Echis coloratus

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Echis coloratus
File:Echis-coloratus-1.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Echis
Species: E. coloratus
Binomial name
Echis coloratus
Günther, 1878
Synonyms
  • Echis froenata - Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854
  • E[chis]. carinata var. frenata - Jan, 1863
  • Echis colorata - Günther, 1878
  • Echis frenata - Pfeffer, 1893
  • Echis coloratus - Boulenger, 1896
  • Echis coloratus coloratus - Cherlin, 1983
  • Echis [(Turanechis)] froenatus - Cherlin, 1990[1]

Common names: painted saw-scaled viper,[2] painted carpet viper,[3] Burton's carpet viper,[3] more.


Echis coloratus is a venomous viper species found in the Middle East and Egypt.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]

Description

Grows to a maximum length of 75 cm.[2]

Common names

painted saw-scaled viper,[2] painted carpet viper,[3] Burton's carpet viper,[3] Palestine saw-scaled viper,[5] Arabian saw-scaled viper, Mid-East saw-scaled viper.[6]

Geographic range

In the Middle East: Sinai, Israel, Jordan. On the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. In Africa: only in southeastern Egypt east of the Nile and as far south as the 24th parallel. The type locality given is "Jebel Shárr, at an altitude of 4500 feet ... Midian" (Saudi Arabia, 1371 m altitude).[1]

Habitat

Occurs in rocky deserts, from sea level to altitudes as high as 2500 m. Not found in sandy deserts.[3]

Taxonomy

In order to maintain nomenclatural stability, Stimson (1974) proposed that E. coloratus be validated over E. froenata. The ICZN subsequently gave coloratus precedence over froenata by use of its plenary powers.[1]

See also

Cited references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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. 2.0 2.1 2.2 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. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. Echis coloratus (TSN 634968). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 1 August 2006.
  5. Species Echis coloratus at the Species2000 Database
  6. Echis coloratus at Munich AntiVenom INdex

External links

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