Red adder

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Red adder
Bitis rubida00.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bitis
Species:
B. rubida
Binomial name
Bitis rubida
Branch, 1997
Synonyms [2]
  • Bitis inornata
    FitzSimons, 1946 (part)
  • Bitis cornuta albanica
    FitzSimons, 1962 (part)
  • Bitis cornuta cornuta
    Haacke, 1975 (part)
  • Bitis cornuta cornuta
    Visser, 1979 (part)
  • Bitis caudalis
    Visser, 1979 (part)
  • Bitis cornuta inornata
    Broadley, 1983 (part)
  • Bitis inornata
    Branch, 1988 (part)
  • Bitis cornuta albanica
    Broadley, 1990 (part)
  • Bitis inornata
    M. Burger, 1992 (part)
  • B[itis]. cornuta albanica
    M. Burger, 1992 (part)
  • B[itis]. inornata
    M. Burger, 1993 (part)
  • B[itis]. cornuta albanica
    M. Burger, 1993 (part)
  • Bitis inornata Spawls & Branch, 1995 (part)
  • Bitis inornata Branch & Bauer, 1995 (part)
  • Bitis rubidaBranch, 1997

The red adder (Bitis rubida) is a viper species found only in Western Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognised. [3] Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

Contents

Taxonomy

Bitis rubida was described as a new species in 1997 by William Roy "Bill" Branch. Prior to that time, specimens of this snake had been identified as belonging to several other species and subspecies of the genus Bitis (see "Synonyms" in "Taxobox"). The type locality given is "Jeep track above Farm Driehoek, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa; 32°25'44"S, 19°12'30"E, alt. 1380 m [4,528 ft]; 3219AC." [2]

The common name is "red adder". [4]

Description

Maximum recorded total lengths (body + tail) are 41.9 cm (16.5 in) for females and 37.7 cm (14.8 in) for males. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Several isolated populations are found in the northern Cape Fold Mountains and inland escarpment in Western Cape Province, South Africa.

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References

  1. Maritz, B.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Bitis rubida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22475225A115666792. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22475225A115666792.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. "Bitis rubida". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 26 July 2006.
  4. 1 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. ISBN   0-89464-877-2.

Further reading