Bitis inornata

Bitis inornata
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Bitis
Species:	B. inornata
Binomial name
Bitis inornata (Smith, 1838)
Synonyms
Echidna inornata - A. Smith, 1838 Clotho ?inornata - Gray, 1849 Vipera inornata - Strauch, 1869 Bitis inornata - Boulenger, 1896 Bitis cornuta inornata - Underwood, 1968 B[itis]. inornata - Branch, 1991[1]

Common names: plain mountain adder, hornless adder.^[2][3] Cape puff adder.^[4]

Bitis inornata is a venomous viper species found only in Cape Province, South Africa.^[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[5]

Description

Adults average 25–40 cm with a maximum of 45 cm.^[2]

Geographic range

Isolated population on the Sneeuberg, eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The type locality is listed as "Sneeuwbergen, or Snow Mountains, ... immediately behind the village of Graaff Raynet" (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa).^[1]

Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as known only from two isolated population in southern Cape Province in South Africa: the first in the east, limited to the montane grassland on the Sneeuberg, from north of Graaf Reniet to Cradock. A second population was discovered relatively recently on the upper slopes of the Cedarberg in the west.^[3]

Conservation status

This species is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: A2cd, B1+2ab.^[6] This means that a population reduction of at least 20% is projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations, whichever is the longer, due to a decline in the area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, or due to actual or potential levels of exploitation. Also, the extent of occurrence is estimated to cover less than 100 km², or the area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 km², and the population is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location. Finally, a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected, in the area of occupancy. Year assessed: 1996.^[7]

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Viperinae by common name
• Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

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} 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. ^ ^{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.
4. ^ 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.
5. ^ "Bitis inornata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634955. Retrieved 26 July 2006. 
6. ^ Bitis inornata at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
7. ^ 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

External links

• Bitis inornata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
• Bitis inornata at Biodiversity.mongabay.com. Accessed 2 August 2007.