Ithycyphus miniatus is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae. The species is native to Madagascar.[2]
Ithycyphus miniatus | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Pseudoxyrhophiidae |
Genus: | Ithycyphus |
Species: | I. miniatus
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Binomial name | |
Ithycyphus miniatus (Schlegel, 1837)
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Geographic range
editI. miniatus is found in northwestern Madagascar.[1]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitats of I. miniatus are forest and shrubland at lower altitudes.[1]
Venom
editI. miniatus is calm and reluctant to bite, but has a venom capable of causing severe pain and, possibly, extensive bleeding in humans.[2][3]
Behavior and diet
editI. miniatus is small and nocturnal and preys on grey mouse lemurs and other small mammals.[2][3]
In local folklore
editThe common name of I. miniatus in Malagasy is fandrefiala, and it is greatly feared by many rural people of Madagascar, who believe it is able to hypnotize humans with its gaze.[4]
Taxonomy
editI. miniatus was originally described and named by Hermann Schlegel in 1837.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Raxworthy, C.J.; Rakotondravony, H. (2011). "Ithycyphus miniatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172870A6932820. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172870A6932820.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Ithycyphus miniatus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ a b Mori A, Mizuta T (2006). "Envenomation by the Madagascan colubrid snake, Ithycyphus miniatus". Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 12: 512-520.
- ^ "Snakes of Madagascar". wildmadagascar.org. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ Schlegel H (1837). Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. Partie Générale: xxviii + 251 pp. + Partie Descriptive: 606 + xvi pp. Amsterdam: M.H. Schonekat. (Coluber miniatus, new species, pp. 148-149 of Partie Descriptive). (in French).
Further reading
edit- Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Ithycyphus miniatus, p. 35).
- Duméril AMC, Bibron G, Duméril AHA (1854). Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième. Deuxième partie. Comprenant l'histoire des serpents venimeux. Paris: Roret. xii + pp. 781–1536. (Dryophylax miniatus, p. 1120). (in French).
- Glaw F, Vences M (2006). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar: Third Edition. Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlag. 496 pp. ISBN 978-3929449037.
- Jan G (1863). Elenco sistematico degli ofidi descritti e disegnati per l'iconografia generale. Milan: A. Lombardi. vii + 143 pp. (Philodryas miniatus, p. 84). (in Italian).