Cerrophidion barbouri

Cerrophidion barbouri
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genus: Cerrophidion
Species: C. barbouri
Binomial name
Cerrophidion barbouri
(Dunn, 1919)
Synonyms
  • Lachesis barbouri - Dunn, 1919
  • Bothrops barbouri - Amaral, 1930
  • Agkistrodon browni - Shreve, 1938
  • Trimeresurus barbouri - H.M. Smith, 1941
  • Porthidium barbouri - Campbell, 1988
  • Cerrophidion barbouri - Campbell & Lamar, 1992[1]
Common names: Barbour's montane pitviper.[2], Barbour's pit viper.[3]

Cerrophidion barbouri is a venomous pitviper species found in Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]

Contents

Description

Adults generally grow to 30-40 cm in length, with a maximum of 51.0 cm. Terrestrial and moderately stout.[2]

The color pattern consists of a blackish ground color overlaid with a vague dorsal zig-zag stripe that extends down the flanks, which makes it look like a series of triangular markings. The skin between the scales is rust-colored, as are the sides of the head.[3]

Geographic range

Found in the highlands of the Sierra Madre del Sur in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. The type locality given is "Omilteme [or Omiltemi], Guerrero, Mexico."[1]

Habitat

Mountain areas at some 9,000 feet (2.74 km) elevation in rocky pine forests and clearings with bunch grass.[3]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii) (v3.1, 2001).[5] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that the geographic range, in the form of extent of occurrence, is estimated to be less than 5000 km², estimates indicate the population is severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations, and a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2007.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b 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 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  3. ^ a b c Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  4. ^ "Cerrophidion barbouri". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=585772. Retrieved 14 September 2007. 
  5. ^ Cerrophidion barbouri at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 14 September 2007.
  6. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 14 September 2007.

External links