Vipera seoanei
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| Vipera seoanei Lataste, 1879 |
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Common names: Baskian viper,[2] Iberian cross adder.[3]
Vipera seoanei is a venomous viper species found in extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal.[1] Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.[4]
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[edit] Description
Adults may grow to a length of 75 cm, but usually less.[2]
This is a highly polymorphic species for which four main color-pattern types have been described:[2]
A: well-developed, brown zigzig pattern down the back, very much like V. berus, set against a beige or light-gray ground color.
B: roughly twin-striped pattern, with the ground color expressed as two narrow, straight, dorsolateral longitudinal lines along the body. Resembles V. kaznakovi to some degree.
C: uniform brownish morph with no pattern.
D: fragmented zigzag pattern (see V. s. cantabrica).
[edit] Geographic range
Extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. The type locality is given as "In montibus Gallaecorum et Cantabrorum ... d'Espagne" (the mountains of Galicia and Cantabrici, Spain). Mertens and Müller (1928) suggested a restricting the type locality to "Cabañas, Prov. Caruña, Spanien" (according to Golay et al. (1993), this is Cabañas, near Ferrol, Caruña Province, northwestern Spain).[1]
[edit] Conservation status
This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[5] It was given this status due to its relatively wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Year assessed: 2005. [6]
It is, however, listed as a protected species (Appendix III) under the Berne Convention.[7]
[edit] Subspecies
| Species[4] | Authority[4] | Geographic range[2] |
|---|---|---|
| V. s. cantabrica | Brana & Bas, 1983 | The Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. |
| V. s. seoanei | Lataste, 1879 | Extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. |
[edit] See also
[edit] Cited references
- ^ 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).
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ Steward JW. 1971. The Snakes of Europe. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). 238 pp. LCCCN 77-163307. ISBN 0-8386-1023-4.
- ^ a b c Vipera seoanei (TSN 635001). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 19 August 2006.
- ^ Vipera seoanei at IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
- ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
- ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix III at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.
[edit] Other references
- Golay P, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, McCarthy. Golray P, Schatti J-C, Toriba M. 1993. Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World: A Checklist. New York: Springer-Verlag. 393 pp.
- Mertens R, Müller L. 1928. Liste der amphibien und reptilen Europes. Abh Senckenb Naturf Ges 45:1-62.
[edit] Gallery
 V. s. seoanei, pattern A. |
 V. s. seoanei, pattern B. |
 V. s. seoanei, pattern C. |
[edit] External links
- Species Vipera seoanei at the Species2000 Database.
- Seoane's viper, Vipera seoanei at Reptiles & Amphibians of France. Accessed 30 October 2006.
