Mixcoatlus melanurus

Mixcoatlus melanurus is a venomous pitviper species endemic to the mountains of southern Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4][5]

Mixcoatlus melanurus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Mixcoatlus
Species:
M. melanurus
Binomial name
Mixcoatlus melanurus
(L. Müller, 1924)
Synonyms[2]
  • Trimeresurus melanurus
    L. Müller, 1924
  • Bothrops melanura – Amaral, 1930
  • Trimeresurus garciai
    H.M. Smith, 1940
  • Trimeresurus garciae – Taylor, 1944
  • Bothrops melanurus
    – Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981
  • Porthidium melanurum
    – Campbell & Lamar, 1989
  • Ophryacus melanurus
    – Gutberlet, 1998
Common names: black-tailed horned pitviper.[3]

Description

Adults grow to between 37.5 and 50 centimetres (14+3⁄4 and 19+5⁄8 inches) in length and have a moderately stout build.[3] In Mexico, it is called a necazcoatl, from the Nahualt words necaztli and coatl which means "eared-serpent" referring to its "horns".

Geographic range

It is found in two Mexican states, southern Puebla and Oaxaca, at elevations of 1,600–2,400 m (5,200–7,900 ft). The type locality given is "Mexico".[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii) (v3.1, 2001).[1] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that the geographic range, in the form of extent of occurrence, is estimated to be less than 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi), that estimates indicate it to be severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 5 locations, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected, in area, extent and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. In 2007 when it was last assessed, the population trend was down.[6]

Behavior

Terrestrial.[3]

References
  1. Canseco-Márquez, L.; Campbell, J.A.; Ponce-Campos, P.; Muñoz-Alonso, A. & García Aguayo, A. (2007). "Mixcoatlus melanurus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2007: e.T64340A12772134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64340A12772134.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  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. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  4. Mixcoatlus melanurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 December 2014.
  5. "Ophryacus melanurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  6. 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 27 July 2008.

Further reading
  • Müller, L. 1924. Ueber neue oder seltene mittel- und südamerikanische Amphibien und Reptilien. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin
    11 (1): 75-93. (Trimeresurus melanurus, p. 92.)
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