Montivipera latifii
| Montivipera latifii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Montivipera |
| Species: | M. latifii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Montivipera latifii | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Montivipera latifii, also known commonly as Latifi's viper,[3][4] the Iranian valley viper,[5] and the Lar Valley viper,[6] is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to northern Iran.[1][3]
Etymology
The specific name, latifii, is in honor of Iranian herpetologist Mahmoud Latifi (1929–2005),[7] who collected the holotype.[3]
Description
For adult males of M. latifii, the maximum total length (including tail) is 78 cm (31 in); for females, 70 cm (28 in).[4]
Geographic range
M. latifii is found in Iran in the upper Lar Valley in the Alborz Mountains.[1]
The type locality is listed as "Hochtal von Lar (2180–2900 m Höhe), südwestlisch des Demavend-Gipfels im Elburs-Gebirge, nordöstlich von Tehran Shalhenballs, Iran" [High valley of the Lar (7,150–9,500 ft), southwest of Demavend Peak in the Elburz Mountains, northwest of Tehran, Iran].[2]
Conservation status
M. latifii is classified as "Endangered" according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It has a restricted range (<500 km²) and the total population size is small, probably less than 2,500 adults. It is threatened by over-collection for use in serum production. Although it is not currently facing habitat loss, much of suitable habitat was inundated in the late 1970s by a dam.[1]
Habitat
M. latifii is found in rocky habitats[1][2] at 2,180–2,900 m (7,150–9,510 ft) altitude.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Nilson, G. (2009). "Montivipera latifii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009 e.T22992A9406111. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T22992A9406111.en. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (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).
- ^ a b c d Montivipera latifii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ "Montivipera latifii (Mertens, Darewsky and Klemmer, 1967)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Vipera latifii, p. 151.)
Further reading
- 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.
- Latifi M (1991). The Snakes of Iran. Oxford, Ohio: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 167 pp. ISBN 0-916984-22-2. (Vipera latifii, "Damavandi Viper", p. 132.)
- Mertens R, Darevsky IL, Klemmer K (1967). "Vipera latifii, eine neue Giftschlange aus dem Iran ". Senckenbergiana Biologica 48: 161–168. (Vipera latifii, new species). (in German).