Head broad; no streaks on neck; TL to 2m?
OR
Head relatively narrow; neck usually streaked; TL to 2.1m?
A: Head relatively narrow; neck usually streaked; TL to 2.1m?
Pseudechis Pailsei
Elapid Key
Ventral scales 200 or fewer?
OR
Ventral scales 205 or more?
A: Ventral scales 200 or fewer?
Pseudechis Guttatus
Elapid Key
Ventral scales 200 or fewer?
OR
Ventral scales 205 or more?
A: Ventral scales 205 or more?
Body blotched or banded; MGD?
OR
Body patternless; nthn Torres Strait?
Elapid Key
Body blotched or banded; MGD?
OR
Body patternless; nthn Torres Strait?
A: Body blotched or banded; MGD?
Pseudechis Colletti
Elapid Key
Body blotched or banded; MGD?
OR
Body patternless; nthn Torres Strait?
A: Body patternless; nthn Torres Strait?
Pseudechis Papuanus
Elapid Key
Pseudonaja Key
Midbody scales 21 (rarely 19)?
OR
Midbody scales 17?
Elapid Key
Midbody scales 21 (rarely 19)?
OR
Midbody scales 17?
A: Midbody scales 21 (rarely 19)?
Pseudonaja Guttata
Elapid Key
Midbody scales 21 (rarely 19)?
OR
Midbody scales 17?
A: Midbody scales 17?
Ventral scales fewer than 185?
OR
Ventral scales more than 185?
Elapid Key
Ventral scales fewer than 185?
OR
Ventral scales more than 185?
A: Ventral scales fewer than 185?
Pseudonaja Modesta
Elapid Key
Ventral scales fewer than 185?
OR
Ventral scales more than 185?
A: Ventral scales more than 185?
Mouth lining flesh colored?
OR
Mouth lining blackish?
Elapid Key
Mouth lining flesh colored?
OR
Mouth lining blackish?
A: Mouth lining flesh colored?
Snout rounded from above?
OR
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale?
Elapid Key
Mouth lining flesh colored?
OR
Mouth lining blackish?
A: Mouth lining blackish?
Iris very dark and difficult to determine; cracking clay soils of wstn MGD?
OR
Iris includes a clearly visible (sometimes broken) orange circle around pupil; tropical woodlands or sandy deserts?
Elapid Key
Snout rounded from above?
OR
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale?
A: Snout rounded from above?
Pseudonaja Textilis
Elapid Key
Snout rounded from above?
OR
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale?
A: Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale?
Pseudonaja Aspidorhyncha
Elapid Key
Iris very dark and difficult to determine; cracking clay soils of wstn MGD?
OR
Iris includes a clearly visible (sometimes broken) orange circle around pupil; tropical woodlands or sandy deserts?
A: Iris very dark and difficult to determine; cracking clay soils of wstn MGD?
Pseudonaja Ingrami
Elapid Key
Iris very dark and difficult to determine; cracking clay soils of wstn MGD?
OR
Iris includes a clearly visible (sometimes broken) orange circle around pupil; tropical woodlands or sandy deserts?
A: Iris includes a clearly visible (sometimes broken) orange circle around pupil; tropical woodlands or sandy deserts?
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale; tropical woodlands?
OR
Snout rounded from above; sandy deserts?
Elapid Key
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale; tropical woodlands?
OR
Snout rounded from above; sandy deserts?
A: Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale; tropical woodlands?
Pseudonaja Nuchalis
Elapid Key
Snout squared or chiseled from above, formed by broad, strap-like rostral scale; tropical woodlands?
OR
Snout rounded from above; sandy deserts?
A: Snout rounded from above; sandy deserts?
Pseudonaja Mengdeni
