Macrovipera lebetinus transmediterranea explained

Common names: (none).

Macrovipera lebetinus transmediterranea is a viper subspecies endemic to North Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

Description

This subspecies is not known to exceed 1m (03feet) in total length (body + tail). It is further distinguished by having only 25 midbody dorsal scale rows, a lower ventral scale count of 150-164 scales, and more fragmented head scales. The color pattern is light gray with 34-41 dark transverse bars which are each 2-3 scales wide.^[1]

Geographic range

It is found only in North Africa, where it is restricted to the coastal mountains of Algeria and Tunis.^[2] One of the few specific localities where it is known to occur is Djebel Murdjaro near Oran in western Algeria.^[1] This subspecies may be sympatric with M. deserti and/or D. mauritanica.^[2]

Further reading

• Nilson G, Andrén C. 1988. Vipera lebetina transmediterranea, a new subspecies of viper from North Africa, with remarks on the taxonomy of Vipera lebetina and Vipera mauritanica (Reptilia: Viperidae). Bonn zool. Beitr. 39 (4): 371-379.

Notes and References

1. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. .
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. .