Echis coloratus

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

Echis coloratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Echis
Species:
E. coloratus
Binomial name
Echis coloratus
Günther, 1878
Synonyms[1]
  • Echis froenata A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. 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
Common names: painted saw-scaled viper,[2] painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper,[3] more.

Description

It grows to a maximum total length (body + tail) of 75 cm (30 in).[2]

Common names

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

Geographic range

It is found in the Middle East in Sinai, Israel, and Jordan. On the Arabian Peninsula it has been recorded from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In Africa it occurs in eastern Egypt east of the Nile and as far south as the 24th parallel.

The type locality given is "on Jebel Shárr, at an altitude of 4500 feet ... Midian" (Saudi Arabia, 1371 m altitude).[1]

Habitat

It occurs in rocky deserts, from sea level to altitudes as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft). It is 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]

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References
  1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  3. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. "Echis coloratus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 August 2006.
  5. Echis coloratus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
  6. Echis coloratus at Munich AntiVenom INdex. Accessed 2 August 2007.

Further reading
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural HIstory). Volume III., Containing the ... Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Echis coloratus, p. 507 + Plate XXV, Figure 1).
  • Duméril, A.-M.-C., G. Bibron, and A.[-H.-A.] Duméril. 1854. Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième. Deuxième partie. Comprenant l'histoire des serpents venimeux. Paris: Roret. xii + pp. 781–1536. ("Echis frœnata", pp. 1449–1450).
  • Gunther, A. 1878. On Reptiles from Midian collected by Major Burton. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1878: 977-978. (Echis colorata, p. 978).
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