Bothrops alcatraz
| Bothrops alcatraz | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bothrops |
| Species: | B. alcatraz |
| Binomial name | |
| Bothrops alcatraz Marques, Martins & Sazima, 2002 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
- Common names: Alcatrazes lancehead.[1]
Bothrops alcatraz is a venomous pitviper species found only on an island off the coast of southeastern Brazil. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Description
Grows to a maximum size of 46.2/50.5 cm for males/females. Its small size and relatively large eyes are considered paedomorphic (juvenile) characteristics.[1]
Geographic range
Found only on Ilha Alcatrazes, 35 km off the coast of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. This island, which has a total area of only 1.35 km², is one of four islands than make up the Alcatrazes Archipelago. The type locality given is therefore the same: "Alcatrazes Island, (24°06'S, 45°42'W), São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil."[1]
Habitat
Described as "low Atlantic Forest vegetation." The highest point on island is 266 m.[1]
Conservation status
Alcatrazes Island is currently used as a Naval target practice area. Such activities are threatening the habitat of the island, which in turn poses a threat to the species present on the island. Since this snake is known only from this area, habitat disturbance is a particular threat to the population.
This species is classified as critical (CRU) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) (v3.1 (2001).[2] This means that the geographic range is estimated to be less than 100 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected for the area, extent and/or quality of the habitat. Furthermore, the area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 km², that this area is severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location, and that a continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat. Year assessed: 2004.[3]
See also
- Crotalinae by common name
- Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
Cited references
- 1 2 3 4 5 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ↑ Bothrops alcatraz at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
External links
- Bothrops alcatraz at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 August 2007.