Crotalus polystictus

The Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake[3] or lance-headed rattlesnake[4] (Crotalus polystictus) is a venomous pit viper species found in central Mexico. No subspecies is currently recognized.[5]

Crotalus polystictus

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Crotalus
Species:
C. polystictus
Binomial name
Crotalus polystictus
(Cope, 1865)
Synonyms
  • Crotalus lugubris Jan, 1859 (nomen oblitum)
  • C[rotalus]. lugubris var. multimaculata Jan, 1863
    (nomen oblitum)
  • Caudisona polysticta Cope, 1865 (nomen protectum)
  • Crot[alus]. lugubris var. multimaculata
    – Jan & Sordelli, 1874
  • C[rotalus]. polystictus – Cope In Yarrow In Wheeler, 1875
  • Crotalus Jimenezii Dugès, 1877
  • [Crotalus triseriatus] Var. jimenezii – Garman, 1884
  • Crotalus polystictus
    – Boulenger, 1896
  • Crotalus polystictus
    – Klauber, 1972[2]

Description

Adults usually grow to a total length of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in), although exceptionally large specimens may be as much as 100 cm (39 in) long.[3]

Geographic range

The species is found on the plateau of central Mexico from southern Zacatecas and northeastern Colima east to east-central Veracruz. It occurs at elevations between 1,450 and 2,600 m (4,760 and 8,530 ft). The type locality given is "Table Land, Mexico", although a restriction to "Tupátaro, Guanajuanto, Mexico" was proposed by H.M. Smith and Taylor (1950).[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[1] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because they are unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend was down when assessed in 2007.[6]

gollark: Warning: do not stick sensitive items, body parts, or honestly literally anything in the gap.
gollark: Or, for short distances, boost the voltage dangerously high and it can just *arc* across the gap!
gollark: Beam data across with radio (or for ultimate coolness, lasers), and power with... also radio?, or just don't send power along and expect the other side to be plugged in.
gollark: It's... technically possible.
gollark: Idea: wireless USB cables.

References
  1. Mendoza-Quijano, F. & Quintero Díaz, G. (2007). "Crotalus polystictus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2017.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. 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).
  3. Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  4. Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  5. "Crotalus polystictus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
  6. 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 13 September 2007.

Further reading
  • Cope, E.D. 1865. Third contribution to the HERPETOLOGY of Tropical America. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 17: 185-198. (Caudisona polysticta, pp. 191–192.)
  • Smith, H.M. and E.H. Taylor. 1950. Type localities of Mexican reptiles and amphibians. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 33: 313-380.
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