Bothrops alcatraz

Bothrops alcatraz
Conservation status

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species: B. alcatraz
Binomial name
Bothrops alcatraz
Marques, Martins & Sazima, 2002
Synonyms
  • Lachesis lanceolatus - Luederwaldt & Fonseca, 1923
  • Bothrops alcatraz - Marques, Martins & Sazima, 2002[1]
Common names: Alcatrazes lancehead.[1]

Bothrops alcatraz is a venomous pitviper species found only on an island off the coast of southeastern Brazil. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Grows to a maximum size of 46.2/50.5 cm for males/females. Its small size and relatively large eyes are considered paedomorphic (juvenile) characteristics.[1]

Geographic range

Found only on Ilha Alcatrazes, 35 km off the coast of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. This island, which has a total area of only 1.35 km², is one of four islands than make up the Alcatrazes Archipelago. The type locality given is therefore the same: "Alcatrazes Island, (24°06'S, 45°42'W), São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil."[1]

Habitat

Described as "low Atlantic Forest vegetation." The highest point on island is 266 m.[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as critical (CRU) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) (v3.1 (2001).[2] This means that the geographic range is estimated to be less than 100 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected for the area, extent and/or quality of the habitat. Furthermore, the area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat. Year assessed: 2004.[3]

See also

Cited references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  2. ↑ Bothrops alcatraz at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
  3. ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

External links