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{{Short description|Genus of snakes}}
{{Taxobox
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Macrovipera lebetina obtusa03.jpg
| image = Macrovipera lebetina obtusa03.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Macrovipera lebetina]] obtusa''
| image_caption = ''[[Macrovipera lebetinus]] obtusa''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| taxon = Macrovipera
⚫
| authority = [[:fr:Albert Franz Theodor Reuss|A.F. Reuss]], 1927<ref name="McD99">McDiarmid RW, [[Jonathan A. Campbell|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).</ref>
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| subphylum = [[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| subordo = [[Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Viperidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| genus = '''''Macrovipera'''''
| genus_authority = [[Theodore Francis A. Reuss|Reuss]], 1927
⚫
| synonyms = * ''Macrovipera'' - Reuss, 1927<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>
}}
}}

:'''''Common names''': large [[Palearctic]] vipers.<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>''
'''''Macrovipera''''' is a [[genus]] of [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]]s that inhabit the semideserts and steppes of [[North Africa]], the [[Near East|Near]] and [[Middle East]], and the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Aegean Sea]].<ref name="McD99"/> These snakes are responsible for a number of bites in Africa and western Asia every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of venom, which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.<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> Four species are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634425 |taxon=''Macrovipera'' |accessdate=5 August 2006}}</ref>
'''''Macrovipera''''', known as the '''large [[Palearctic]] vipers''',<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, [[William Roy "Bill" Branch|Branch B]]. 1995. ''The Dangerous Snakes of Africa''. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-029-8}}.</ref> is a [[genus]] of [[Viperinae|viper]]s that inhabit the [[Semi-arid climate|semideserts]] and [[steppe]]s of [[North Africa]], the [[Near East|Near]] and [[Middle East]], and the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Aegean Sea]].<ref name="McD99"/> Like all other vipers, they are [[venomous snake|venomous]]. These snakes are responsible for a number of [[Snakebite|bites]] in [[Africa]] and [[Western Asia]] every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of [[venom]], which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.<ref name="Mal03">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}}.</ref> Two [[species]] are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634425 |taxon=''Macrovipera'' |accessdate=5 August 2006}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Except for ''[[Macrovipera schweizeri|M. schweizeri]]'', these snakes are all capable of exceeding 1.5 m in length.<ref name="Mal03"/>
These snakes are all capable of exceeding {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length (body + tail).<ref name="Mal03"/>


The head is broad, flat, and distinct from the neck. [[Dorsum (biology)|Dorsal]]ly, it is covered with small, irregular [[keeled scales]]. The [[supraoculars]] are also fragmented or partially divided. There seems to be a lot of variation in the different scale characteristics.<ref name="Mal03"/>
The head is broad, flat, and distinct from the neck. [[Dorsum (biology)|Dorsal]]ly, it is covered with small, irregular [[keeled scales]]. The [[supraoculars]] are also fragmented or partially divided. There seems to be a lot of variation in the different scale characteristics.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
[[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Tunis]] in [[North Africa]], east to [[Pakistan]], [[Kashmir]] and [[India]], north to the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Aegean Sea]] ([[Greece]]), [[Armenia]] and [[Dagestan]] ([[Russia]]). To the south, there is only one old record from [[Yemen]].<ref name="Mal03"/>
Species of this genus are found in [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Tunis]] in [[North Africa]], east to [[Pakistan]], [[Kashmir]] and [[India]], north to the [[Milos|Milos Archipelago]] in the [[Azerbaijan]], [[Aegean Sea]] ([[Greece]]), [[Armenia]] and [[Dagestan]] ([[Russia]]). To the south, there is only one old record from [[Yemen]].<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Members of this genus are adapted to arid and dry habitats.<ref name="Mal03"/>
Members of this genus are adapted to arid and dry [[habitat]]s.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Reproduction==
==Reproduction==
All of these species lay eggs ([[oviparous]]).<ref name="Mal03"/>
All of these species lay [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] ([[oviparous]]).<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Species==
==Species==
Line 39: Line 31:
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Geographic range<ref name="McD99"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Geographic range<ref name="McD99"/>
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera deserti|M. deserti]]''
|''[[Macrovipera lebetinus|M. lebetinus]]''<span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>T</sup></span>
|([[J.A. Anderson|Anderson]], 1892)
|([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|5
|Desert viper
|style="width:50%"|[[North Africa]]: [[Libya]], [[Tunisia]] and possibly [[Algeria]].
|-
|''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]''<span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>T</sup></span>
|([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
|align="center"|4
|Blunt-nosed viper
|Blunt-nosed viper
|[[Dagestan]], Algeria, Tunisia, [[Cyprus]], [[Turkey]], [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Caucasus|Russian Caucasia]], [[Armenia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kazakhistan]], [[Tadzikhistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Kashmir]].
|[[Dagestan]], Algeria, Tunisia, [[Cyprus]], [[Turkey]], [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Caucasus|Russian Caucasia]], [[Armenia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Tadzikhistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Kashmir]].
|-
|-
|''[[Macrovipera mauritanica|M. mauritanica]]''
|''[[Macrovipera razii|M. razii]]''
|Oraie, Rastegar-Pouyani, Khosrovani, Moradi, Akbari, Sehhatisabet, Shafiei, Stumpel, & Joger, 2018
|([[André Marie Constant Duméril|Duméril]] & [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]], 1848)
|align="center"|0
|align="center"|0
|Moorish viper
|Razi's viper
|[[Iran]] (Kerman)
|Northwestern [[Africa]]: [[Morocco]], Algeria and Tunisia.
|-
|''[[Macrovipera schweizeri|M. schweizeri]]''
|([[Franz Werner|Werner]], 1935)
|align="center"|0
|Milos viper
|The [[Greece|Grecian]] islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the [[Aegean Sea]]: [[Milos]] and the three smaller, adjacent islands of [[Siphnos]], [[Kimolos]] and Polinos.
|-
|-
|}
|}
''*) Not including the nominate subspecies.''<br>
''*) Not including the [[Nominotypical subspecies|nominate subspecies]].''<br />
<span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>T</sup></span>) [[Type species]].
<span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>T</sup></span>) [[Type species]].


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The genus ''Macrovipera'' was created by [[Theodore Francis A. Reuss]] (1927), specifically to accommodate ''[[Macrovipera lebetina|M. lebetina]]'' (the type species). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as subspecies of ''M. lebetina''. It is now likely that certain subspecies of ''M. lebetina'' will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.<ref name="Mal03"/> Regarding the geographic range of ''M. lebetina'', it is possible that this species is now extinct in Israel.<ref name="NRDB">{{NRDB species|genus=Macrovipera|species=lebetina|date=9 August|year=2007}}</ref>
The genus ''Macrovipera'' was created by [[:fr:Francis Albert Theodor Reuss|Francis Albert Theodor Reuss]] (1927), specifically to accommodate ''[[Macrovipera lebetinus|M. lebetinus]]'' (the [[type species]]). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as [[subspecies]] of ''M. lebetinus''. It is now likely that certain subspecies of ''M. lebetinus'' will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.<ref name="Mal03"/> Regarding the geographic range of ''M. lebetinus'', it is possible that this species is now extinct in [[Israel]].<ref name="NRDB">{{NRDB species|genus=Macrovipera|species=lebetinus|date=9 August|year=2007}}</ref>


Various species of this genus (and likewise of ''[[Vipera]]'') have been suggested for inclusion in the genus ''[[Russell's viper#Taxonomy|Daboia]]'' instead, in particular ''M. lebetinus'' (Obst 1983) as well as ''M. mauritanica'' and ''M. deserti'' (Lenk et al. (2001).<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Lenk P, Kalyabina S, Wink M, Joger U|authorlink4=:de:Ulrich Joger|title=Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=94–104 |date=April 2001 |pmid=11286494 |doi=10.1006/mpev.2001.0912}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of viperine species and subspecies]]
* {{c|Viperinae by common name}}
* {{c|Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms}}
* [[Snakebite]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
⚫
{{Commons}}
* [[:fr:Albert Franz Theodor Reuss|Reuss [AF]T]]. 1927. ''Sechs europaïsche Giftschlangengattungen. Zoologischer Anzeiger'' '''73''': 124–129.
* {{cite journal |author=Obst FJ |title=''Zur Kenntnis der Schlangengattung'' Vipera |journal=Zoologische Abhandlungen |publisher=Staatliches Museums für Tierkunde in Dresden |volume=38 |pages=229–35 |year=1983}} (in German).


{{Taxonbar|from=Q1549762}}
==External links==
⚫
{{Commons|Macrovipera}}
* [http://www.herpbreeder.com/worldspecies/Snakes/vipers/macrovipera.htm ''Macrovipera''] at [http://www.herpbreeder.com/ Herpbreeder.com]. Accessed 26 September 2006.


[[Category:Viperinae]]
[[Category:Viperinae]]
[[Category:Snake genera]]

Latest revision as of 00:03, 22 July 2024

Macrovipera
Macrovipera lebetinus obtusa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Macrovipera
A.F. Reuss, 1927[1]

Macrovipera, known as the large Palearctic vipers,[2] is a genus of vipers that inhabit the semideserts and steppes of North Africa, the Near and Middle East, and the Milos Archipelago in the Aegean Sea.[1] Like all other vipers, they are venomous. These snakes are responsible for a number of bites in Africa and Western Asia every year. They have a reputation for being ill-tempered and can inject a lot of venom, which is why they should be considered as very dangerous.[3] Two species are currently recognized.[4]

Description

[edit]

These snakes are all capable of exceeding 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in total length (body + tail).[3]

The head is broad, flat, and distinct from the neck. Dorsally, it is covered with small, irregular keeled scales. The supraoculars are also fragmented or partially divided. There seems to be a lot of variation in the different scale characteristics.[3]

Geographic range

[edit]

Species of this genus are found in Morocco, Algeria and Tunis in North Africa, east to Pakistan, Kashmir and India, north to the Milos Archipelago in the Azerbaijan, Aegean Sea (Greece), Armenia and Dagestan (Russia). To the south, there is only one old record from Yemen.[3]

Habitat

[edit]

Members of this genus are adapted to arid and dry habitats.[3]

Reproduction

[edit]

All of these species lay eggs (oviparous).[3]

Species

[edit]
Species[1] Taxon author[1] Subsp.* Common name Geographic range[1]
M. lebetinusT (Linnaeus, 1758) 5 Blunt-nosed viper Dagestan, Algeria, Tunisia, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Russian Caucasia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tadzikhistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir.
M. razii Oraie, Rastegar-Pouyani, Khosrovani, Moradi, Akbari, Sehhatisabet, Shafiei, Stumpel, & Joger, 2018 0 Razi's viper Iran (Kerman)

*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type species.

Taxonomy

[edit]

The genus Macrovipera was created by Francis Albert Theodor Reuss (1927), specifically to accommodate M. lebetinus (the type species). The three other species currently recognized were, at one point, all regarded as subspecies of M. lebetinus. It is now likely that certain subspecies of M. lebetinus will also be elevated to valid species status in the not too distant future.[3] Regarding the geographic range of M. lebetinus, it is possible that this species is now extinct in Israel.[5]

Various species of this genus (and likewise of Vipera) have been suggested for inclusion in the genus Daboia instead, in particular M. lebetinus (Obst 1983) as well as M. mauritanica and M. deserti (Lenk et al. (2001).[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g 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.
  4. ^ "Macrovipera". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 5 August 2006.
  5. ^ Macrovipera lebetinus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 August 2007.
  6. ^ Lenk P, Kalyabina S, Wink M, Joger U [in German] (April 2001). "Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 19 (1): 94–104. doi:10.1006/mpev.2001.0912. PMID 11286494.

Further reading

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Macrovipera.
  • Reuss [AF]T. 1927. Sechs europaïsche Giftschlangengattungen. Zoologischer Anzeiger 73: 124–129.
  • Obst FJ (1983). "Zur Kenntnis der Schlangengattung Vipera". Zoologische Abhandlungen. 38. Staatliches Museums für Tierkunde in Dresden: 229–35. (in German).
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