Macrovipera mauritanica
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Common names: Moorish viper,[2] Sahara rock viper.[3]
Macrovipera mauritanica is a venomous viper species found in northwestern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]
Description
Reaches a maximum length of 180 cm.[2][5]
Geographic range
Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The type locality is "Algiers", according to Gray (1842), "Algeria" according to Schwarz (1936).[1] Limited to the coastal regions of Algeria. Coastal records from Tunisia may refer to M. deserti.[5]
Conservation status
This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Classified as such because this species is likely in significant decline (but at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) due to to persecution, accidental mortality and over-harvested, therefore making it close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.[6][7]
See also
Cited references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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.
- ↑ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
- ↑ Macrovipera mauritanica (TSN 634978). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 9 August 2006.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ↑ Daboia mauritanica at IUCN Red List. Accessed 7 October 2006.
- ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 7 October 2006.
External links
- Species Macrovipera mauritanica at the Species2000 Database