Montivipera albizona
Montivipera albizona | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Montivipera |
Species: | M. albizona
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Binomial name | |
Montivipera albizona | |
Montivipera albizona, the central Turkish mountain viper,[2] is a viper species endemic to the mountainous regions of central Turkey.[2] Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
Description
The maximum total length is a little less than 78 cm (31 in) (for a male), although most specimens are smaller.[2]
The head is relatively large and distinct from the neck. The snout is rounded and covered with small, keeled scales. The nostril is located within a single
Midbody there are 23 rows of keeled
The color pattern consists of a grayish ground color. Running along the midline from the back of the head to the tail is a series of about 30 transversed and pronounced white- and black-edged narrow bands separated by a brick-red brown zone 3-4 scales long and 9-12 scales wide. Lateral spots may be small and in a double series. There are usually two large black, oblique spots on top of the head, as well as a dark stripe running from the corner of the eye back to the angle of the mouth or beyond. The belly is grayish and finely speckled with darker spots.[2]
Geographic range
Central
Conservation status
This species is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the
It is also listed as a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the
Habitat
Very rocky and dry mountain slopes and fields.[2]
Taxonomy
After Nilson et al. (1990) first described M. albizona as a separate species that is
References
- ^ ISBN 1-893777-01-4(volume).
- ^ ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ^ "Vipera albizona". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 August 2006.
- ^ Vipera albizona at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ^ 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.
- . Accessed 2 October 2006.
Further reading
- Bettex F. 1993. Beobachtungen an Vipera bulgardaghica, Vipera albizona und Vipera xanthina im Freiland und im Terrarium. Herptofauna 15 (86): 21–26.
- Nilson B, Andrén C, Flärdh B. 1990. Vipera albizona, a new mountain viper from central Turkey, with comments on isolating effects of the Anatolian 'Diagonal'. Amphibia-Reptilia 11 (3): 285–294.
- Schätti B, Baran I, Sigg H. 1992. The Vipera xanthina complex - a reply to Nilson and Andrén. Amphibia-Reptilia 13: 425.
External links
- Montivipera albizona at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.