Draeculacephala floridana

A very distinct species, it is the only member of this genus with the entire head inflated and nose upturned. Unlike any other Draeculacephala , the markings on the head are speckled. The face is pale green to yellow with black or fuscous muscle scars-in some respects it is similar in appearance to the genus Xypon , especially X. gillettei . This is the type species of Carneocephala Ball (here regarded as a junior synonym of Draeculacephala ). My cladistic analyses support Hamilton's (1985) placement of floridana in Draeculacephala , although the species is morphologically intermediate between this genus and Xyphon Hamilton (erected to receive the species formerly included in Carneocephala ). - Dietrich, 1994 Dietrich states that the genus Draeculacephala likely evolved from Xyphon in the neotropics or southwestern U.S., citing floridana as an example of a transitional species. He also states that evidence supporting the monophyly of Xyphon is weak.