Macrovipera schweizeri

Macrovipera schweizeri
Conservation status
Endangered (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. schweizeri
Binomial name
Macrovipera schweizeri (Werner, 1935)
Synonyms
[Vipera lebetina] schweizeri - Werner, 1935 Vipera lebetina schweizeri - Mertens, 1951 Vipera lebetina siphnensis - Wettstein, 1952 Daboia (Daboia) lebetina schweizeri - Obst, 1983 D[aboia]. l[ebetina]. schweizeri - Engelmann et al., 1985 Vipera schweizeri - Nilson & Andrén, 1988 Vipera lebetina schweizeri - González, 1991 Macrovipera schweizeri - Herrmann, Joger & Nilson, 1992[1]

Common names: Milos viper,^[2] Cyclades blunt-nosed viper.^[3]

Macrovipera schweizeri is a venomous viper species found in Greece on the islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean sea. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4]

Description

Grows to an average length of 50-70 cm, with a maximum of 98.5 cm.^[2]

Geographic range

The Grecian islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean Sea: Milos and the three smaller, adjacent islands of Siphnos, Kimolos and Poliaigos.^[1][2] The type locality is given as "Insel Milos."^[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii,v) (v3.1, 2001).^[5] This indicates that the extent of its occurrence within its geographic range is estimated to be less than 5,000 km², that its populations are severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations. Furthermore, a continuing decline is observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat, as well as the number of mature individuals.^[6]

So listed because its extent of occurrence is, in fact, not much greater than 100 km² -- it is known from only four small islands. There is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, and it is experiencing a decline in the number of mature individuals due to persecution and over-collecting. Year assessed: 2005.^[5]

It is also listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.^[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 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.
3. ^ Steward JW. 1971. The Snakes of Europe. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). 238 pp. LCCCN 77-163307. ISBN 0-8386-1023-4.
4. ^ "Macrovipera schweizeri". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634979. Retrieved 9 August 2006. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Macrovipera schweizeri at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
6. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
7. ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.

External links

• Macrovipera schweizeri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.
• Cyclades blunt-nosed viper (Macrovipera schweizeri) at ARKive. Accessed 26 September 2006.
• Macrovipera schweizeri at Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.