Mixcoatlus melanurus

Mixcoatlus melanurus
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Mixcoatlus
Species:	M. melanurus
Binomial name
	Mixcoatlus melanurus; (L. Müller, 1924)
Synonyms
	Trimeresurus melanurus ; L. Müller, 1924; Bothrops melanura – Amaral, 1930; Trimeresurus garciai ; H.M. Smith, 1940; Trimeresurus garciae – Taylor, 1944; Bothrops melanurus ; – Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981; Porthidium melanurum ; – Campbell & Lamar, 1989; Ophryacus melanurus ; – Gutberlet, 1998;

Mixcoatlus melanurus is a pit viper species endemic to the mountains of southern Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4]^[5]

Common names: black-tailed horned pit viper.^[3]

Description

Adults grow to between 37.5 and 50 centimetres (14 3⁄4 and 19 5⁄8 inches) in length and have a moderately stout build.^[3] In Mexico, it is called a necazcoatl, from the Nahualt words necaztli and coatl which means "eared-serpent" referring to its "horns".

Geographic range

It is found in two Mexican states, southern Puebla and Oaxaca, at elevations of 1,600–2,400 m (5,200–7,900 ft). The type locality given is "Mexico".^[2]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii) (v3.1, 2001).^[1] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that the geographic range, in the form of extent of occurrence, is estimated to be less than 5,000 km² (1,900 sq mi), that estimates indicate it to be severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 5 locations, and that a continuing decline has been observed, inferred or projected, in area, extent and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. In 2007 when it was last assessed, the population trend was down.^[6]

Behavior

Terrestrial.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Canseco-Márquez, L.; Campbell, J.A.; Ponce-Campos, P.; Muñoz-Alonso, A. & García Aguayo, A. (2007). "Mixcoatlus melanurus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007. IUCN: e.T64340A12772134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64340A12772134.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
^ ^a ^b 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).
^ ^a ^b ^c Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
^ Mixcoatlus melanurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 December 2014.
^ "Ophryacus melanurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 27 July 2008.

External links

Ophryacus melanurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 27 July 2008.

[IUCN-1] Canseco-Márquez, L.; Campbell, J.A.; Ponce-Campos, P.; Muñoz-Alonso, A. & García Aguayo, A. (2007). "Mixcoatlus melanurus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007. IUCN: e.T64340A12772134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64340A12772134.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.

[McD99-2] 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).

[C&L04-3] Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.

[RDB-4] Mixcoatlus melanurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 December 2014.

[ITIS-5] "Ophryacus melanurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 July 2008.

[IUCN-31-6] 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 27 July 2008.

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