Vipera monticola

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Vipera monticola

Scientific classification
| Kingdom:  | Animalia

|

Phylum:  | Chordata

Subphylum:  | Vertebrata

Class:  | Reptilia

Order:  | Squamata

Suborder:  | Serpentes

Family:  | Viperidae

Subfamily:  | Viperinae

Genus:  | Vipera

Species:  | V. monticola

Binomial name
Vipera monticola
Saint-Girons, 1954
Synonyms

* Vipera latastei montana \- Saint-Girons, 1953
* Vipera latastei monticola \- Saint-Girons, 1954
* Vipera latasti monticola \- Klemmer, 1963
* Vipera monticola \- Beerli, Billing & Schätti[1]

Common names: Atlas mountain viper.[2]

Vipera monticola is a venomous viper species endemic in Morocco.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Description
* 2 Geographic range
* 3 Conservation status
* 4 References

## Description[edit]

A very small species with a maximum length of less than 40 cm.[4] Spawls and Branch (1995) describe it as the smallest member of the genus Vipera, reaching a length of only 345 mm.[2]

## Geographic range[edit]

Found in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The type locality given is "Haut-Atlas, Massif du Toubkal, Maroc ... qu'entre 2.500 et 3.900 m" (Toubkal Massif, High Atlas Mountains, southwestern Morocco).[1]

## Conservation status[edit]

This species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Listed as such because its extent of occurrence is likely not much more than 20,000 km², and the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, therefore making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. Year assessed: 2005.[5][6]

## References[edit]

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. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
3. ↑ Vipera monticola (TSN 634996) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 2 July 2007.
4. ↑ 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.
5. ↑ Vipera monticola at IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
6. ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.