Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Metlapilcoatlus
Species:	M. mexicanus
Binomial name
Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron, & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
Synonyms
Atropos Mexicanus A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854 Bothriechis mexicanus – Cope, 1861 Bothriopsis mexicanus – Cope, 1871 Bothriechis nummifera var. notata Fischer, 1880 Bothrops mexicanus – F. Müller, 1880 Teleuraspis mexicanus – Cope, 1887 Bothrops nummifer mexicanus – Mertens, 1952 Porthidium nummifer mexicanum – Campbell & Lamar, 1989 Atropoides nummifer mexicana – Campbell & Brodie, 1992[2]

Common names: Central American jumping pit viper.[3]

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus is a pit viper species[4] endemic to Mexico and Central America.

Description

M. mexicanus, Dominical, Costa Rica.

Adults grow to an average of 50–70 cm (about 20–28 inches) in total length. The maximum total length is 86.7 cm (34+1⁄8 in) for males and 97.9 cm (38+1⁄2 in) for females. The body is extremely stout.[3]

Geographic range

Central American jumping pitviper. Mano de piedra. ( Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus)

Found in the Atlantic drainage from Mexico (in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas) south to the Canal Zone in Panama, both slopes of Costa Rica and Panama. Occurs at elevations of 40–1,600 m (130–5,250 ft).[3] The type locality given is "Coban, capitale de la province de la Véra-Paz, (République de Guatemala, Amérique centrale)" (Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala).[2]

Taxonomy

Regarded as a full species, Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus, by Campbell and Lamar (2004).[3]

References

1. Chaves, G.; Lamar, W.; Porras, L.W.; Solórzano, A. (2014). "Atropoides mexicanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T197458A2485600. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T197458A2485600.en. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
2. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
3. Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
4. "Atropoides mexicanus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 August 2008.

External links

• Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 August 2008.