Phalotris

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Phalotris
Phalotris matogrossensis 40340761.jpg
Phalotris matogrossensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Phalotris
Cope, 1862

Phalotris is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. All species of the genus Phalotris are native to South America. [1] The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. [2] The specific name, normanscotti, is in honor of Norman Scott, Jr., in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Paraguay. [3]

Contents

Venom

The venom of the genus Phalotris was poorly characterized, due to the low amount produced by snakes of the family Colubridae. A more detailed characterization of particularly interesting proteins could only be viable by obtaining recombinant proteins. However, there is a report of an incident of snakebite by a Phalotris, which resulted in headache, local and oral mucosa hemorrhage, edema, and renal failure. Another incident report occurred with a 37-year-old biologist, whose symptoms were immediate local pain, bleeding, and edema. A few hours later, there was headache, systemic hemorrhage, fever, myalgia, and dark urine. A study of the venom of Phalotris mertensi showed a myotoxic action three times greater than Bothrops jararaca . [4] [5]

Species

The following 19 species are recognized as being valid. [1]

Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Phalotris.

References

  1. 1 2 Genus Phalotris at The Reptile Database.
  2. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Phalotris mertensi, p. 176).
  3. Species Phalotris normanscotti at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  4. "O27-Envenomation by Phalotris trilineatus in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A case report". www.jvat.org.br. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  5. "Trends in the Evolution of Snake Toxins Underscored by an Integrative Omics Approach to Profile the Venom of the Colubrid Phalotris mertensi ".
  6. Smith, Paul; Brouard, Jean-Paul; Cacciali, Pier (2022). "A new species of Phalotris (Serpentes, Colubridae, Elapomorphini) from Paraguay". Zoosystematics and Evolution. 98 (1): 77–85. doi: 10.3897/zse.98.61064 . Retrieved 2022-05-23.

Further reading