RESULTS
We found seven different coloration patterns of the vermiculate dorsal
pattern of A. hoogmoedi , distributed throughout the species’
range. We observed different coloration patterns in the same locality,
but the predominant dorsal pattern in each population appears to be
geographically structured. Colors of the vermiculate dorsal pattern on
the dark background varied from yellow to orange-red, from white to
pink, and from bluish-green to green. The yellow color morph is found in
almost all populations with varying proportions (Figure 1). In Amapá,
yellow individuals are mostly found in the west margin of Amapari river
(populations A, C, and F; Figure 1) while bluish-green, green, and other
colors can be found in higher proportions east of the Amapari river and
(populations B, D, and E; Figure 1). Green and bluish-green are also
very common patterns found in Amapá, especially in Serra do Navio
region. The orange-red pattern is rare, being registered only in
Tumucumaque (population B; Figure 1) and Colônia da Água Branca
(population E; Figure 1). In Araguari river, white and pink are more
common patterns (populations G and H; Figure 1). Pink is also a common
pattern in Oriximiná, Pará state, with most individuals registered as
having this color. However, in Pará state and in Jari, Amapá there are
only a few individuals registered to capture all population variation
(populations J, K, M; Figure 1). We observed more than a single color at
a locality, with individuals exhibiting high variation in color and
pattern, especially in Amapá. Lescure (1981) defined three morphs forA. hoogmoedi in the Guianas, with varying colors of dorsal
pattern, but mostly based on the variation of the size of the sinuous
dorsolateral longitudinal bands. We found the same variation in
different populations of A. hoogmoedi in Brazil. Populations of
Amapá exhibit thin dorsolateral bands (Figure 2a-f) similar to the morph
“A” of Lescure (1981) from Attachi-Bacca, French Guiana. In Tapajós
river, south Amazonas river, individuals exhibited color bands very
variable in width with the predominance of color extending from the
ventral surface the snout being more colored than black (Figure 2i),
similar to the morph “B” of Lescure (1981) from Surinam. Specimens
from Oriximiná, Pará has bands on the back that are wider than the black
bands (Figure 2h and 2J) corresponding to the morph “C” of Lescure
(1981). The population in Amapá savannas may be considered a new morph
by having a predominantly yellow dorsal background with no dorsolateral
bands but scattered black dots and stains (Figure 2g). In particular,
the yellow pattern was the most widespread pattern and show a great
variation with respect to the predominance of yellow bands on the dark
background corresponding to the morphs previously defined (Lescure,
1981).