Macrovipera deserti

Macrovipera deserti
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Macrovipera
Species: M. deserti
Binomial name
Macrovipera deserti
(Anderson, 1892)
Synonyms
  • Vipera lebetina var. deserti Anderson, 1892
  • Vipera mauritanica deserti
    — Kramer & Schnurrenberger, 1959
  • Daboia (Daboia) lebetina deserti
    — Obst, 1983
  • Macrovipera deserti
    — Herrmann, Joger & Nilson, 1992[1]
  • Daboia deserti
    — Lenk et al., 2001[2]
Common names: desert viper,[3][4] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,[5] more.

Macrovipera deserti is a venomous viper species endemic to North Africa.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[6]

Description

It grows to a total length (body + tail) of 1.6 m (5.2 ft).[3] Others say 1.3 m (4.3 ft).[4]

Common names

Desert viper,[3][4] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,[5] desert adder,[7] Sahara adder, Sahara viper.[8]

Geographic range

It is found in North Africa in Libya, Tunisia, and possibly in Algeria.

The type locality given in the original description is "Duriat, South Tunisia".[1] Mallow et al. (2003) mention that it does occur in the southern foothills of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria.[4]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[9] It is classified as such because its extent of occurrence is probably not much greater than 20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi) and its population is likely declining due to over-harvesting and persecution, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2005.[10]

Habitat

Occurs in rocky, mountainous areas that are semiarid, but well-vegetated.[3]

Reproduction

This species lays eggs (oviparous).[3]

Venom

Little is known about its venom. Antivenoms meant for M. lebetina and Daboia russelii show the strongest cross-reactivity with this venom.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  5. 1 2 Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  6. ↑ "Macrovipera deserti". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  7. ↑ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
  8. ↑ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. United States Government. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
  9. ↑ Daboia deserti at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
  10. ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

Further reading

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