My watch list

Vipera aspis atra

Vipera aspis atra

Vulnerable (IUCN)

Scientific classification

Trinomial name

Vipera aspis atra
Meisner, 1820

Synonyms

Common names: black asp, black viper.^[2]

Vipera aspis atra is a venomous viper subspecies^[3] found in France, Switzerland and Italy.^[4]

Geographic range

Western Switzerland, northwestern Italy and southeastern France.^[4] Mallow et al. (2003) describes the range only as "portions of Switzerland."^[5]

This subspecies is classified as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).^[6]^[7]

A recent study by Ursenbacher et al. (2006) suggests that V. a. atra may not be a valid subspecies.^[6]

^ 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).
^ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
^ Vipera aspis atra (TSN 635251). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 15 August 2006.
^ ^a ^b Vipera aspis at the New Reptile Database
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b Vipera aspis at IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.