A comprehensive morphological database of hognose Porthidium pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae)

TL;DR

This paper introduces a detailed database of morphological traits for hognose pitvipers, aiding research in evolution, ecology, and biodiversity.

Contribution

The paper provides a standardized, comprehensive morphological database for Porthidium pitvipers from multiple collections.

Findings

The database includes 13 morphological traits, 8 scale counts, and 55 landmarks from 484 individuals across 9 species.

Data were collected using standardized protocols to ensure comparability across specimens and species.

The dataset supports studies in systematics, evolution, and ecological adaptation.

Abstract

Generating and sharing primary biological data is essential to support reproducible research, stimulate new hypotheses, and advance our understanding of biodiversity. Here, we present a comprehensive database of morphological traits for snakes of the genus Porthidium (Viperidae: Crotalinae). This database includes linear measurements, pholidosis (scale counts), and head shape data from preserved specimens across five different herpetological collections. These data comprise 13 morphological traits, 8 scale counts, and 55 landmarks collected from 484 individuals across 9 species. The specimens represent both juvenile and adult stages. All data were collected using standardized protocols to ensure comparability across individuals and species. The dataset is a valuable resource for studies in systematics, morphological evolution, ecological adaptation, and ontogeny, as well as facilitating reproducibility and reuse in the fields of evolutionary biology, herpetology, and comparative morphology.

Figures