Vipera latifii

Vipera latifii
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Vipera
Species:	V. latifii
Binomial name
Vipera latifii Mertens, Darevsky & Klemmer, 1967
Synonyms
Vipera latifii - Mertens, Darevsky & Klemmer, 1967 Daboia (Daboia) raddei latifii - Obst, 1983 Vipera latifii - Weinstein & Minton, 1984 Vipera raddei latifii - Golay et al., 1993[2]

Common names: Latifi's viper,^[3] Iranian valley viper.^[4]

Vipera latifii is a venomous viper species endemic in Iran. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[5]

Description

For adult males, the maximum length is 78 cm, for females 70 cm.^[3]

Holotype: SMF 62585.^[2]

Geographic range

Iran: upper Lar Valley in the Elburz Mountains. The type locality is listed as "Hochtal von Lar (2180-2900 m Höhe), südwestlisch des Demavend-Gipfels im Elburs-Gebirge, nordöstlich von Tehran, Iran" [High valley of the Lar (2180-2900 m), southwest of the Demavend Peak in the Elburz Mountains, northwest of Tehran, Iran].^[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1+2c (v2.3, 1994).^[6] This indicates that the extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 20,000 km², or the area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km². Estimates indicate that the total population is severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than ten locations. Also, a continuing decline is inferred, observed or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of its habitat. Year assessed: 1996.^[7]

Habitat

Rocky habitats at 2180-2900 m altitude.^[2]

See also

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

References

1. ^ Nilson, G. (2008). "Montivipera latifii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22992. Retrieved 26 June 2011.  Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} 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).
3. ^ ^{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.
4. ^ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
5. ^ "Vipera latifii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=202181. Retrieved 17 August 2006. 
6. ^ Vipera latifii 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

• Vipera latifii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.