Pseudagkistrodon

Pseudagkistrodon
from Taiwan
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Pseudagkistrodon Van Denburgh, 1909
Species:	P. rudis
Binomial name
Pseudagkistrodon rudis (Boulenger, 1906)
Synonyms [2]
Macropisthodon rudis Boulenger, 1906 Pseudoagkistrodon carinatus Van Denburgh, 1909 Natrix namiei Oshima, 1910 Macropisthodon rudis var. melanogaster C. Vogt, 1922

Pseudagkistrodon is a monotypic genus of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The sole species is Pseudagkistrodon rudis, ^[3] also known commonly as the red keelback, the false habu, ^{[1] [2]} and the false viper. ^[4] It is found in southwest, south, and east China and in Taiwan. ^{[1] [2] [5]} One subspecies, Pseudagkistrodon rudis multiprefrontalis(Zhao & Jiang, 1981) from Sichuan is recognized as being valid, in addition to the nominotypical subspecies. ^[2]

Description

Pseudagkistrodon rudis appears to mimic vipers, and the head takes a triangular shape when the snake takes a defensive position.

The species grows to 120 cm (47 in) in total length (tail included). The head is broad and distinct from the neck. The dorsum is brown to grey brown, sometimes tinted with bronze, and interrupted by dark markings which are variable in size, disposition, and intensity of pigmentation. ^[4]

Reproduction

Female Pseudagkistrodon rudis give birth to 12–27 young per litter in late summer and autumn. The newly hatched young measure 13–20 cm (5.1–7.9 in) cm in total length. ^[4]

Habitat

Pseudagkistrodon rudis is a common species that inhabits montane meadows, riparian areas of brooks, valleys, road sides, shrubs, and rock piles. Its altitudinal range is 600–2,650 m (1,970–8,690 ft) above sea level. ^[1]

Conservation

The species Pseudagkistrodon rudis is traded in significant numbers, which might present a localized threat. However, the overall population of this widespread species is stable and its conservation status is assessed as "Least Concern". ^[1]

References

1. Rao, D.-q.; Lau, M.; Zhou, Z. (2012). "Pseudagkistrodon rudis (formerly as: Rhabdophis rudis)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T191933A2017330. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T191933A2017330.en . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
2. Pseudagkistrodon rudis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 April 2022.
3. Pseudagkistrodon at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 21 April 2022.
4. Breuer, Hans; Murphy, William Christopher (2009–2010). "Macropisthodon rudis". Snakes of Taiwan. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
5. Shao, K.T. "Macropisthodon rudis Boulenger, 1906". Catalogue of life in Taiwan. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. Retrieved 7 March 2016.

Further reading

• Boulenger, G.A. (1906). "Descriptions of new Reptiles from Yunnan". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Seventh Series. 17: 567–568. (Macropisthodon rudis, new species, p. 568).
• Pope, C.H. (1935). The Reptiles of China: Turtles, Crocodilians, Snakes, Lizards. Natural History of Central Asia. Vol. X. New York: American Museum of Natural History. lii + 604 pp., 28 Figures, Plates I–XXVII. (Macropisthodon rudis, pp. 162–164 + Plate VII, figures A–D).
• Van Denburgh, J. (1909). "New and Previously Unrecorded Species of Reptiles and Amphibians from the Island of Formosa". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. Fourth Series. 3 (3): 49–56. (Pseudagkistrodon, new genus, p. 51; Pseudagkistrodon carinatus, new species, pp. 51–52).
• Zhao, Er-mi; Jiang, Yao-ming (1981). "Studies on Amphibians and Reptiles of Mt. Gongga Shan, Sichuan, China. 1. A New Species and a New Subspecies of Snakes from Sichuan". Acta Herpetologica Sinica. 5 (7): 53–58. (Macropisthodon rudis multiprefrontalis, new subspecies, pp. 55–57, Figures 2–3). (in Chinese, with an abstract in English).