Moorish viper
| Moorish viper | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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 | |
| |
| 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 venomous viper species found in northwestern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
Description
[edit]Reaches a maximum length of 180 cm.[2][6]
Common names
[edit]Moorish viper,[2] Sahara rock viper,[3] Atlas blunt-nosed viper,[4] Atlas adder,[7] mountain adder.[3]
Geographic range
[edit]Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The type locality is "Algiers", according to Gray (1842), "Algeria" according to Schwarz (1936).[1] Limited to the coastal regions of Algeria. Coastal records from Tunisia may refer to M. deserti.[6]
Conservation status
[edit]
This species 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
[edit]Based on molecular evidence, Lenk et al. (2001)[10] suggested that this species, along with M. deserti, should rather be included in the genus Daboia.
References
[edit]- ^ 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).
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
- ^ a b 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. Retrieved 9 August 2006.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lenk P, Kalyabina S, Wink M, Joger U [in German] (April 2001). "Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 19 (1): 94–104. doi:10.1006/mpev.2001.0912. PMID 11286494.
External links
[edit]
- Daboia mauritanica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 August 2007.
- Video of Macrovipera mauritanica on YouTube. Accessed 9 September 2007.