Re-evaluating first impressions: Melanism in Hemorrhois nummifer (Reuss, 1834) from Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

We conducted genetic and morphological investigations on a snake specimen initially identified as the venomous species Walterinnesia morgani (Mocquard, 1905) from the family Elapidae, primarily based on its dark colouration. However, subsequent genetic analysis revealed a clear affiliation with the family Colubridae, specifically Hemorrhois nummifer (Reuss, 1834), which shares a partially sympatric distribution with the previously mentioned species in Iraq. This discovery represents the first documented record of such a coloured specimen of H. nummifer in Iraq, raising additional questions regarding possible mimicry and the possibility of confusion in species identifications.