Micrurus helleri

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Micrurus helleri
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Micrurus
Species:
M. helleri
Binomial name
Micrurus helleri
Synonyms [1]
  • Micrurus helleri
    K. Schmidt & F. Schmidt
  • Micrurus lemniscatus helleri
    Roze, 1967
  • Micrurus helleri
    Hurtado-Gómez et al., 2021

Micrurus helleri, also known commonly as Heller's coral snake and the western ribbon coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to South America. [1]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, helleri, is in honor of American zoologist Edmund Heller. [2]

Geographic range

M. helleri is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. [1]

Description

The color pattern of M. helleri consists of rings (annuli) arranged as follows: wide black rings in triads (groups of three), the black rings separated by narrow white rings, and the triads separated by wide red rings. The holotype has a total length of 64.8 cm (25.5 in), which includes a tail length of 5.2 cm (2.0 in). [1]

Reproduction

M. helleri is oviparous. [1]

Related Research Articles

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Coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be divided into two distinct groups, the Old World coral snakes and New World coral snakes. There are 27 species of Old World coral snakes, in three genera, and 83 recognized species of New World coral snakes, in two genera. Genetic studies have found that the most basal lineages have origins in Asia, suggesting that the group originated in the Old World. While new world species of both genera are venomous, their bites are seldom lethal; only two confirmed fatalities have been documented in the past 100 years from the genus Micrurus. Meanwhile, snakes of the genus Micruroides have never caused a medically significant bite.

<i>Micrurus</i> Genus of reptiles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas coral snake</span> Species of snake

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<i>Micrurus fulvius</i> Species of snake

Micrurus fulvius, commonly known as the eastern coral snake, common coral snake, American cobra, and more, is a species of highly venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. It should not be confused with the scarlet snake or scarlet kingsnake, which are harmless mimics. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Micrurus hemprichii</i> Species of snake

Micrurus hemprichii, commonly known as Hemprich's coral snake and the worm-eating coral snake, is a species of venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to South America.

<i>Micrurus nigrocinctus</i> Species of snake

Micrurus nigrocinctus, commonly known as the Central American coral snake, is a species of a highly venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Latin America from southern Mexico, Central America, to north Colombia. There are six recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Micrurus stuarti</i> Species of reptile

Micrurus stuarti is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Guatemala. There are no recognized subspecies.

<i>Micrurus browni</i> Species of snake

Micrurus browni, commonly known as Brown's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Guatemala and southwestern Mexico. There are three recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bogert's coral snake</span> Species of snake

Bogert's coral snake is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to southern Mexico.

<i>Micrurus lemniscatus</i> Species of snake

Micrurus lemniscatus, commonly known as the South American coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to South America.

<i>Micrurus diastema</i> Species of snake

Micrurus diastema, commonly known as the variable coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to southeastern Mexico and northern Central America. There are seven recognized subspecies.

<i>Micrurus corallinus</i> Species of snake

Micrurus corallinus is a species of highly venomous elapid snake native to South America. There are no recognized subspecies.

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<i>Micruroides</i> Genus of snakes

Micruroides is a genus of venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. The genus is monotypic, containing only the species Micruroides euryxanthus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquatic coral snake</span> Species of snake

The aquatic coral snake is a semiaquatic species of coral snake in the family Elapidae found in northern South America.

<i>Micrurus frontalis</i> Species of snake

Micrurus frontalis, also known as the southern coral snake or short-tailed coral snake, is a species of highly venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. It is found in South America.

<i>Micrurus mipartitus</i> Species of snake

Micrurus mipartitus is a species of coral snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central America and northern South America. The red-tailed coral snake is common in agricultural areas in Colombia. Its highly neurotoxic venom is known to cause seizures in its prey by activating nerve proteins responsible for seizures within it.

<i>Micrurus clarki</i> Species of snake

Micrurus clarki, also known commonly as Clark's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central America and northwestern South America.

<i>Micrurus averyi</i> Species of snake

Micrurus averyi, also known commonly as Avery's coral snake and the black-headed coral snake, is a species of coral snake, a venomous snake in the genus Micrurus of the family Elapidae. The species is indigenous to northern South America.

<i>Micrurus diana</i> Species of snake

Micrurus diana, also known commonly as Diana's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to South America.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Species Micrurus helleri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  2. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Micrurus lemniscatus helleri, p. 120).

Further reading