Echis megalocephalus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Echis
Species:
E. megalocephalus
Binomial name
Echis megalocephalus
Cherlin, 1990
Synonyms[1]
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] megalocephalus Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis megalocephalus
    — Golay et al., 1993

Echis megalocephalus, also known commonly as the big-headed carpet viper[2] and Cherlin's saw-scaled viper,[3] is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to one island in the Red Sea off the coast of Eritrea.[1] There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.[4]

Description

E. megalocephalus grows to a total length (including tail) of 54–62 cm (21–24 in), which is relatively large in comparison to other Echis species. The head is similar to that of E. pyramidum. Midbody, there are 31 rows of dorsal scales. The ventrals number 186–202, and the subcaudals 33–37. The color pattern varies, but generally consists of a series of pale, oblique, dorsal blotches set against a darker ground color.[2]

Geographic range

E. megalocephalus is known only from the type locality, Nokra (Nocra) Island, which is part of the Dahlak Archipelago, off the coast of Eritrea in the Red Sea.[1]

Reproduction

E. megalocephalus is oviparous.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (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. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 Echis megalocephalus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 August 2007.
  4. ↑ "Echis megalocephalus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 August 2006.

Further reading

  • Cherlin VA (1990). "[A taxonomic revision of the snake genus Echis (Viperidae). II. An analysis of taxonomy and description of new forms]". [Proceedings of the Zoological Institute of Leningrad] 207: 193-223. (Echis megalocephalus, new species). (in Russian).
  • Golay P, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, McCarthy CJ, Rage J-C, Schätti B, Toriba M (1993). Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World. A Checklist. Geneva: Azemiops Herpetological Data Center. 478 pp.



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