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Macrovipera deserti



Macrovipera deserti
Conservation status

Near Threatened (IUCN)
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]
Common names: desert viper,[2][3] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,[4] more.

Macrovipera deserti is a venomous viper species found in North Africa.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]

Contents

Description

Grows to a length of 1.6 m.[2] Others say 1.3 m.[3]

Common names

Desert viper,[2][3] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,[4] desert adder,[6] Sahara adder, Sahara viper.[7]

Geographic range

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.[3]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[8] Classified as such because its extent of occurrence is probably not much greater than 20,000 km² 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.[9]

Habitat

Occurs in rocky, mountainous areas that are semiarid, but well-vegetated.[2]

Reproduction

This species lays eggs (oviparous).[2]

Venom

Little is known. Antivenoms meant for M. lebetina and Daboia russelii show the strongest cross-reactivity with this venom.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ^ a b c d e Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  3. ^ a b c d e Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. ^ a b Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  5. ^ Macrovipera deserti (TSN 634952). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 6 August 2006.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
  8. ^ Daboia deserti at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
  9. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Macrovipera_deserti". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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