Echis leucogaster

Echis leucogaster, also known as the white-bellied carpet viper[3][4] or the Roman's saw-scaled viper,[5] is a venomous viper species endemic to West and Northwest Africa. Its scientific name derives from its white (leuco-), unmarked belly (gaster). No subspecies are currently recognized.[6]

Echis leucogaster
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Echis
Species:
E. leucogaster
Binomial name
Echis leucogaster
Roman, 1972
Synonyms[2]
  • Echis carinatus leucogaster Roman, 1972
  • Echis leucogaster
    — Roman, 1975
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] arenicola leucogaster — Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis leucogaster
    — Golay et al., 1993

Description
Echis Leucogaster

It grows to an average total length (body + tail) of 30–70 cm (12–28 in), with a maximum total length of 87 cm (34 in). The scalation of the head is similar to E. carinatus. The body is rather stout, the cross-section of which is circular or subtriangular. The dorsal scales are rough and heavily keeled. At midbody, there are 27-33 rows of dorsal scales. The ventral scales number 165-180.[3]

Coloration and pattern are both variable. Color ranges from brown to gray to reddish and everything in between. Pattern generally consists of a series of light, oblique, dorsal crossbars or saddles set against a darker ground color. The flanks are lighter in color, normally with a series of triangular, subtriangular, or circular, dark markings with light or white edges. The belly is an unbroken pale cream, white, or ivory.[3]

Geographic range

In West Africa it is found in northern Nigeria, western Niger, Burkina Faso, central Mali, northern Guinea, and Senegal. In Northwest Africa it is found in southern Mauritania, Algeria (Ahaggar), Western Sahara, and the extreme south of Morocco.

Roman (1975) described the type locality as "Boubon, à 20 km au Nord de Niamey, Niger".[2]

According to Golay et al. (1993), the range includes Nigeria, Niger, Upper Volta, southern Algeria and Mauritania.[3]

Spawls and Branch (1995) describe the range as extending from the southern half of Mauritania, Senegal and northern Guinea, through central Mali to northern Burkina Faso and western Niger. However, they are not sure whether or not the specimens from southern Morocco and the Ahaggar are connected to the main population. They also regard some of the specimens from Senegal and northern Mali as problematic.[4]

Habitat

Not a true desert animal, it is found along edges of deserts. It is associated with arid savannah, semi-desert, Sahel, and well-vegetated dry river beds (wadis) and oases.[4]

Diet

It eats a wide variety of prey, including invertebrates (especially scorpions and centipedes), small mammals and reptiles.[4]

Reproduction

It is known to lay eggs. Hatchlings are 12–16 cm (4.7–6.3 in) in total length.[4]

References
  1. Wilms, T.; Wagner, P.; Joger, U.; Geniez, P.; Mateo, J.A.; El Mouden, E.H.; Slimani, T.; Nouira, M.S. (2013). "Echis leucogaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T197483A2488871. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T197483A2488871.en. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  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. 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.
  4. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  5. Echis leucogaster at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
  6. "Echis leucogaster". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 August 2006.

Further reading
  • Cherlin VA. 1990. [A taxonomic revision of the snake genus Echis (Viperidae). II. An analysis of taxonomy and description of new forms]. [Proc. Zool. Inst. Leningrad ] 207: 193-223 (in Russian).
  • Golay P, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, McCarthy CJ, Rage J-C, Schätti B, Toriba M. 1993. Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World. A Checklist. Geneva: Azemiops. 478 pp.
  • Roman B. 1972. Deux sous-espèces de la vipère Echis carinatus (Schneider) dans les territoires de Haute-Volta et du Niger: Echis carinatus ocellatus Stemmler, Echis carinatus leucogaster n. ssp. Notes et Documents Voltaïques 5 (4): 1-11.
  • Roman B. 1975. La vipère Echis carinatus leucogaster Roman, 1972 de Haute-Volta et du Niger élevée au rang d'espèce: Echis leucogaster. Notes et Documents Voltaïques 8 (4): 1-20.
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