Check List 21(2): 420-426, doi: 10.15560/21.2.420

First report of the invasive Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), Flowerpot Blindsnake (Serpentes, Typhlopidae), in Ecuador

Eduardo Zavala^‡, Alejandro Arteaga^§|

‡ Unaffiliated, Guayaquil, Ecuador§ Khamai Foundation, Quito, Ecuador| Tropical Herping, Quito, Ecuador

Academic editor: Julie Ray

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Zavala E, Arteaga A (2025) First report of the invasive Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), Flowerpot Blindsnake (Serpentes, Typhlopidae), in Ecuador. Check List 21(2): 420-426. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.2.420

Abstract

Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), a fossorial snake of the family Typhlopidae, is reported for the first time in Guayas Province, Ecuador. These new records extend this species’ distribution to South America. Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, I. braminus has spread worldwide through unintentional transport with ornamental plants. As one of the smallest snakes, it reproduces via triploid parthenogenesis and thrives in diverse habitats. Its accidental introduction may pose risks to local biodiversity. Monitoring and management efforts are required to control its spread and mitigate ecological impacts.

Keywords

Biodiversity, exotic species, fossorial, parthenogenesis