Randy Powell

• Doctor of Philosophy
• INVESTIGADOR (Herpetología) at Universidad Autónoma del Beni

We present the first records of Dryophylax hypoconia (Cope, 1860) from Bolivia and discuss its range in South America. These are currently the westernmost records of this species and extends the known western range by ~900 km from the nearest known range boundary. There is a lack of information for D. hypoconia in the scientific literature, which i...

We present information on the occurrence of colubrid vine snakes (Oxybelis) and dipsadid sharpnose snakes (Xenoxybelis) from the lowlands of Bolivia. These genera have been poorly reported from Bolivia and information presented herein includes nine new record provincials from the departments of Beni, Cochabamba, La Paz, Pando, and Santa Cruz, Boliv...

The Department of Beni, in the country of Bolivia, is thought to host a significant level of biodiversity as a result of its tropical, moist, and diverse climate and landscape. However, the biodiversity of Beni is also considered poorly known and understudied due to its inaccessible landscapes, socio-economic challenges, and an overall lack of biod...

Different sources of information indicate the possible presence of Teratohyla midas (Lynch & Duellman, 1973) in Bolivia; however, none of them confirm this scenario. Here we confirm the presence of T. midas in the northern Bolivian Amazon (Pando Department) and extend the geographical distribution of the species to include Bolivia. Likewise, we con...

We present novel distributional information on the little-known snake species Dryophylax chaquensis (Bergna & Álvarez, 1993) in Bolivia, including the first record from Cochabamba Department. Our record extends the distribution of this species towards the Bolivian Inter-Andean Dry Forests by approximately 63 km to the west (in a straight line) from...

This herpetology note describes a specimen of Oxyrhopus melanogenys encountered in Buen Retiro, municipality of Riberalta, Beni, Bolivia, with an injury on its lower mandible. (specimen at CIRA-UABJB).

Little information for Eunectes beniensis (Dirksen, 2002) (Serpentes, Boidae) exists in the scientific literature and museum data. We review the natural history, diet, reproduction, distribution of this species and discuss its identifying characteristics. We present new records and discuss the species' distribution in Bolivia. As reported in the pr...

Species account for Chilabothrus subflavus that includes taxonomy, description, diagnosis, phylogenetic relationships, conservation status, illustrations, distribution, fossil record, pertinent literature, and a comprehensive bibliography. Published by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

OXYBELIS FULGIDUS (Green Vine Snake). DIET

MASTIGODRYAS BODDAERTI (Boddaert’s Tropical Racer). DIET.

We present the first records of Tropidurus chromatops Harvey & Gutberlet, 1998 from the Beni Department (Bolivia) and extend this species' distribution to western Bolivia by approximately 256 km in a straight line to the Beni Floodplains ecoregion. Likewise, we contribute information on some aspects of the natural history, altitude of occurrence, a...

We describe an individual of Anilius scytale (Aniliidae) from the bolivian Amazon, presenting hypomelanism, the first record of this kind of chromatic aberration in this species.

We present an account of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles for the city of Trinidad, Beni Department, Bolivia. We collected information on the herpetofauna inside and around the city’s ring road (intensive and causal searches, bibliographic review, and photographic records) over a 15-year period (2007–2021). We recorded 25 species of amphibi...

We present a new country record for Dipsas indica (Laurenti, 1768) (Serpentes, Colubridae, Dipsadinae) and discuss the species' distribution in Bolivia and South America. Little information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia exists for this species in the scientific literature, which has been largely based on a single museum specime...

In this article we describe two registers of ophiophagy by Clelia clelia in the Bolivian Amazon. The first case described documents a C. clelia feeding on a Helicops angulatus on the outskirts of Riberalta, in the department of Beni. In the second case a C. clelia was seen ingesting an adult Hydrodynastes gigas near the community of Santa Fé, in th...

Snakes display a wide range of skin colors and patterns, acting in ecological, behavioral, and physiological roles. Xanthism has been reported in numerous snake species, including many neotropical taxa. Corallus hortulana is a polychromatic species widely distributed throughout South America. Yellow, patternless individuals, while rare, have been r...

In this contribution published in Herpetology Notes we describe a case of predation of the toad Rhinella major by the Schneider's Smooth-fronted Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus). The case was documented in an artificial pond at Ecological Park Esmeralda, near the city of Riberalta, in the bolivian Amazon. As far as we known this is the first documen...

We present country records and a list of voucher specimens for Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Bolivia. There is scarce information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia for this species in the scientific literature. Additionally, we discuss two newly collected specimens from the Llanos de Moxos, a floodp...

Identifying patterns of herpetofaunal diversity is imperative to the conservation of these species and the ecosystems on which they rely. In this study, we determined species occurrence and composition of the herpetofauna at the Reserva de Biósfera Estación Biológica del Beni and the Chimane Reserve Indigenous Territory. Combined data resulted in d...

We present an additional country record and a list of voucher specimens for Rhinobothryum lentiginosum (Scopoli, 1788) (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Bolivia. Very little published information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia exists for this species. This account contributes to the knowledge of its distributional status by summarizi...

We present a new country record and range extension for the snake species Bothrops taeniatus Wagler, 1824 (Serpen-tes, Viperidae). The specimen represents the northeastmost record in Bolivia and fills the distributional gap between the known Brazilian and Bolivian populations. There is a paucity of published information on locality data and informa...

Jamaican Boas, Chilabothrus subflavus (synonym Epicrates subflavus), comprise one of 13 endemic species of boas distributed throughout the Greater Antillean Islands and Lucayan Archipelago with many of these snake species facing an uncertain future in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, and human persecution have led to popu...

We present new country records and range extensions for the snake Atractus albuquerquei Cunha & Nascimento, 1983 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae). These new records fill in the gap in the species' distribution, extending it into Bolivia. There is a paucity of published information on locality data and information on this species, and this account contribute...

Novel paradigms and advancement of collections-based research for solving societal and global issues has prompted scientists in recent decades to advocate for collections that improve associated data holistically. We review current knowledge, philosophies, and advocacy of this approach to natural history collections and present information about a...

The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a crocodilian species that was once listed as endangered in the United States, but is now harvested both recreationally and commercially throughout its range in the southeastern United States. Harvest of alligators typically includes egg collecting and hunting. However, review of scientific lit...

Previous studies have explored spatial ecology and habitat use of alligators and other crocodilian species. However, few studies have explored these characteristics in urban environments. We studied an alligator population that occurred in an urban-influenced ecosystem, a habitat that has received little scientific attention. Our objectives were to...

Jamaican boas (Chilabothrus subflavus) are a United States-listed Foreign Endangered Species and a Jamaican-protected species whose numbers and distribution have substantially declined. Because much of the literature pertaining to Jamaican boa distribution is based almost entirely on anecdotal evidence, we developed the most up-to-date distribution...

We present a new country record and significant range extension of Erythrolamprus dorsocorallinus from Bolivia. Locality data on this species is lacking and this account significantly contributes to the knowledge its distributional status throughout South America.

We present a significant range extension of Xenopholis werdingorum from Bolivia. There is a dearth of information on this recently described species, and this account significantly contributes to knowledge of its geographic range.

Several species of large Pleistocene tortoises (genera Hesperotestudo and Gopherus) occurred in the southern region of the United States (Texas) and fragmentary skeletal remains are commonly encountered. In some cases, fossil tortoises can be identified using single carapace or plastron bones, however, there can be ambiguity when identifying to spe...

Accurate monitoring of wildlife populations is critical for species management and conservation. If management practices are based on inaccurate data, managers might not be implementing management strategies appropriately, which can have severe ecological consequences. We used a generalized linear mixed-model analysis to predict and explain the rel...

The american alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has made a remarkable recovery throughout its range during the last half-century. this recovery is attributed to management practices that are based on sound research. however, little research has focused on nest characteristics, nest success, and production of hatchling alligators in texas. We qu...

Previous toxicological and immunology assays have strongly suggested that a neurotoxic component is present in the venom of the Tiger Rattlesnake, Crotalus tigris. However, there has been no direct identification of this neurotoxin. We obtained 18 blood samples from Arizona C. tigris and analyzed them by PCR and DNA sequencing using primers specifi...