Vipera monticola

Vipera monticola
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Vipera
Species: V. monticola
Binomial name
Vipera monticola
Saint-Girons, 1954
Synonyms
  • Vipera latastei montana - Saint-Girons, 1953
  • Vipera latastei monticola - Saint-Girons, 1954
  • Vipera latasti monticola - Klemmer, 1963
  • Vipera monticola - Beerli, Billing & Schätti[1]
Common names: Atlas mountain viper.[2]

Vipera monticola is a venomous viper species endemic in Morocco.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

Contents

Description

A very small species with a maximum length of less than 40 cm.[4] Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a length of only 345 mm.[2]

Geographic range

High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc ... qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m" [Toubkal Massif, High Atlas Mountains, southwestern Morocco].[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[5] Listed as such because its extent of occurrence is likely not much more than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.[6]

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 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  3. ^ "Vipera monticola". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634996. Retrieved 18 August 2006. 
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Vipera monticola at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
  6. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

External links