Mixcoatlus barbouri

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Mixcoatlus barbouri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Mixcoatlus
Species:
M. barbouri
Binomial name
Mixcoatlus barbouri
(Dunn, 1919)
Synonyms
  • Lachesis barbouri
    Dunn, 1919
  • Bothrops barbouri
    Amaral, 1930
  • Trimeresurus barbouri
    H.M. Smith, 1941
  • Porthidium barbouri
    Campbell, 1988
  • Cerrophidion barbouri
    — Campbell & Lamar, 1992[2]
  • Mixcoatlus barbouri
    Jadin et al., 2011[3][4]
Common names: Barbour's montane pitviper.,[5] Barbour's pit viper.[6]

Mixcoatlus barbouri is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

Etymology

The

herpetologist Thomas Barbour.[7]

Description

Adults of M. barbouri generally grow to 30–40 cm (11¾-15¾ inches) in total length (including tail), with a maximum recorded total length of 51.0 cm (20 in). The species is terrestrial and moderately stout.[5]

The color pattern consists of a blackish ground color, overlaid with a vague

dorsal zig-zag stripe that extends down the flanks, which looks like a series of triangular markings. The skin between the scales is rust-colored, as are the sides of the head.[6]

Geographic range

Mixcoatlus barbouri is found in the highlands of the Sierra Madre del Sur in the state of Guerrero, Mexico.

The

type locality given is "Omilteme [or Omiltemi], Guerrero, Mexico".[2]

Habitat

The preferred

Conservation status

The species M. barbouri is classified as Endangered (EN) on the

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii) (v3.1, 2001).[1] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that the geographic range, in the form of extent of occurrence, is estimated to be less than 5,000 km² (1,930 mi²), estimates indicate the population is severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations, and a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2007.[8]

References

Further reading

  • Dunn ER (1919). "Two New Crotaline Snakes from Western Mexico". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 32: 213-216. (Lachesis barbouri, new species, pp. 213–214).