Pseudocerastes: Difference between revisions

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| color = pink
| color = pink
| name = ''Pseudocerastes''
| name = ''Pseudocerastes''
| image = Peudocerastes-persicus-fieldi-1.jpg
| regnum = Animalia
| image_caption = Field's horned viper, ''[[Pseudocerastes persicus fieldi|P. p. fieldi]]''
| phylum = Chordata
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| subphylum = Vertebrata
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = Reptilia
| subphylum = [[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]
| ordo = Squamata
| classis = [[Reptilia]]
| subordo = Serpentes
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| familia = Viperidae
| subordo = [[Snake|Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Viperidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| genus = '''''Pseudocerastes'''''
| genus = '''''Pseudocerastes'''''
| genus_authority = [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], [[1896]]
| genus_authority = Boulenger, 1896
| species = '''''P. persicus'''''
| species = '''''P. persicus'''''
| binomial = ''Pseudocerastes persicus''
| binomial = ''Pseudocerastes persicus''
| binomial_authority = (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, [[1854]])
| binomial_authority = (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
| synonyms = * ''Pseudocerastes'' - Boulenger, 1896<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
| synonyms = * ''Pseudocerastes'' - Boulenger, 1896<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
----
----
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'''Common names:''' Perisan horned viper, false horned viper.<ref name="Mal03">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.</ref>
'''Common names:''' Perisan horned viper, false horned viper.<ref name="Mal03">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.</ref>
 
&nbsp;<br/>
 
&nbsp;<br/>
'''''Pseudocerastes''''' is a [[monotypic]] [[genus]] created for a [[venom (poison)|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]], ''P. persicus''.<ref name="ITIS-G">{{ITIS|ID=634428|taxon=Pseudocerastes|year=2006|date=2 August}}</ref> This species is found throughout the [[Middle East]] and as far east as [[Pakistan]], but not on the [[Africa]]n mainland. Often referred to as the false horned viper because of the hornlike structures above their eyes that are made up of numerous small scales. This is in contrast to the "true" horned viper, ''[[Cerastes cerastes]]'', that has similar supraorbital horns that consist of a single elongated scale.<ref name="Mal03"/> Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.<ref name="ITIS-S">{{ITIS|ID=634982|taxon=Pseudocerastes persicus|year=2006|date=2 August}}</ref>
'''''Pseudocerastes''''' is a monotypic genus<ref name="ITIS-G">[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634428 ''Pseudocerastes'' (TSN 634428)] at [http://www.itis.gov/index.html Integrated Taxonomic Information System]. Accessed 23 March 2007.</ref> created for a venomous [[Viperinae|viper]] species, ''P. persicus''. This species is found throughout the Middle East and as far east as Pakistan, but not on the African mainland. Often referred to as the false horned viper because of the hornlike structures above their eyes that are made up of numerous small scales. This is in contrast to the "true" horned viper, ''[[Cerastes cerastes]]'', that has similar supraorbital horns that consist of a single elongated scale.<ref name="Mal03"/> Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.<ref name="ITIS-S">[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634982 ''Pseudocerastes persicus'' (TSN 634982)] at [http://www.itis.gov/index.html Integrated Taxonomic Information System]. Accessed 23 March 2007.</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
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==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
The [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] of [[Egypt]], [[Israel]], [[Jordan]], northern [[Saudi Arabia]], the mountains of [[Oman]], northern and northwestern [[Iraq]], possibly southern [[Syria]], extreme southeastern [[Turkey]], northwestern [[Azerbaijan]], [[Iran]] and [[Pakistan]] to the borders of [[Afghanistan]]. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] is listed as "Perse" (Persia).<ref name="McD99"/>
The Sinai of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, northern Saudi Arabia, the mountains of Oman, northern and northwestern Iraq, possibly southern Syria, extreme southeastern Turkey, northwestern Azerbaijan, Iran and Pakistan to the borders of Afghanistan. The type locality is listed as "Perse" (Persia).<ref name="McD99"/>


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
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==Reproduction==
==Reproduction==
''Pseudocerastes'' is [[oviparous]] and lays 11-21 eggs. When produced, these already contain well-developed embryos than can be as much as 8.5 cm long. As a result, they hatch after only 30-32 days at 31 °C and then measure 14.0 to 16.2 cm in length. They do well in captivity and are relatively easy to breed.<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref><ref name="Mal03"/>
''Pseudocerastes'' is oviparous and lays 11-21 eggs. When produced, these already contain well-developed embryos than can be as much as 8.5 cm long. As a result, they hatch after only 30-32 days at 31 °C and then measure 14.0 to 16.2 cm in length. They do well in captivity and are relatively easy to breed.<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref><ref name="Mal03"/>


==Venom==
==Venom==
''P. p. persicus'' venom exhibits strong hemorrhagic activity typical of most [[Viperidae|vipers]]. No [[antivenin]] is available for bites from this subspecies, although it is reported that a polyvalent antiserum does offer some protection.<ref name="SB95"/><ref name="Mal03"/>
''P. p. persicus'' venom exhibits strong hemorrhagic activity typical of most vipers. No antivenin is available for bites from this subspecies, although it is reported that a polyvalent antiserum does offer some protection.<ref name="SB95"/><ref name="Mal03"/>


==Subspecies==
==Subspecies==
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|-
|-
|''[[Pseudocerastes persicus fieldi|P. p. fieldi]]''
|''[[Pseudocerastes persicus fieldi|P. p. fieldi]]''
|Schmidt, [[1930]]
|Schmidt, 1930
|Field's horned viper
|Field's horned viper
|style="width:40%"|[[Sinai Peninsula]], southern [[Israel]], [[Jordan]], extreme northern [[Saudi Arabia]] and southwestern [[Iraq]]<ref name="Mal03"/>
|style="width:40%"|Sinai Peninsula, southern Israel, Jordan, extreme northern Saudi Arabia and southwestern Iraq<ref name="Mal03"/>
|-
|-
|''P. p. persicus''
|''P. p. persicus''
|(Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, [[1854]])
|(Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854)
|Persian horned viper
|Persian horned viper
|North Iraq, south-east [[Turkey]], [[Iran]], southern [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]] and the mountains of [[Oman]]<ref name="Mal03"/>
|North Iraq, south-east Turkey, Iran, southern Afghanistan, Pakistan and the mountains of Oman<ref name="Mal03"/>
|-
|-
|}
|}


These two subspecies are [[allopatric]].<ref name="Mal03"/>
These two subspecies are allopatric.<ref name="Mal03"/>
 
==Taxonomy==
Some sources elevate ''P. p. fieldi'' to species level.<ref name="EMBL">{{EMBL species|genus=Pseudocerastes|species=fieldi}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{EMBL species|genus=Pseudocerastes|species=persicus}}
* {{EMBL species|genus=Pseudocerastes|species=persicus}}
* [http://www.plumed-serpent.com/dscour.html Desert Scour] at [http://www.plumed-serpent.com/ Plumed Serpent]. Accessed [[8 December]] [[2006]].
* [http://www.plumed-serpent.com/dscour.html Desert Scour] at [http://www.plumed-serpent.com/ Plumed Serpent]. Accessed 8 December 2006.


[[Category:True vipers]]
[[Category:True vipers]]
[[Category:Biology Workgroup]]
[[Category:Biology Workgroup]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]

Revision as of 19:54, 22 March 2007

Pseudocerastes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Pseudocerastes
Boulenger, 1896
Species: P. persicus
Binomial name
Pseudocerastes persicus
(Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Pseudocerastes - Boulenger, 1896[1]
  • C[erastes]. Persicus - A.-M.-C. Duméril, 1853
  • Cerastes Persicus - Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854
  • Vipera persica - Jan, 1859
  • V[ipera]. (Cerastes) persica - Jan, 1863
  • Pseudocerastes persicus - Boulenger, 1896
  • Pseudocerastes bicornis - Wall, 1913
  • Vipera persica persica - Marx & Rabb - 1965
  • Pseudocerastes persicus persicus - Minton, Dowling & Russell, 1968
  • Daboia (Pseudocerastes) persica persica - Obst, 1983
  • Pseudocerastes persicus - Latifi, 1991[1]

Common names: Perisan horned viper, false horned viper.[2]  
 
Pseudocerastes is a monotypic genus[3] created for a venomous viper species, P. persicus. This species is found throughout the Middle East and as far east as Pakistan, but not on the African mainland. Often referred to as the false horned viper because of the hornlike structures above their eyes that are made up of numerous small scales. This is in contrast to the "true" horned viper, Cerastes cerastes, that has similar supraorbital horns that consist of a single elongated scale.[2] Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.[4]

Description

Averages between 40 to 70 cm in length, with a maximum of 108 cm being reported. Females are usually larger than males. These snakes can attain a considerable weight relative to their size, with specimens sometimes exceeding 500 gr.[2]

The head is broad, flat, distinct from the neck and covered with small, imbricate scales. The snout is short and rounded. The nostrils are positioned dorsolaterally and have valves. The nasal scale is unbroken. The rostral scale is small and wide. The eyes are small to average in size. There are 15-20 interocular scales and 15-20 circumorbitals. The supraorbital hornlike structures above each eye consisting of small, imbricate scales and are also present in juveniles. There are 11-14 supralabials and 13-17 sublabials. 2-4 rows of small scales separate the supralabial scales from the suboculars.[2]

The body is covered with weakly to strongly keeled dorsal scales. On many of these, the keel terminates before the end of the scale and forms a bump. Many others form a point. At midbody, there are 21-25 scale rows, none of them oblique. There are 134-163 ventral scales and 35-50 paired subcaudals. The tail is short.[2]

Geographic range

The Sinai of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, northern Saudi Arabia, the mountains of Oman, northern and northwestern Iraq, possibly southern Syria, extreme southeastern Turkey, northwestern Azerbaijan, Iran and Pakistan to the borders of Afghanistan. The type locality is listed as "Perse" (Persia).[1]

Behavior

These snakes are generally rather slow-moving and may employ various methods of locomotion, including sidewinding, serpentine and rectilinear. These snakes are almost totally nocturnal, only being seen during the day or early evening during colder periods. It is not particularly aggressive, but will hiss loudly when disturbed. It is not capable of sinking into the sand vertically like Cerastes.[2]

Reproduction

Pseudocerastes is oviparous and lays 11-21 eggs. When produced, these already contain well-developed embryos than can be as much as 8.5 cm long. As a result, they hatch after only 30-32 days at 31 °C and then measure 14.0 to 16.2 cm in length. They do well in captivity and are relatively easy to breed.[5][2]

Venom

P. p. persicus venom exhibits strong hemorrhagic activity typical of most vipers. No antivenin is available for bites from this subspecies, although it is reported that a polyvalent antiserum does offer some protection.[5][2]

Subspecies

Species[4] Authority[4] Common name Geographic range
P. p. fieldi Schmidt, 1930 Field's horned viper Sinai Peninsula, southern Israel, Jordan, extreme northern Saudi Arabia and southwestern Iraq[2]
P. p. persicus (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854) Persian horned viper North Iraq, south-east Turkey, Iran, southern Afghanistan, Pakistan and the mountains of Oman[2]

These two subspecies are allopatric.[2]

See also

Cited references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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).
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 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.
  3. ↑ Pseudocerastes (TSN 634428) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 23 March 2007.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Pseudocerastes persicus (TSN 634982) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 23 March 2007.
  5. ↑ 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.

Other references

  • Joger U. 1984. The venomous snakes of the Near and Middle East. Wiesbaden: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag. 175 pp.
  • Latifi M. 1991. The snakes of Iran. Published by the Dept. of the Environment and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 2nd edition, 156 pp.
  • Mendelssohn H. 1965. On the biology of venomous snakes of Israel. Part II. Israeli Journal of Zoology 14:185-212.

External links

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