Notes on the type series of the Javan Spitting Cobra, Naja sputatrix Boie, 1827, and designation of a lectotype for Naja tripudians sondaica Schlegel, 1844

We discuss how specimens of the Javan Spitting Cobra (Naja sputatrix) were collected by Caspar Reinwardt in 1819 or 1820 and first described by Heinrich Boie in an unpublished manuscript entitled Erpétologie de Java. The species finally attained nomenclatural validity in a publication by Heinrich’s brother Friedrich Boie in 1827. Based on the information presented by F. Boie, we located and examined all specimens in the Naturalis collection (Leiden) that could be part of the N. sputatrix type series and found that none conformed to the description of F. Boie’s types.

We also checked collection data of other European museums (Paris, London, Berlin), but could not identify any specimen from the original type series. We conclude that there is currently no name-bearing type to underpin the binomen N. sputatrix and that a neotype would need to be proposed should the taxonomic necessity arise. We also determined that, by his mention of the binomen Coluber castaneus in his discussion of these snakes, F. Boie coined a nomen nudum.

During our specimen and literature work, we were also able to ascertain that Elaps fuscus Merrem, 1820 is a senior synonym of Naja sputatrix Boie, 1827, but a nomen oblitum. Lastly, in order to stabilize the nomenclature of Asian spitting cobras, we designate a specimen collected by Reinwardt on Java (RMNH.RENA.1330) as the lectotype for Naja tripudians sondaica Schlegel, 1844.