Dorsal scales

Dorsal scales
Dorsal scales on a banded krait, Bungarus fasciatus.

In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.[1]

When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17. These numbers correspond to the number of dorsal scales around the body at a head's length behind the head, at midbody and at a head's length before the vent. If only one number is given, it is for the midbody count.[1]

Dorsal scale are easiest to count diagonally, starting with the paraventral scale row.[1] In doing so, it is often noted that certain scale rows are raised, keeled or smooth as opposed to the others.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  2. ^ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • scales — n. pl. [OF. escale, husk] 1. A small, more or less flattened, plate like exterior covering. 2. (ARTHROPODA) a. In Chelicerata, flattened, modified setae of Arachnida. b. In Crustacea, small calcareous plate on the peduncle of lepadomorph… …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • Snake scales — Snakes, like other reptiles, have a skin covered in scales. Boulenger, George A. 1890 The Fauna of British India. page 1] Snakes are entirely covered with scales or scutes of various shapes and sizes. Scales protect the body of the snake, aid it… …   Wikipedia

  • Vertebral scales — Vertebral scales, in snakes, are large scales along the top of the back of the snake, i.e, the uppermost row. They are a specialised form of dorsal scales.Vertebral is a term associated with the backbone, but also central scales such as on the… …   Wikipedia

  • Keeled scales — refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale,Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates,… …   Wikipedia

  • oblique rows of scales — diagonal scale rows (the almost vertical rows of scales slanting backwards and downwards across the sides of the body. Divided into scales above the lateral line starting at the front of the dorsal fin (from, but not including, the scale in the… …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • Reptile scales — Reptile skin is covered with scutes or scales which, along with other characteristics, distinguish reptiles from animals of other classes (except fishes). The family Amphisbaenidae, which has naked skin, is the sole exception. Scales are made of… …   Wikipedia

  • cross-row of scales — the diagonal scale row (the almost vertical rows of scales slanting backwards and downwards across the sides of the body. Divided into scales above the lateral line starting at the front of the dorsal fin (from, but not including, the scale in… …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • predorsal scales — the row of scales along the midline between the dorsal fin and the back of the skull. In counting, all scales crossing the midline are included …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • Vipera berus — Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • crocodile — crocodiloid /krok euh dil oyd, krok euh duy loyd/, adj. /krok euh duyl /, n. 1. any of several crocodilians of the genus Crocodylus, found in sluggish waters and swamps of the tropics. 2. any reptile of the order Crocodylia; crocodilian. 3. the… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”