Macrovipera: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Jaap Winius
(rm bsd (viper))
imported>Jaap Winius
(Removed red links. Added cat. tag for Biology Workgroup. Replaced ITIS link.)
Line 2: Line 2:
| color = pink
| color = pink
| name = ''Macrovipera''
| name = ''Macrovipera''
| image = Macrovipera-lebetina-turanica-1.jpg
| regnum = Animalia
| image_caption = Blunt-nosed viper, ''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]''
| phylum = Chordata
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| subphylum = Vertebrata
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = Reptilia
| subphylum = [[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]
| ordo = Squamata
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| subordo = Serpentes
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| familia = Viperidae
| subordo = [[Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Viperidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| genus = '''''Macrovipera'''''
| genus = '''''Macrovipera'''''
| genus_authority = Reuss, [[1927]]
| genus_authority = Reuss, 1927
| synonyms = * ''Macrovipera'' - Reuss, 1927<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
| synonyms = * ''Macrovipera'' - Reuss, 1927<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
}}
}}


'''Common names:''' large [[Palearctic]] vipers.<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref>
'''Common names:''' large Palearctic vipers.<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref>
 
&nbsp;<br/>
 
&nbsp;<br/>
'''''Macrovipera''''' is a [[genus]] of [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]]s that inhabit the semideserts and steppes of [[North Africa]], the [[Near East|Near]] and [[Middle East]], and the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Aegean Sea]].<ref name="McD99"/> These snakes are responsible for a number of bites in Africa and western Asia every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of venom, which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.<ref name="Mal03">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.</ref> Four species are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS|ID=634425|taxon=Macrovipera|year=2006|date=5 August}}</ref>
'''''Macrovipera''''' is a genus of venomous [[Viperinae|viper]]s that inhabit the semideserts and steppes of North Africa, the Near and Middle East, and the Milos Archipelago in the Aegean Sea.<ref name="McD99"/> These snakes are responsible for a number of bites in Africa and western Asia every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of venom, which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.<ref name="Mal03">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.</ref> Four species are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634425 ''Macrovipera'' (TSN 634425)] at [http://www.itis.gov/index.html Integrated Taxonomic Information System]. Accessed 22 March 2007.</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Line 28: Line 26:


==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
[[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Tunis]] in [[North Africa]], east to [[Pakistan]], [[Kashmir]] and [[India]], north to the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Aegean Sea]] ([[Greece]]), [[Armenia]] and [[Dagestan]] ([[Russia]]). To the south, there is only one old record from [[Yemen]].<ref name="Mal03"/>
Morocco, Algeria and Tunis in North Africa, east to Pakistan, Kashmir and India, north to the Milos Archipelago (Greece) in the Aegean Sea, Armenia and Dagestan (Russia). To the south, there is only one old record from Yemen.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Line 34: Line 32:


==Reproduction==
==Reproduction==
All of these species lay eggs ([[oviparous]]).<ref name="Mal03"/>
All of these species lay eggs (oviparous).<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Species==
==Species==
Line 45: Line 43:
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera deserti|M. deserti]]''
|''[[Macrovipera deserti|M. deserti]]''
|([[J.A. Anderson|Anderson]], [[1892]])
|(Anderson, 1892)
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|0
|Desert viper
|Desert viper
|style="width:50%"|[[North Africa]]: [[Libya]], [[Tunisia]] and possibly [[Algeria]].
|style="width:50%"|North Africa: Libya, Tunisia and possibly Algeria.
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]''<font size="-1"><sup>T</sup></font>
|''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]''<font size="-1"><sup>T</sup></font>
|([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]])
|(Linnaeus, 1758)
|align="center"|4
|align="center"|4
|Blunt-nosed viper
|Blunt-nosed viper
|[[Dagestan]], Algeria, Tunisia, [[Cyprus]], [[Turkey]], [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Caucasus|Russian Caucasia]], [[Armenia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kazakhistan]], [[Tadzikhistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Kashmir]].
|Dagestan, Algeria, Tunisia, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Russian Caucasia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhistan, Tadzikhistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir.
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera mauritanica|M. mauritanica]]''
|''[[Macrovipera mauritanica|M. mauritanica]]''
|([[André Marie Constant Duméril|Duméril]] & [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]], [[1848]])
|(Duméril & Bibron, 1848)
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|0
|Moorish viper
|Moorish viper
|Northwestern [[Africa]]: [[Morocco]], Algeria and Tunisia.
|Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera schweizeri|M. schweizeri]]''
|''[[Macrovipera schweizeri|M. schweizeri]]''
|([[F. Werner|Werner]], [[1935]])
|(Werner, 1935)
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|0
|Milos viper
|Milos viper
|The [[Greece|Grecian]] islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the [[Aegean Sea]]: [[Milos]] and the three smaller, adjacent islands of [[Siphnos]], [[Kimolos]] and Polinos.
|The Grecian islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean Sea: Milos and the three smaller, adjacent islands of Siphnos, Kimolos and Polinos.
|-
|-
|}
|}
''*) Not including the nominate subspecies (typical form).''<br>
''*) Not including the nominate subspecies (typical form).''<br>
<font size="-1"><sup>T</sup></font>) [[Type species]].
<font size="-1"><sup>T</sup></font>) Type species.


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The genus ''Macrovipera'' was created by Reuss (1927), specifically to accommodate ''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]'' (the type species). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as subspecies of ''M. lebetina''. It is now likely that certain subspecies of ''M. lebetina'' will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.<ref name="Mal03"/> Regarding the geographic range of ''M. lebetina'', it is possible that this species is now extinct in Israel.<ref name="EMBL">{{EMBL species|genus=Macrovipera|species=lebetina}}</ref>
The genus ''Macrovipera'' was created by Reuss (1927), specifically to accommodate ''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]'' (the type species). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as subspecies of ''M. lebetina''. It is now likely that certain subspecies of ''M. lebetina'' will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 88: Line 86:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{EMBL genus|genus=Macrovipera}}
* [http://www.herpbreeder.com/worldspecies/Snakes/vipers/macrovipera.htm ''Macrovipera''] at [http://www.herpbreeder.com/ Herpbreeder.com]. Accessed 26 September 2006.
* [http://www.herpbreeder.com/worldspecies/Snakes/vipers/macrovipera.htm ''Macrovipera''] at [http://www.herpbreeder.com/ Herpbreeder.com]. Accessed [[26 September]] [[2006]].


[[Category:True vipers]]
[[Category:True vipers]]
[[Category:Biology Workgroup]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]

Revision as of 06:30, 22 March 2007

Macrovipera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Macrovipera
Reuss, 1927
Synonyms
  • Macrovipera - Reuss, 1927[1]

Common names: large Palearctic vipers.[2]  
 
Macrovipera is a genus of venomous vipers that inhabit the semideserts and steppes of North Africa, the Near and Middle East, and the Milos Archipelago in the Aegean Sea.[1] These snakes are responsible for a number of bites in Africa and western Asia every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of venom, which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.[3] Four species are currently recognized.[4]

Description

Except for M. schweizeri, these snakes are all capable of exceeding 1.5 m in length.[3]

The head is broad, flat, and distinct from the neck. Dorsally, it is covered with small, irregular keeled scales. The supraoculars are also fragmented or partially divided. There seems to be a lot of variation in the different scale characteristics.[3]

Geographic range

Morocco, Algeria and Tunis in North Africa, east to Pakistan, Kashmir and India, north to the Milos Archipelago (Greece) in the Aegean Sea, Armenia and Dagestan (Russia). To the south, there is only one old record from Yemen.[3]

Habitat

Members of this genus are adapted to arid and dry habitats.[3]

Reproduction

All of these species lay eggs (oviparous).[3]

Species

Species[1] Authority[1] Subsp.* Common name Geographic range[1]
M. deserti (Anderson, 1892) 0 Desert viper North Africa: Libya, Tunisia and possibly Algeria.
M. lebetinaT (Linnaeus, 1758) 4 Blunt-nosed viper Dagestan, Algeria, Tunisia, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Russian Caucasia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhistan, Tadzikhistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir.
M. mauritanica (Duméril & Bibron, 1848) 0 Moorish viper Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
M. schweizeri (Werner, 1935) 0 Milos viper The Grecian islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean Sea: Milos and the three smaller, adjacent islands of Siphnos, Kimolos and Polinos.

*) Not including the nominate subspecies (typical form).
T) Type species.

Taxonomy

The genus Macrovipera was created by Reuss (1927), specifically to accommodate M. lebetina (the type species). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as subspecies of M. lebetina. It is now likely that certain subspecies of M. lebetina will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.[3]

See also

Cited references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 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. ↑ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 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.
  4. ↑ Macrovipera (TSN 634425) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 22 March 2007.

External links

Retrieved from "https://citizendium.org/wiki/index.php?title=Macrovipera&oldid=87470"