Vipera ammodytes meridionalis is a venomous viper subspecies[3] endemic to Greece and Turkish Thrace.[4]
| Vipera ammodytes meridionalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Vipera |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | V. a. meridionalis
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Vipera ammodytes meridionalis Boulenger, 1903
| |
| Synonyms | |
- Common names: eastern sand viper.[2]
Description
editAccording to Boulenger (1913): "Naso-rostral shield never reaching the canthus rostralis and but rarely extending higher up than the upper border of the rostral, which is often as deep as broad, or a little deeper than broad; rostral appendage clad with fourteen to twenty scales, in four or five (rarely three) transverse series between the rostral shield and the apex. Supraciliary edge usually more prominent than in the typical form, sometimes slightly angular. Dorsal scales in 21 rows (very rarely 23). Ventral shields 133 to 147; subcaudals 24 to 35. A more or less distinct blotch on the lower lip, involving five or six labial shields without interruption. Lower surface of end of tail yellow."[5]
Geographic range
editIt is found in Greece (including Corfu and other islands) and Turkish Thrace[4]
References
edit- ^ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ Steward JW. 1971. The Snakes of Europe. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). 238 pp. LCCCN 77-163307. ISBN 0-8386-1023-4.
- ^ "Vipera ammodytes meridionalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 August 2006.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Boulenger GA. 1913. The Snakes of Europe. London: Methusen & Co. Ltd. 145 pp. PDF Archived 2006-08-12 at the Wayback Machine at Skopelos Walks Accessed 12 August 2006.
Further reading
edit- Boulenger GA. 1903. On the Geographical Variations of the Sand-Viper, Vipera ammodytes. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1903 (1): 185-186, 2 Figures. (Vipera ammodytes var. meridionalis)