Vipera monticola
| Vipera monticola | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Vipera |
| Species: | V. monticola |
| Binomial name | |
| Vipera monticola Saint-Girons, 1954 | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
- Common names: Atlas mountain viper.[2]
Vipera monticola is a venomous viper species endemic to Morocco.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
Description
The Atlas mountain viper (Vipera monticola) is a very small species with a maximum total length (body + tail) of less than 40 cm (16 in).[4] Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a total length of only 345 mm (13.6 in).[2]
Geographic range
It is found in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc...qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m " [Toubkal Massif, High Atlas Mountains, southwestern Morocco, between 8,200 and 12,800 ft].[1]
Conservation status
This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[5] Listed as such because its extent of occurrence is likely not much more than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.[6]
See also
- List of viperine species and subspecies
- Viperinae by common name
- Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
References
- 1 2 3 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- 1 2 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ↑ "Vipera monticola". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
- ↑ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ↑ Vipera monticola at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
Further reading
- Beerli P, Billing H, Schätti B. 1986. Taxonomisches Status von Vipera latasti monticola Saint Girons, 1953 (Serpentes, Viperidae). Salamandra 22: 101-104.
- Klemmer K. 1963. Liste der rezenten Giftschlangen: Elapidae, Hydropheidae, Viperidae und Crotalidae. Marburg: N.G. Elwert. 210 pp.
- Saint-Girons H. 1953. Une vipère naine: Vipera latastei montana. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 78: 24-28.
- Saint-Girons H. 1954. Note rectificative au sujet de Vipera latastei montana, n. subsp. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 78: 475. (Vipera latastei monticola, replacement name.)
External links
- Vipera monticola at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.