Porthidium nasutum

Porthidium nasutum - Costa Rica

The Hog-nosed Lanzenotter ( Porthidium nasutum ) is a pit viper from the kind of hook nose Terciopelos ( Porthidium ).

Taxonomy

The first scientific description of the species was made in 1868 by the French zoologist Marie Firmin Bocourt. He arranged them at that time under the name Bothrops nasutus the American Terciopelos to ( Bothrops ). Jonathan A. Campbell & William W. Lamar then led the way in 1989 as the first in the genre Porthidium and renamed them nasutum in Porthidium. Among species are not known.

Features

The Hog-nosed Lanzenotter is very small, about a finger thick and in this case has a slightly stocky physique acting on. Reaching a total length between 40 and 50, a maximum of 60 cm. The arrowhead- shaped head that sets it apart from the neck. There are 8-11 (Ø 9-10) supralabials ( upper lip plates ), 10 to 13 ( Ø 10-11 ) Sublabialia ( lower lip plates ), 21 to 27 ( Ø 23 ) rows gekielter dorsal scales around midbody, 123-145 Ventralia ( Bach signs ) and 24 to 41 non-split Subcaudalia ( under tail signs ) are present. The tip of the snout is raised significantly by an appendage over the eyes is ever broken a comb imputed recognizable. The pupil of the small end is slotted vertically incident light. The body is dark gray to brown basically. At the height of the center back neck, beginning a fine, light ocher longitudinal ligament ( Dorsallinie ) draws on the center back to the tail. On either side of it are dark brown, angular spots. In addition, covering the flanks a number indistinct darker spots. Between the eye and mouth angle is a dark band. The belly is gray colored and speckled irregularly dark.

Way of life

The Hog-nosed Lanzenotter is active both during the day and at night. Outside the shelters they can be observed occasionally while sunbathing on piles of leaves. By drawing the body style is very well camouflaged and is not easily found. For the most part they are down- inhabiting, but occasionally they also climbs in the branches of small bushes. Reproduction takes place by Ovoviviparie, so Porthidium nasutum bears live young snakes to the world. In this case, the union comprise up to 27 young snakes. To the range of prey include primarily small lizards and mammals. Compared to people is the Hog-nosed Lanzenotter easily excitable.

In captivity, the Hog-nosed Lanzenotter dismissed after mating on a gestation period of slightly more than 6 months. The young snakes are about 10 cm long, and shed their skin on the day of birth the first time.

Toxicology

Porthidium nasutum has a Viper -tube, retractable fangs in the front upper jaw ( solenoglyphe tooth position ) through which a produced in venom glands snake venom is injected into the bite wound. Bite accidents often occur, but are rare fatal evolution. Investigations of the proteome of the toxins of Porthidium nasutum, Porthidium ophryomegas and Cerrophidion godmani from Costa Rica proved for Porthidium nasutum the presence of nine different protein families. It could be indeed abundant evidence metalloproteases and serine proteases, one ( by some authors held quite possible ) prokoagulativer ( procoagulant ) effect on hemostasis ( blood clotting) in human blood plasma but could not be proven. Furthermore, A ₂ is included in the toxin phospholipase, followed by a slight myotoxic effect can be traced back. The occurrence of hemorrhage (bleeding) is possible.

Occurrence

The distribution area extends into Central America, Mexico, where Porthidium nasutum found in Veracruz and Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Southward it occurs to Colombia and Ecuador. There are areas inhabited at altitudes 0-900 m above sea level, a fund in Colombia in 1880 m height should be regarded as questionable. The species is not endangered, is relatively common and the population as a whole is assessed as stable. The localities within the occupied habitats (usually lowland rain forests, partly dry forests ) are characterized by high humidity. The Viper keeps under logs, rocks and hidden in the masonry.