Vipera latastei

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Vipera latastei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Vipera
Species: V. latastei
Binomial name
Vipera latastei
Bosca, 1878
Synonyms
  • Vipera latasti - Bosca, 1878
  • Vipera latastei - Bosca, 1879
  • Vipera berus aspis var. latastei - Camerano, 1889 (nomen illegitimum)
  • Vipera latastii - Boulenger, 1896
  • Vipera latasti - Mertens, 1925
  • Latastea latastei - Reuss, 1929
  • Rhinaspis latastei nigricaudata - Reuss, 1933
  • V[ipera]. ammodytes latastei - Schwarz, 1935
  • Vipera latastei latastei - Saint-Girons, 1953
  • Vipera (Rhinaspis) latastei latastei - Obst, 1983[1]

Common names: Lataste's viper, snub-nosed viper.[2]  
 
Vipera latastei is a venomous viper species found in extreme southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.[1] Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.[3]

Description

Grows to a maximum length of about 72 cm, but usually less.[2]

Geographic range

Found in extreme southwestern Europe (France, Portugal and Spain) and northwestern Africa (the Mediterranean region of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia). The type locality given is "Ciudad Real." Emended to "Valencia, Spanien" (Valencia, Spain) by Mertens and Müller (1928).[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Listed as such because it is probably in significant decline (but likely at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) due to widespread habitat loss and persecution throughout much of its range, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Further population reduction is expected, but is not likely to exceed 30% over the next 10 years, but localized extinctions in parts of its range are possible (e.g., Tunisia). Year assessed: 2005.[4][5]

It is also listed as a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.[6]

Subspecies

Species[3] Authority[3] Geographic range
V. l. gaditana Saint-Girons, 1977 Most of the Iberian peninsula south of the Pyrenees.[2]
V. l. latastei Bosca, 1878 Southern Spain and Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.[2][1]


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vipera latastei (TSN 634994) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 29 June 2007.
  4. Vipera latastei at IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
  5. 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
  6. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.