Biology:Moorish viper
| Moorish viper | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Daboia |
| Species: | D. mauritanica
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| Binomial name | |
| Daboia mauritanica (A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1848)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The Moorish viper (Daboia mauritanica or Macrovipera mauritanica; common names: Moorish viper,[2] Sahara rock viper,[3] Atlas blunt-nosed viper,[4] more) is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to northwestern Africa. No subspecies are recognized as being valid.[5]
Description
Daboia mauritanica reaches a maximum total length (tail included) of 1.8 m (5.9 ft).[2][6]
Common names
Common names for Daboia mauritanica include Moorish viper,[2] Sahara rock viper,[3] Atlas blunt-nosed viper,[4] Atlas adder,[7] and mountain adder.[3]
Geographic distribution
Daboia mauritanica is found in northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The type locality is "Algiers", according to Gray (1842), "Algeria" according to Schwarz (1936).[1] It is limited to the coastal regions of Algeria. Coastal records from Tunisia may refer to Macrovipera deserti.[6]
Conservation status
Daboia mauritanica is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[8] Classified as such because this species is likely in significant decline (but at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) due to persecution, accidental mortality and over-harvesting, therefore making it close to qualifying for Vulnerable. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2005.[9]
Taxonomy
Based on molecular evidence, Lenk et al. (2001)[10] suggested that this species, along with Macrovipera deserti, should rather be included in the genus Daboia.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 U.S. Navy (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: U.S. Government / Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ↑ "Macrovipera mauritanica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634978. Retrieved 9 August 2006.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Daboia mauritanica at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ↑ "Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 19 (1): 94–104. April 2001. doi:10.1006/mpev.2001.0912. PMID 11286494. Bibcode: 2001MolPE..19...94L.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Daboia mauritanica. |
- Daboia mauritanica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 August 2007.
- Video of Macrovipera mauritanica on YouTube. Accessed 9 September 2007.
Wikidata ☰ Q222401 entry
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