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We review the Atractus snethlageae species complex based on the examination of 330 specimens throughout its entire distribution, including its type series. We redefine A. snethlageae and recognize four new species previously assigned to it in the literature and natural history collections. Two of them are diagnosed through both phenotypic (meristic, morphometric, color pattern, and male genital structure) and molecular (phylogeny) evidence, while the other two are recognized on the basis of morphological characters only. We show that some Amazonian lowland species have more restricted ranges. The area covering the eastern portion of the state of Pará and western portion of the state of Maranhão in Brazil harbors restricted endemism for Atractus. This biogeographically important region is also the most threatened within Amazonia. Finally, we discuss the expected changes in the taxonomy of ground snakes with more robust hypotheses based on well‐sampled phylogenies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematics of Leptotyphlopidae is historically controversial mostly due to their conserved external morphology in comparison with other snakes. However, recent studies have stressed that anatomical data might be informative for clarifying the leptotyphlopid taxonomy and evolution. We erect a new genus to accommodate Leptotyphlops collaris based on evidence from osteology, hemipenial morphology, and molecular data. We also provide expanded data regarding the intraspecific variation based on additional specimens collected in field trips and literature data, performing detailed comparisons among the new genus and all other New World leptotyphlopids. The new genus is distinguished from other leptotyphlopids by its unique hemipenial morphology and its exclusive combination of osteological and external morphology characters, with molecular data also supporting the new generic arrangement. We also provide a comprehensive discussion of the hemipenial morphology for the subfamily Epictinae based on literature and novel data gathered herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]