Myriopholis Onomastic: Annotated Etymology and Taxonomy of the Genus Myriopholis

Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 1 ONOMASTIC OF SNAKE SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAMES Snake species in the genus Myriopholis Masud Salimian Morgan State university Overview Myriopholis is a genus of slender, fossorial snakes in the family Leptotyphlopidae, commonly referred to as threadsnakes or worm snakes. These minute serpents are among the smallest in the world, often resembling strands of spaghetti in both size and shape. The genus was erected by Hedges, Adalsteinsson, and Branch in 2009, consolidating species formerly placed in Leptotyphlops and Ramphostoma. Members of Myriopholis are characterized by their cylindrical bodies, reduced eyes, and cryptic habits. With approximately 25–27 recognized species, they are distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia. Their secretive nature and subterranean lifestyle make them one of the least studied snake genera globally. Natural History Species of Myriopholis are highly specialized for a subterranean existence, spending nearly their entire lives burrowing through loose soil, leaf litter, or termite mounds. Their diet consists primarily of ant and termite larvae, which they locate using chemosensory cues. These snakes are rarely encountered except after heavy rains, which force them to the surface. Their behavior is largely nocturnal and secretive, with limited surface activity. Due to their small size and cryptic habits, much of their ecology remains poorly understood. Nonetheless, they play a vital role in soil ecosystems by regulating insect populations and contributing to nutrient cycling. Distribution & Natural Habitat Myriopholis species are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of southwestern Asia, including Afghanistan and India. Their habitats range from arid deserts and savannas to tropical forests and agricultural lands. They prefer loose, friable soils that facilitate burrowing, and are often found near termite colonies or under decaying vegetation. Some species exhibit localized endemism, while others have broad ranges spanning multiple countries. Their adaptability to different soil types and climates underscores their ecological resilience, although habitat disturbance and soil compaction may pose threats to certain populations. Reproduction & Sexual Dimorphism Reproductive data for Myriopholis is sparse, but available observations suggest oviparity with small clutch sizes, typically 1–3 eggs. Mating behavior is undocumented, though seasonal reproduction is suspected in regions with pronounced wet-dry cycles. Sexual dimorphism is subtle and primarily expressed in body proportions: females tend to be slightly longer and more robust, while males may exhibit proportionally longer tails. Hemipenial morphology, where known, supports species-level differentiation. Due to their cryptic nature and limited specimen availability, reproductive biology remains one of the least understood aspects of Myriopholis natural history. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 2 Dentition & Hemipenial Morphology Members of Myriopholis exhibit highly reduced dentition, consistent with their specialized diet of soft-bodied invertebrates. Teeth are vestigial or absent in the maxilla, with small, recurved teeth present in the mandibles. The skull is compact and adapted for burrowing, with a reinforced rostrum and fused elements. Hemipenial morphology is poorly documented but presumed to be simple and unornamented, reflecting the basal position of Leptotyphlopidae within Serpentes. Where studied, hemipenes are short, unilobed, and lack elaborate ornamentation, consistent with fossorial habits and minimal courtship behavior. Further anatomical studies are needed to clarify interspecific variation. Scalation Scalation in Myriopholis is highly conserved and diagnostic at the species level. The body is encircled by numerous smooth, glossy scales arranged in 14 or more rows, giving a thread-like appearance. The head is blunt with fused rostral and nasal scales, and the eyes are vestigial, visible only as dark spots beneath the scales. The tail is short and ends in a conical or rounded tip, sometimes with a terminal spine. Scale counts, especially midbody and subcaudal rows, are critical for species identification. Variation in scale texture and arrangement may reflect microhabitat adaptation. Venom Myriopholis species are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. Like other leptotyphlopids, they lack venom glands and specialized fangs. Their feeding strategy relies on engulfing small, soft-bodied prey whole, without the need for envenomation. Despite their harmless nature, their role in pest control is ecologically significant. Misidentification with juvenile venomous snakes is rare but possible due to superficial resemblance. Public awareness and education can help reduce unnecessary persecution. Their non-venomous status also makes them suitable for educational outreach in regions where snake fear is prevalent. Historical Notes The taxonomic history of Myriopholis reflects broader revisions within Leptotyphlopidae. Originally described under Stenostoma and later placed in Leptotyphlops, the genus was redefined in 2009 based on molecular and morphological data. The name Myriopholis derives from Greek myrios (“many”) and pholis (“scale”), referencing their dense scalation. Type species Stenostoma longicaudum was described by Peters in 1854. Several species have undergone reclassification, and synonymy remains a challenge due to limited material and overlapping characters. Continued fieldwork and molecular studies are essential for resolving species boundaries and clarifying evolutionary relationships. Genus Myriopholis HEDGES, ADALSTEINSSON & BRANCH, 2009 The genus name is feminine and derived from the Greek adjective myrios (μύριος) meaning "many," or "countless," and Greek noun pholis (φολίς) meaning "scale." It refers to the high number of middorsal and subcaudal scales typical of species in this genus. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 3 S. Blair Hedges, Solny Adalsteinsson, William R. Branch Species Myriopholis adleri (HAHN & WALLACH, 1998) The species epithet adleri is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors renowned American herpetologist Kraig Adler. Remarks: Kraig Adler (born December 6, 1940) is a renowned American herpetologist and professor emeritus at Cornell University, celebrated for his extensive contributions to the study of amphibians and reptiles. He played a pivotal role in shaping modern herpetology through his leadership in organizations such as the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), where he served as president, and as founding Secretary-General of the World Congress of Herpetology. Adler is the editor of landmark works including the multi-volume "Biology of the Reptilia" and "Contributions to the History of Herpetology." His research spans behavior, systematics, and conservation, and he remains a key figure in herpetological scholarship. Myriopholis albiventer (HALLERMANN & RÖDEL, 1995) The specific epithet albiventer is a morphology-based descriptor. It is compound Latin adjective formed from albus ("white") and Latin noun venter ("belly"). Thus, albiventer means "having a white belly," or "white-bellied." Grammatically, it is an indeclinable compound adjective which means, it always stays as albiventer regardless of the gender of genus it modifies. While it is composed in part from a third-declension noun (venter), the resulting word follows a different grammatical rule which make albiventer indeclinable instead of a third declension. It refers to the pale ventrum of the species. Grammar Notes: Wiktionary page for albiventer calls it a third declension noun. It does not have adjective form for the compound word. Its entry for albiventer is simplified and potentially misleading in the context of biological nomenclature. In scientific naming, the grammatical function of a compound term like albiventer is more specific than a simple noun, despite the entry listing it as such. The entry correctly states that albiventer is an "alternative form" of albiventris, which it classifies as a third-declension noun. This is a grammatically plausible, but not the only, way to interpret the word. Wiktionary's Latin entries often focus on the most common or original grammatical form of a word. However, in scientific nomenclature, the rules for compounding and applying epithets to genera have specific conventions that affect a word's Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 4 function. In the species name Myriopholis albiventer, the term albiventer functions as a compound adjective that describes the genus Myriopholis. The word is constructed from the adjective albus ("white") and the noun venter ("belly"). In this combination, the word acts as a descriptive adjective meaning "white-bellied." It does not function as a standalone noun like "belly." It modifies the generic name Myriopholis. Unlike a standard Latin adjective, this type of compound adjective is often treated as indeclinable (not changing its ending) in scientific nomenclature, though some variations, like albiventris, do exist. So, for the specific context of zoological nomenclature: while albiventris would be the standard, declinable third-declension adjective form in classical Latin, albiventer is the accepted, indeclinable specific epithet for this species. Myriopholis algeriensis (JACQUET, 1896) The species epithet algeriensis is a geography-based toponymic descriptor of a broader region than the specific type locality. It is a Latin adjective derived from Algeria and the adjectival suffix -ensis, meaning "of," or "pertaining to," yielding "of Algeria." The name refers broadly to distribution of the species in Algeria as the species' provenance, rather than to a precise locality of "Hammam Salahin, 6 km au nord de Biskra, Algeria." Remarks: Algeria is a vast and ecologically varied country where natural history and cultural heritage intertwine across desert, mountain, and coastal landscapes. Stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the heart of the Sahara, Algeria encompasses ecosystems ranging from cork oak forests and coastal wetlands to arid dunes and rocky plateaus. The Tell Atlas and Saharan Atlas Mountain ranges create altitudinal gradients that support endemic flora and fauna, including species such as the Barbary macaque, Cuvier’s gazelle, and a rich diversity of reptiles and amphibians. Algeria’s natural history is deeply rooted in its prehistoric past, with Paleolithic sites and rock art in the Tassili n’Ajjer revealing early human interaction with wildlife and climate. Roman agricultural terraces, Berber pastoral traditions, and centuries of trans-Saharan trade have all shaped the country’s ecological footprint. Today, Algeria’s protected areas and biodiversity reserves reflect efforts to conserve its unique environmental legacy amid a backdrop of ancient continuity. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 5 Myriopholis algeriensis, Gambia Blind Snake - Asrir, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Morocco - Gert Jan Verspui https://www.inaturalist.org/people/gjverspui Creative Commons License Myriopholis blanfordii (BOULENGER, 1890) The specific epithet blanfordii is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -ii indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors prominent English geologist and naturalist William Thomas Blanford. Remarks: William Thomas Blanford (1832–1905) was a prominent English geologist and naturalist best known for his foundational role in documenting the fauna and geology of British India. Born in London on October 7, 1832, Blanford studied at the Royal School of Mines and the mining academy in Freiberg, Saxony, before joining the Geological Survey of India in 1855. Over the next three decades, he conducted extensive fieldwork across the Indian subcontinent, contributing to geological mapping and biogeographic studies. He edited and authored volumes in the influential series The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma, covering mammals, birds, and mollusks. Blanford was elected Fellow of the Royal Society and awarded the Wollaston Medal (1883) and Royal Medal (1901) for his scientific achievements. He retired in 1882 but continued publishing until his death in London on June 23, 1905. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 6 Myriopholis blanfordii, Sindh Thread Snake - Western India - Vivek Sharma https://www.facebook.com/vivek1007 Posted with permission Myriopholis boueti (CHABANAUD, 1917) The specific epithet boueti is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors French colonial physician and ornithologist Dr. Georges Bouet. Remarks: Dr. Georges Bouet (1869–1957) was a French colonial physician, ornithologist, and parasitologist whose career spanned key regions of the French overseas empire. Born on October 18, 1869, in Cholet, France, Bouet trained at the École du Service de Santé de la Marine in Bordeaux and entered colonial service in 1893. He conducted medical and zoological work in Madagascar (1900–1904) and later in French West Africa (1906–1930), where he became a leading figure in tropical medicine and avian studies. Bouet was a founding member of the Académie des Sciences Coloniales and vice-president of the Comité d'études historiques et scientifiques de l'Afrique Occidentale Française. His ornithological collections and publications contributed significantly to the understanding of West African birdlife. Myriopholis braccianii (SCORTECCI, 1929) The specific epithet braccianii is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 7 individual. It honors Italian explorer Luigi Bracciani, a member of the Corni-Calciati-Bracciani expedition to Eritrea where he collected the holotype. Remarks: Luigi Bracciani was an Italian explorer and co-author who participated in the Corni– Calciati–Bracciani scientific expedition to Eritrea from 1922 to 1923. While biographical details about Bracciani remain scarce, his contributions are documented in the 1927 publication Nel Paese dei Cunama: Missione Corni-Calciati-Bracciani in Eritrea, 1922–1923, co-authored with Cesare Calciati. This richly illustrated volume, published by Società Editrice "Unitas" in Milan, offers a detailed ethnographic and geographic account of the Kunama people and the Agordat region. Bracciani’s role appears to have been both logistical and scientific, contributing to field documentation, photography, and cultural observations. The expedition was notable for its anthropological scope and remains a valuable historical source on Eritrean ethnography Myriopholis burii (BOULENGER, 1905) The specific epithet burii is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors British naturalist George W. Bury who also collected the type specimens. Remarks: George Wyman Bury (1874–1920) was a British naturalist, explorer, and intelligence officer whose work in the Arabian Peninsula contributed significantly to early zoological and ethnographic knowledge of the region. Born in Manchester, England, Bury served in various colonial and diplomatic roles, including as a political officer in Aden and later in the Hejaz. He was a skilled linguist and field collector, known for his deep engagement with Arab culture and geography. His biological specimens, including the type of Myriopholis burii (originally described by Boulenger in 1905 as Glauconia burii), were collected during expeditions in South Arabia. Bury authored Arabia Infelix (1915), a vivid account of his travels and observations. He died in Cairo in 1920 while serving in a diplomatic capacity. Myriopholis cairi (DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1844) The species epithet cairi is a geography-based toponymic descriptor of a broader region than the specific type locality. It is a Latin adjective derived from Cairo and the adjectival suffix after the city of Cairo. The name refers broadly to distribution of the species in Cairo, Egypt as the species' provenance “Le Caire, Egypte”, rather than to a precise locality the type specimen was collected from. Remarks: Cairo is a city of layered natural and cultural history, rising from the banks of the Nile as a crossroads of civilizations. Its location at the delta’s apex has long made it a fertile center of agriculture, biodiversity, and human settlement. The surrounding Nile Valley supports a range of flora and fauna adapted to riparian and desert-edge ecosystems, while migratory birds trace ancient flyways through its skies. Founded in 969 CE by the Fatimids, Cairo absorbed influences from Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Islamic, and Ottoman traditions, becoming a hub of scholarship, architecture, and trade. Its historic gardens, such as al-Azhar Park, and proximity to the Giza Plateau reflect a continuity between ecological space and cultural expression. Today, Cairo’s urban sprawl coexists with pockets of biodiversity and centuries-old institutions that preserve its environmental and intellectual legacy. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 8 Myriopholis cairi, Cairo Blind Snake - Fayoum, Egypt - seigneuretvassaldesprats https://www.inaturalist.org/people/seigneuretvassaldesprats Creative Commons License Myriopholis erythraeus (SCORTECCI, 1929) The species epithet erythraeus is a geography-based toponymic descriptor of a broader region than the specific type locality. It is a Latin adjective derived from Eritrea and the adjectival suffix after the city of Cairo. The name refers broadly to distribution of the species in Eritrea as the species' provenance rather than to a precise locality the type specimen was collected from “Massaua [=Massawa], Eritrea.” Remarks: Eritrea is a land of striking ecological and historical depth, shaped by its Red Sea coastline, highland plateaus, and desert lowlands. Its varied topography supports a mosaic of habitats, from coastal mangroves and coral reefs to montane forests and arid plains, home to species such as the Nubian ibex, Soemmerring’s gazelle, and endemic reptiles and birds. Eritrea’s natural corridors have long connected Africa and Arabia, reflected in its role within the ancient Aksumite Kingdom (c. 100–940 CE), a major center of trade, agriculture, and early Christianity. The region’s biodiversity and cultural landscapes have been shaped by millennia of human settlement, pastoralism, and maritime exchange. Italian colonization in the late 19th century introduced new infrastructure and scientific exploration, including zoological expeditions, while traditional ecological knowledge persisted in rural communities. Today, Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 9 Eritrea’s natural heritage remains a vital part of its national identity and a window into the Horn of Africa’s deep environmental past. Myriopholis filiformis (BOULENGER, 1899) The specific epithet filiformis is a morphology-based descriptor of resemblance. It is Classical Latin adjective fīlifōrmis ("threadlike,") itself derived from the second declension noun fīlum (genitive: fīlī) meaning "thread," or "string," and the noun fōrmīs which is the dative/ablative plural of feminine noun fōrma ("form," "figure," "shape," or "appearance.") Grammatically, it is a third-declension two-termination adjective and used almost exclusively as a taxonomic epithet and thus not normally in inflected forms other than the nominative singular. It is a reference to the extremely slender form of the species resembling a thread. Publication Quote: "... and the extremely slender form ..." Myriopholis ionidesi (BROADLEY & WALLACH, 2007) The specific epithet ionidesi is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors Named to commemorate Constantine J. P. Ionides, who collected the holotype and series of many other fossorial reptiles in Tanzania. Remarks: Constantine John Philip Ionides (1901–1968) was a British naturalist, military officer, and game warden whose legacy in East African herpetology and wildlife conservation is both notable and contentious. Born in Zanzibar and educated in England, Ionides served in the British Army before becoming a game warden in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), where he gained fame as the “Snake Man of Africa” for his prolific collection of reptiles, especially venomous species. He contributed thousands of specimens to museums and collaborated with taxonomists like Arthur Loveridge. Despite his scientific accomplishments, Ionides’ role as a colonial officer and his attitudes toward African communities have drawn criticism. His writings and actions reflected paternalistic and, at times, dismissive views of local peoples, consistent with broader colonial-era norms. While he respected certain aspects of indigenous knowledge, his legacy is inseparable from the power dynamics and racial hierarchies of British colonial administration. Today, his life is studied both for its zoological impact and as a lens into the complexities of colonial science. Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 16 Remarks: Rolande Roux-Estève (1921–2009) was a French herpetologist and taxonomist whose work significantly advanced the study of African reptiles, particularly in the Sahel and West Africa. Affiliated with the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, she specialized in the systematics of snakes and lizards, contributing detailed morphological analyses and species descriptions. Roux-Estève collaborated with field collectors and institutions across Francophone Africa, and her publications in the mid-20th century helped clarify the taxonomy of several elusive genera. Her legacy includes taxa named in her honor and a reputation for meticulous scholarship in a field that, at the time, had few women in leading scientific roles. Myriopholis rouxestevae, Roux-Estève’s Worm Snake - Kedougou, Senegal - Wolfgang Wüster https://www.inaturalist.org/people/wolfgang_wuster Posted with Permission Myriopholis tanae (BROADLEY & WALLACH, 2007) The species epithet tanae is a geography-based toponymic descriptor of a broader region than the specific type locality. It is a Latin adjective derived from Tana (River) and the adjectival suffix after the city of Cairo. The name refers broadly to distribution of the species in Tana River as the species' provenance rather than to a precise locality the type specimen was collected from "village of Ngatana ca. one mile northwest from new village of Wema, in the lower Tana River, Coast Region, Kenya." Remarks: The Tana River, Kenya’s longest river, carves a vital ecological and cultural corridor through the Coast Region as it winds from the Central Highlands to the Indian Ocean. Its lower basin supports a mosaic of habitats—from seasonally flooded grasslands and riparian forests to the Tana Delta’s rich wetlands—harboring endemic reptiles, birds, and aquatic life. This Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 17 dynamic landscape has long sustained the pastoralist Orma and agricultural Pokomo communities, whose livelihoods and traditions are deeply entwined with the river’s seasonal rhythms. The Tana Delta, a Ramsar site, is a biodiversity hotspot of global importance, yet remains vulnerable to hydrological disruption and land-use pressures. For herpetologists and biogeographers, the Tana River marks a transitional zone between coastal and inland faunal assemblages, offering key insights into species distribution, endemism, and ecological resilience in East Africa. Myriopholis wilsoni (HAHN, 1978) The specific epithet wilsoni is an eponymous descriptor. It is a patronymic epithet, a proper name Latinized and put into the genitive case. The ending -i indicates that it honors a male individual. It honors American herpetologist Dr. Larry David Wilson. Remarks: Larry David Wilson (1940–2024) was a prolific American herpetologist whose work profoundly shaped the understanding and conservation of Mesoamerican reptiles and amphibians. Born on April 10, 1940, Wilson earned his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University and went on to describe dozens of new species, authoring nearly 500 scientific publications over his career. He was affiliated with institutions such as Miami-Dade Community College and later the Instituto Regional de Biodiversidad (IRBio) in Honduras, where he mentored students and advanced regional biodiversity research. His fieldwork spanned Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and he was instrumental in cataloging the herpetofauna of areas like Oaxaca and Chiapas. Wilson passed away on April 28, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of taxonomic rigor, conservation advocacy, and educational mentorship. Myriopholis yemenica (SCORTECCI, 1933) The species epithet yemenica is a geography-based toponymic descriptor of a broader region than the specific type locality. It is a Classical Latin adjective yemenicā, the singular feminine form of yemenicus ("of Yemen"). It is a first/second-declension three-termination adjective. It is used almost exclusively as a taxonomic epithet and thus not normally in inflected forms other than the nominative singular. It is formed from the place name Yemen and the adjectival suffix - ica, meaning "from" or "of"—thus, "from Yemen". It refers to the distribution of the species in Yemen. No specific location was identified other than the country of Yemen. Remarks: Yemen is a biologically rich and ecologically diverse country shaped by its dramatic topography and ancient natural history. Located at the crossroads of the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental biogeographic realms, Yemen hosts ecosystems ranging from coastal mangroves and coral reefs to mist-shrouded highlands and vast deserts. The country's altitudinal variation— from sea level to over 3,600 meters in the Haraz Mountains—creates microclimates that support endemic flora and fauna, including rare species like the Arabian leopard, Yemeni gazelle, and Socotra chameleon. Yemen’s natural history is deeply intertwined with its role as a staging ground for migratory birds and its ancient agricultural traditions, such as the cultivation of Coffea arabica in terraced highland farms. The island of Socotra, often called the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” is especially renowned for its unique biodiversity, with over a third of its plant species found nowhere else on Earth * Selected Sources: Onomastic of Myriopholis - Page | 18 1. Adalsteinsson, S.A.; Branch, W.R.; Trapé, S.; Vitt, L.J. & Hedges, S.B. 2009. Molecular phylogeny, classification, and biogeography of snakes of the Family Leptotyphlopidae (Reptilia, Squamata). Zootaxa 2244: 1-50. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2244.1.1 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236513913 2. Pyron, R. A., Burbrink, F. T., & Wiens, J. J. (2013). A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 13, 93. https://bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2148-13-93 3. Figueroa, A., McKelvy, A. D., Grismer, L. L., Bell, C. D., & Lailvaux, S. P. (2016). A species-level phylogeny of extant snakes with description of a new colubrid subfamily and genus. PLOS ONE, 11(9), e0161070. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161070 4. Vidal, N., & Hedges, S. B. (2009). The molecular evolutionary tree of snakes: A review based on five genes and 421 taxa. Zootaxa, 2235(1), 1–10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24196810 5. Uetz, P., Freed, P, Aguilar, R., Reyes, F., Kudera, J. & Hošek, J. (eds.) (2025) The Reptile Database, http://www.reptile-database.org, accessed [November 2025] Acknowledgement In preparing this document, original publications (when available online) were consulted for detailed information on each species; the Reptile Database was used for lists of valid species and type localities; Wikipedia was referenced for historical data; and Wiktionary for Latin grammar and epithet formation. AI Tools Consulted: Generative AI tools were leveraged to assist with etymological and historical research. Specifically, both MS Copilot and Google's Gemini were consulted. MS Copilot provided the overall review of the genus and additional details on references, honorees bios and geographical references. Google's Gemini was used for verifying some of the etymologies I had developed for accuracy. All AI generated materials were reviewed and edited and full responsibility for the accuracy and content of the manuscript remains with the author. Online Versions: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/etymologyofsnakes/posts/818203310991323/ Author’s website https://salimian.webersedu.com/SNAKES/PDF/Salimian_Myriopholis_Onomastic.pdf