Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen

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Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen CDC.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Agkistrodon
Species:
Subspecies:
A. c. mokasen
Trinomial name
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
Synonyms [1]
  • Agkistrodon mokason
    Palisot de Beauvois, 1799
  • Agkishodon mokasen
    Palisot de Beauvois, 1799
  • Cenchris mokeson Daudin, 1803
  • Scytale mockeson Say, 1819
  • Agkistrodon mokasen Beyer, 1898
  • Ancistrodon mokasen Brown, 1908
  • Agkistrodon mokasen mokasen
    Gloyd & Conant, 1934
  • Agkistrodon mokeson mokeson
    Gloyd & Conant, 1943
  • Agkistrodon mokeson
    Davis & Brimley, 1944
  • Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson
    Klauber, 1948
  • Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
    Klimstra, 1950
  • Ancistrodon contortrix mokeson
    Schmidt, 1953
  • Agkistrodon contortrix makasenBonn & McCarley, 1953
  • Ancistrodon contortrix mokasen
    Petersen, 1970
  • Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
    Harding & Welch, 1980

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen (or northern copperhead) was formerly a venomous pit viper subspecies [2] found in the eastern United States. However, recent taxonomic changes do not recognize the northern copperhead (A. c. mokasen) as a valid taxon.

Contents

New taxonomy

The northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) was once classified as a subspecies of the copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). However, DNA based studies published in 2008 and 2015, revealed no significant genetic difference between the northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen ), the southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) and the Osage copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix phaeogaster). The three subspecies were synonymized and elevated to one species, with the oldest published name, Agkistrodon contortrix , having priority. The resulting taxonomy does not recognize the northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) as a valid taxon. [3] [4] Several subsequent reviews and species accounts have followed and supported the revised taxonomy. [5] [6] :436 p. [7]

Description

The northern copperhead grows to a typical length of 61–91 cm (24–36 in), with a maximum of 135 cm (53 in). [8]

The dorsal scales are weakly keeled. The anal plate is single. The subcaudals are single, at least anteriorly. [8]

The color pattern consists of an hourglass pattern that runs the length of the body. From above, a series of dark chestnut crossbands looks narrow in the center and wider on the sides. Between the crossbands, small, dark spots are often present. Dark, rounded spots occur at the sides of the belly. The head is a copper-red color. Juvenile specimens are lighter in color, and have a yellow tail tip and a narrow dark line that runs through the eye that divides the darker head from the lighter-colored labial scales. [8]

Common names

Northern copperhead, [9] copperhead, resident copperhead, highland moccasin, [10] beech-leaf snake, chunk head, copper (adder), copper-bell, copper belly, copperhead moccasin, copperhead viper, copper snake, copper viper, deaf adder, deaf snake, harlequin snake, hazel head, North American copperhead snake, northern copperhead, pilot, poplar leaf, rattlesnake pilot, rattlesnake's mate, red adder, red eye, red snake, red viper, thunder snake, upland moccasin, white oak snake, [10] adder. [8]

Geographic range

This subspecies is found in the United States in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, East Texas, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, throughout Mississippi, [11] northern Alabama, northern Georgia, northeast to Massachusetts (which considers them endangered), New York Hudson Valley region, the Appalachian Mountain region and associated plateaus, also southwestern Pennsylvania. [9] No type locality was given. [1]

Behavior

These snakes are generally quiet, almost lethargic, preferring to lie motionless or to make a slow retreat when encountered. When sufficiently agitated, however, they can strike vigorously and may vibrate their tails rapidly. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern copperhead</span> Species of reptile

The eastern copperhead, also known simply as the copperhead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper, endemic to eastern North America; it is a member of the subfamily Crotalinae in the family Viperidae.

<i>Agkistrodon piscivorus</i> Species of reptile

Agkistrodon piscivorus is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. It is one of the world's few semiaquatic vipers, and is native to the Southeastern United States. As an adult, it is large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. When threatened, it may respond by coiling its body and displaying its fangs. Individuals may bite when feeling threatened or being handled in any way. It tends to be found in or near water, particularly in slow-moving and shallow lakes, streams, and marshes. It is a capable swimmer, and like several species of snakes, is known to occasionally enter bays and estuaries and swim between barrier islands and the mainland.

<i>Agkistrodon</i> Genus of snakes

Agkistrodon is a genus of venomous pit vipers commonly known as American moccasins. The genus is endemic to North America, ranging from the Southern United States to northern Costa Rica. Eight species are currently recognized, all of them monotypic and closely related. Common names include: cottonmouths, copperheads, and cantils.

<i>Sistrurus</i> Genus of snakes

Sistrurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The genus is endemic to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its generic name is a Latinized form of the Greek word for "tail rattler" and shares its root with the ancient Egyptian musical instrument, the sistrum, a type of rattle. Three species are currently recognized.

<i>Gloydius himalayanus</i> Species of snake

Gloydius himalayanus also known as the Himalayan pit viper or the Himalayan viper is a venomous pitviper species found along the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Pakistan, India and Nepal. No subspecies are currently recognized. Himalayan pit vipers have been found up to 4900m above sea level, which makes it the highest living snake ever found.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western cottonmouth</span> Subspecies of snake

The western cottonmouth was once classified as a subspecies of the cottonmouth. However, DNA based studies published in 2008 and 2015, revealed no significant genetic difference between the eastern cottonmouth and the western cottonmouth and synonymized the two subspecies. The resulting taxonomy does not recognizes the western cottonmouth as a valid taxon. Several subsequent reviews and species accounts have followed and supported the revised taxonomy. Information on this snake can be found in the Agkistrodon piscivorus article.

<i>Agkistrodon taylori</i> Species of snake

Agkistrodon taylori is a species of venomous snake, a pitviper (Crotalinae) found only in northeastern Mexico. The standardized names are Taylor's cantil (English) and Metapil (Spanish), although it is sometimes called the ornate cantil as well as several other colloquial names. It was named in honor of American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor.

<i>Agkistrodon bilineatus</i> Species of snake

Agkistrodon bilineatus is a highly venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Central America as far south as Honduras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida cottonmouth</span> Species of snake

The Florida cottonmouth is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the United States, where it occurs in southern Georgia and the Florida peninsula in nearly every type of wetlands in the region, including brackish water and offshore islands. However, it is not entirely dependent on water and is occasionally encountered as far as a mile from surface water. Agkistrodon conanti venom is very hemolytic and known to cause relatively extensive necrosis compared to many snake venoms, and can sometimes be lethal with a 17% mortality rate. It is often confused with harmless watersnakes (Nerodia) and other semi-aquatic species with which it shares its habitat.

<i>Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster</i> Subspecies of snake

Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster was formerly a venomous pit viper subspecies found in the Trans-Pecos region of the United States in western Texas, and northeastern Mexico. However, recent taxonomic changes do not recognize the Trans-Pecos copperhead as a valid taxon.

<i>Agkistrodon laticinctus</i> Species of snake

Agkistrodon laticinctus, commonly known as the broad-banded copperhead, is a venomous pit viper species, formerly considered a subspecies of Agkistrodon contortrix, which is found in the central United States, from Kansas, through Oklahoma and throughout central Texas.

<i>Gloydius halys</i> Species of snake

Gloydius halys is a venomous pitviper species found within a wide range that stretches across Asia, from Russia, east of the Urals, eastwards through China. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominotypical form described here.

White oak snake may refer to:

<i>Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus</i> Subspecies of snake

Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus was formerly a venomous pitviper, one of three subspecies of Agkistrodon piscivorus, with different geographic distributions, found in the southeastern United States. However, recent taxonomic changes do not recognizes any subspecies of cottonmouth as a valid taxa.

<i>Agkistrodon contortrix phaeogaster</i> Subspecies of snake

Agkistrodon contortrix phaeogaster was formerly a venomous pit viper subspecies found in the central region of the United States. However, recent taxonomic changes do not recognize the Osage copperhead as a valid taxon.

Agkistrodon howardgloydi is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central America. It is most commonly called castellana, but it has also been called the southern cantil, Gloyd's moccasin, and a number of other colloquial names. It is a rare species with a relatively small geographic distribution in the tropical dry forest on the Pacific coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, and extreme northwest Costa Rica. A. howardgloydi is a stout, medium-sized snake with a maximum total length of 96 cm (38 in). It is a viviparous species, with females giving birth in the rainy season from May to August. No clinical reports on envenomation had been published, but laboratory texts and analysis indicate the venom is highly toxic and similar to its close relative Agkistrodon bilineatus, and potentially lethal.

Agkistrodon russeolus, commonly called the Yucatecan cantil, is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and northern Belize.

<i>Gloydius intermedius</i> Species of snake

Gloydius intermedius, or Central Asian pit viper, is a venomous species of pitviper endemic to northern Asia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Bothrocophias colombianus, commonly known as the Colombian toad-headed pitviper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to South America.

References

  1. 1 2 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).
  2. "Agkistrodon". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 1 August 2007.
  3. Guiher TJ, Burbrink FT (2008). Demographic and phylogeographic histories of two venomous North American snakes of the genus Agkistrodon. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 48: 543–553.
  4. Burbrink, Frank T. and Timothy J. Guiher. 2014. Considering gene flow when using coalescent methods to delimit lineages of North American pitvipers of the genus Agkistrodon. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 173: 505–526.
  5. Crother, B. I. ( editor). 2017. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding, 8th. edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43, 1–102 pp. (page 59) ISBN   978-1-946681-00-3
  6. Powell, Robert, Roger Conant, and Joseph T. Collins. 2016. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, 4th ed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. New York. 494 pp. ISBN   978-0-544-12997-9
  7. Uetz P, Freed P, Aguilar R, Hošek J (editors) (2021). The Reptile Database, Agkistrodon contortrix (accessed 30 August 2021)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Conant R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Second Edition. First published in 1958. Houghton Mifflin Company Boston. 429 pp. 48 plates. ISBN   0-395-19979-4. ISBN   0-395-19977-8 (pbk.).
  9. 1 2 Gloyd HK, Conant R. 1990. Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 614 pp. 52 plates. LCCN 89-50342. ISBN   0-916984-20-6.
  10. 1 2 Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. ISBN   0-8014-0463-0.
  11. "MDWFP - Venomous Snakes of Mississippi" . Retrieved 2018-07-16.

Further reading