Macrovipera deserti

Macrovipera deserti
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Macrovipera
Species:	M. deserti
Binomial name
Macrovipera deserti (Anderson, 1892)
Synonyms
Vipera lebetina var. deserti - Anderson, 1892 Vipera mauritanica deserti - Kramer & Schnurrenberger, 1959 Daboia (Daboia) lebetina deserti - Obst, 1983 Macrovipera deserti - Herrmann, Joger & Nilson, 1992[1]

Common names: desert viper,^[2][3] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,^[4] more.

Macrovipera deserti is a venomous viper species found in North Africa.^[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[5]

Description

Grows to a length of 1.6 m.^[2] Others say 1.3 m.^[3]

Common names

Desert viper,^[2][3] Libyan desert blunt-nosed viper,^[4] desert adder,^[6] Sahara adder, Sahara viper.^[7]

Geographic range

Found in North Africa in Libya, Tunisia and possibly in Algeria. The type locality given in the original description is "Duriat, South Tunisia."^[1] Mallow et al. (2003) mention that it does occur in the southern foothills of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria.^[3]

Conservation status

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 its extent of occurrence is probably not much greater than 20,000 km² and its population is likely declining due to over-harvesting and persecution, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2005.^[9]

Habitat

Occurs in rocky, mountainous areas that are semiarid, but well-vegetated.^[2]

Reproduction

This species lays eggs (oviparous).^[2]

Venom

Little is known. Antivenoms meant for M. lebetina and Daboia russelii show the strongest cross-reactivity with this venom.^[3]

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 c d e} 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 c d e} Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
4. ^ ^{a b} Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
5. ^ "Macrovipera deserti". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634952. Retrieved 6 August 2006. 
6. ^ 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.
7. ^ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
8. ^ Daboia deserti at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
9. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.

External links

• Macrovipera deserti at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.