Moorish viper

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The Moorish viper (Daboia mauritanica or Macrovipera mauritanica; common names: Moorish viper,[1] Sahara rock viper,[2] Atlas blunt-nosed viper,[3] more) is a viper species found in northwestern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]

File:Macrovipera mauritanica IMG 5087.jpg
Universeum Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Description

Reaches a maximum length of 180 cm.[1][5]

Common names

Moorish viper,[1] Sahara rock viper,[2] Atlas blunt-nosed viper,[3] Atlas adder,[6] mountain adder.[2]

Geographic range

Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The type locality is "Algiers", according to Gray (1842), "Algeria" according to Schwarz (1936).[7] Limited to the coastal regions of Algeria. Coastal records from Tunisia may refer to M. deserti.[5]

Conservation status

File:ViperaConfluentaPZSL1863.jpg

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[8] Classified as such because this species is likely in significant decline (but at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) due to persecution, accidental mortality and over-harvesting, therefore making it close to qualifying for Vulnerable. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2005.[9]

Taxonomy

Based on molecular evidence, Lenk et al. (2001)[10] suggested that this species, along with M. deserti, should rather be included in the genus Daboia.

References

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  1. a b c Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. Template:ISBN.
  2. a b c U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. Template:ISBN.
  3. a b Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. Template:ISBN.
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  5. a b Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. Template:ISBN.
  6. Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. Template:ISBN.
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  8. Daboia mauritanica at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
  9. 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
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External links

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