Echis carinatus: Difference between revisions

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{{subpages}}
{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| color = pink
| name = ''Echis carinatus''
| name = ''Echis carinatus''
| image = Echis_carinatus_sal.jpg
| image = Echis carinatus.jpg
| image_caption = Saw-scaled viper
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| phylum = Chordata
| subphylum = [[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]
| subphylum = Vertebrata
| classis = [[Reptilia]]
| classis = Reptilia
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| ordo = Squamata
| subordo = [[Snake|Serpentes]]
| subordo = [[Snake (animal)|Serpentes]]
| familia = [[Viperidae]]
| familia = Viperidae
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
| genus = ''[[Echis]]''
| genus = ''[[Echis]]''
| species = '''''E. carinatus'''''
| species = '''''E. carinatus'''''
| binomial = ''Echis carinatus''
| binomial = ''Echis carinatus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Johann Gottlob Schneider|Schneider]], [[1801]])
| binomial_authority = (Schneider, 1801)
| synonyms = * [''Pseudoboa''] ''Carinata'' - Schneider, 1801
| synonyms = * [''Pseudoboa''] ''Carinata'' - Schneider, 1801
* ''Boa Horatta'' - Shaw, 1802
* ''Boa Horatta'' - Shaw, 1802
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* ''Vipera echis'' - Schlegel, 1837
* ''Vipera echis'' - Schlegel, 1837
* ''Echis'' (''Echis'') ''carinata'' - Gray, 1849
* ''Echis'' (''Echis'') ''carinata'' - Gray, 1849
* ''Echis ziczic'' - Gray, 1849
* ''Echis ziczac'' - Gray, 1849
* ''V''[''ipera'']. ''noratta'' - Jerdon, 1854
* ''V''[''ipera'']. ''noratta'' - Jerdon, 1854
* ''V''[''ipera'' (''Echis'']. ''carinata'' - Jan, 1859
* ''V''[''ipera'' (''Echis'')]. ''carinata'' - Jan, 1859
* ''Vipera'' (''Echis'') ''superciliosa'' - Jan, 1859
* ''Vipera'' (''Echis'') ''superciliosa'' - Jan, 1859
* ''E''[''chis'']. ''superciliosa'' - Jan, 1863
* ''E''[''chis'']. ''superciliosa'' - Jan, 1863
* ''Vipera Echis Carinata'' - Higgins, 1873
* ''Vipera Echis Carinata'' - Higgins, 1873
* ''Echis carinatus'' - Boulenger, 1896
* ''Echis carinatus'' - Boulenger, 1896
* ''Echis carinata'' var. ''nigrosincta'' - Ingoldby, 1923 ([[nomen nudum]])
* ''Echis carinata'' var. ''nigrosincta'' - Ingoldby, 1923 (nomen nudum)
* ''Echis carinatus carinatus'' - Constable, 1949
* ''Echis carinatus carinatus'' - Constable, 1949
* ''Echis carinatus'' - Mertens, 1969
* ''Echis carinatus'' - Mertens, 1969
* ''Echis carinatus'' - Latifi, 1978
* ''Echis carinas'' - Latifi, 1978
* ''Echis'' [(''Echis'')] ''carinatus carinatus'' - Cherlin, 1990
* ''Echis'' [(''Echis'')] ''carinatus carinatus'' - Cherlin, 1990
* ''Echis carinata carinata'' - Das, 1996<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
* ''Echis carinata carinata'' - Das, 1996<ref name="McD99">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).</ref>
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'''Common names:''' saw-scaled viper,<ref name="Mal03">Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.</ref> Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper, <ref name="MAVIN">[http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/indication/ECHIS_CARINATUS.html ''Echis carinatus'' antivenoms] at [http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/ Munich Antivenom Index]. Accessed 13 September 2006.</ref> [[Echis carinatus#Common names|more]].
'''Common names:''' saw-scaled viper,<ref name="Mal03">Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.</ref> Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper, <ref name="MAVIN">[http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/indication/ECHIS_CARINATUS.html ''Echis carinatus'' antivenoms] at [http://www.toxinfo.org/antivenoms/ Munich Antivenom Index]. Accessed 13 September 2006.</ref> [[Echis carinatus#Common names|more]].
 
&nbsp;<br/>
 
&nbsp;<br/>
'''''Echis carinatus''''' is a [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]] found in parts of the [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]], and especially the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is the smallest of the [[Big Four (Indian snakes)|Big Four]] dangerous snakes of India.<ref name="WhitZ90">Whitaker Z. 1990. Snakeman. Penguin Books Ltd. 192 pp. ISBN 0-14-014308-4.</ref> Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS|ID=634967|taxon=Echis carinatus|year=2006|date=1 August}}</ref>
'''''Echis carinatus''''' is a venomous [[Viperinae|viper]] species found in parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest of the Big Four dangerous snakes of India.<ref name="WhitZ90">Whitaker Z. 1990. Snakeman. Penguin Books Ltd. 192 pp. ISBN 0-14-014308-4.</ref> Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.<ref name="ITIS">[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634967 ''Echis carinatus'' (TSN 634967)] at [http://www.itis.gov/index.html Integrated Taxonomic Information System]. Accessed 7 April 2007.</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
[[Image:Echis_carinatus_head_sal.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''E. c. carinatus'', southern India.]]
Size ranges between 38 and 80 cm in length, but usually no more than 60 cm.<ref name="Mal03"/>
Size ranges between 38 and 80 cm in length, but usually no more than 60 cm.<ref name="Mal03"/>


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==Common names==
==Common names==
* [[English language|English]] - saw-scaled viper,<ref name="Mal03"/>  Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper.<ref name="MAVIN"/>
* [[English language|English]] - saw-scaled viper,<ref name="Mal03"/>  Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper.<ref name="MAVIN"/>
* [[Hindi]] - ''phoorsa''.<ref name="SWCS">[http://www.slwcs.org/facts/snakes.html Checklists of the Snakes of Sri Lanka] at the [http://www.slwcs.org/ Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society]</ref>
* Hindi - ''phoorsa''.<ref name="SWCS">[http://www.slwcs.org/facts/snakes.html Checklists of the Snakes of Sri Lanka] at the [http://www.slwcs.org/ Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society]</ref>
* [[Sinhala]] - ''vali polonga''.<ref name="SWCS"/>
* Sinhala - ''vali polonga''.<ref name="SWCS"/>
* [[Tamil language|Tamil]] - ''surattai pambu''.<ref name="SWCS"/>
* Tamil - ''surattai pambu''.<ref name="SWCS"/>


==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
[[Asia]]. On the [[Indian subcontinent]]: [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]] (including Urak near [[Quetta]] and [[Astola Island]] off the coast of [[Makran]]). In the [[Middle East]]: [[Oman]], [[Masirah Island|Masirah (Island)]], eastern [[United Arab Emirates]] and southwestern [[Iran]]. In [[Central Asia]]: [[Afghanistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Tadzikhistan]]. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] was not included in the original description; given as "Arni" (India) by Russell (1796:3).<ref name="McD99"/>
Found in Asia. On the Indian subcontinent: [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] [[Bangladesh]] and Pakistan (including Urak near Quetta and Astola Island off the coast of Makran). In the Middle East: [[Oman]], Masirah (Island), eastern [[United Arab Emirates]] and southwestern Iran. In Central Asia: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and [[Tadzikhistan]]. The type locality was not included in the original description; given as "Arni" (India) by Russell (1796:3).<ref name="McD99"/>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Found on a range of different substrates, including sand, rock, soft soil and in scrublands. Often found hiding under loose rocks. Specimens have also been found in [[Balochistan (region)|Balochistan]] at altitudes of up to 1982 m.<ref name="Mal03"/>
Found on a range of different substrates, including sand, rock, soft soil and in scrublands. Often found hiding under loose rocks. Specimens have also been found in Balochistan at altitudes of up to 1982 m.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
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==Feeding==
==Feeding==
It feeds on rodents, [[lizard]]s, [[frog]]s, and a variety of [[arthropod]]s. Diet may be varied according to availability of prey. High populations in some areas may be due to this generalist diet.<ref name="Mal03"/>
It feeds on rodents, lizards, frogs, and a variety of arthropods. Diet may be varied according to availability of prey. High populations in some areas may be due to this generalist diet.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Reproduction==
==Reproduction==
Population from India give birth to live young ([[viviparous]]), with young being born from April through August. In Pakistan, they are mostly born in July. A litter may consist of up to 23 young.<ref name="Mal03"/>
Population from India give birth to live young (viviparous), with young being born from April through August. In Pakistan, they are mostly born in July. A litter may consist of up to 23 young.<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Venom==
==Venom==
Envenomation results in local symptoms as well as severe systemic symptoms that may prove fatal. Local symptoms include swelling and pain, which appear within minutes of a bite. In very bad cases the swelling may extend up the entire affected limb within 12-24 hours and blisters form on the skin.<ref name="Ali04">Ali G, Kak M, Kumar M, Bali SK, Tak SI, Hassan G, Wadhwa MB. 2004. Acute renal failure following echis carinatus (saw–scaled viper) envenomation. Indian Journal of Nephrology 14:177-181. [http://medind.nic.in/iav/t04/i4/iavt04i4p177.pdf#search=%22%22echis%20carinatus%22%20%2B%20envenomation%22 PDF] at [http://medind.nic.in/ Indian Medlars Centre]. Accessed 12 September 2006.</ref>
Envenomation results in local symptoms as well as severe systemic symptoms that may prove fatal. Local symptoms include swelling and pain, which appear within minutes of a bite. In very bad cases the swelling may extend up the entire affected limb within 12-24 hours and blisters form on the skin.<ref name="Ali04">Ali G, Kak M, Kumar M, Bali SK, Tak SI, Hassan G, Wadhwa MB. 2004. Acute renal failure following echis carinatus (saw–scaled viper) envenomation. Indian Journal of Nephrology 14:177-181. [http://medind.nic.in/iav/t04/i4/iavt04i4p177.pdf#search=%22%22echis%20carinatus%22%20%2B%20envenomation%22 PDF] at [http://medind.nic.in/ Indian Medlars Centre]. Accessed 12 September 2006.</ref>


Of the more dangerous systemic symptoms, [[Bleeding|hemorrhage]] and coagulation defects are the most striking. [[Hematemesis]], [[melena]], [[hemoptysis]], [[hematuria]] and [[epistaxis]] also occur and may lead to [[Hypovolemia|hypovolemic shock]]. Almost all patients develop [[oliguria]] or [[Oliguria|anuria]] within a few hours to as late as 6 days post bite. In some cases, [[Dialysis|kidney dialysis]] is necessary due to [[acute renal failure]], but this is not often caused by [[hypotension]]. It is more often the result of intravascular [[hemolysis]], which occurs in about half of all cases. In other cases, acute renal failure is often caused by [[disseminated intravascular coagulation]].<ref name="Ali04"/>
Of the more dangerous systemic symptoms, hemorrhage and coagulation defects are the most striking. Hematemesis, melena, hemoptysis, hematuria and epistaxis also occur and may lead to hypovolemic shock. Almost all patients develop oliguria or anuria within a few hours to as late as 6 days post bite. In some cases, kidney dialysis is necessary due to acute renal failure, but this is not often caused by hypotension. It is more often the result of intravascular hemolysis, which occurs in about half of all cases. In other cases, acute renal failure is often caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation.<ref name="Ali04"/>


In any case, antivenin therapy and intravenous hydration within hours of the bite are vital for survival.<ref name="Ali04"/> At least eight different polyvalent and monovalent antivenins are available against bites from this species.<ref name="MAVIN"/>
In any case, antivenin therapy and intravenous hydration within hours of the bite are vital for survival.<ref name="Ali04"/> At least eight different polyvalent and monovalent antivenins are available against bites from this species.<ref name="MAVIN"/>


The venom from this species is used in the manufacture of an [[anticoagulant]] drug. Even though many other snake venoms contain similar toxins, this particular anticoagulant, called ''echistatin'', is not only especially potent, but also simplistic in structure, which makes it easier to replicate. Indeed, it is obtained not only through the purification of whole venom,<ref name="SA">[https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/sigma/datasheet/E1518dat.pdf Echistatin from ''Echis carinatus''] at [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/ Sigma-Aldrich]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref> but also as a product of [[chemical synthesis]].<ref name="EMC">[http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group13/vipers.html Saw-scaled Vipers] at [http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/ Electronic Medical Curriculum]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref><ref name="Gar89">Garsky VM, Lumma PK, Freidinger RM, Pitzenberger SM, Randall WC, Veber DF, Gould RJ, Friedman PA. 1989. Chemical synthesis of echistatin, a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation from Echis carinatus: synthesis and biological activity of selected analogs. USA: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Vol.86(11):4022–4026. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=287380&blobtype=pdf PDF] at [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/ PubMed Central]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref>
The venom from this species is used in the manufacture of an anticoagulant drug. Even though many other snake venoms contain similar toxins, this particular anticoagulant, called ''echistatin'', is not only especially potent, but also simplistic in structure, which makes it easier to replicate. Indeed, it is obtained not only through the purification of whole venom,<ref name="SA">[https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/sigma/datasheet/E1518dat.pdf Echistatin from ''Echis carinatus''] at [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/ Sigma-Aldrich]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref> but also as a product of chemical synthesis.<ref name="EMC">[http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group13/vipers.html Saw-scaled Vipers] at [http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/ Electronic Medical Curriculum]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref><ref name="Gar89">Garsky VM, Lumma PK, Freidinger RM, Pitzenberger SM, Randall WC, Veber DF, Gould RJ, Friedman PA. 1989. Chemical synthesis of echistatin, a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation from Echis carinatus: synthesis and biological activity of selected analogs. USA: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Vol.86(11):4022–4026. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=287380&blobtype=pdf PDF] at [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/ PubMed Central]. Accessed 29 September 2006.</ref>


==Subspecies==
==Subspecies==
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|-
|-
|''[[Echis carinatus astolae|E. c. astolae]]''
|''[[Echis carinatus astolae|E. c. astolae]]''
|Mertens, [[1970]]
|Mertens, 1970
|Astola saw-scaled viper
|Astola saw-scaled viper
|style="width:45%"|[[Pakistan]] ([[Astola Island]]).
|style="width:45%"|Pakistan (Astola Island).
|-
|-
|''E. c. carinatus''
|''E. c. carinatus''
|([[Johann Gottlob Schneider|Schneider]], [[1801]])
|(Schneider, 1801)
|South Indian saw-scaled viper<ref name="CIS">Checklist of Indian Snakes with English Common Names [http://www.bio.utexas.edu/grad/sp/pubs/Indian Snakes-Checklist.pdf] at [http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/ University of Texas]. Accessed 22 October 2006.</ref>
|South Indian saw-scaled viper<ref name="CIS">Checklist of Indian Snakes with English Common Names [http://www.bio.utexas.edu/grad/sp/pubs/Indian Snakes-Checklist.pdf] at [http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/ University of Texas]. Accessed 22 October 2006.</ref>
|Peninsular [[India]].
|Peninsular [[India]].
|-
|-
|''[[Echis carinatus multisquamatus|E. c. multisquamatus]]''
|''[[Echis carinatus multisquamatus|E. c. multisquamatus]]''
|Cherlin, [[1981]]
|Cherlin, 1981
|Multiscale saw-scaled viper
|Multiscale saw-scaled viper
|From [[Uzbekistan]] to [[Iran]] in the south and east to western Pakistan.
|From Uzbekistan to Iran in the south and east to western Pakistan.
|-
|-
|''[[Echis carinatus sinhaleyus|E. c. sinhaleyus]]''
|''[[Echis carinatus sinhaleyus|E. c. sinhaleyus]]''
|Deraniyagala, [[1951]]
|Deraniyagala, 1951
|
|
|[[Sri Lanka]].
|Sri Lanka.
|-
|-
|''[[Echis carinatus sochureki|E. c. sochureki]]''
|''[[Echis carinatus sochureki|E. c. sochureki]]''
|Stemmler, [[1969]]
|Stemmler, 1969
|Sochurek's saw-scaled viper
|Sochurek's saw-scaled viper
|Southern [[Afghanistan]], Pakistan, northern India, southern and central Iran, [[Oman]] and [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]].
|Southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southern and central Iran, Oman and the UAE.
|-
|-
|}
|}
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* [[List of viperine species and subspecies]].
* [[List of viperine species and subspecies]].
* [[:Category:True vipers - Common names|True vipers - Common names]].
* [[:Category:True vipers - Common names|True vipers - Common names]].
* [[Snakebite]].
* [[:Category:True vipers - Synonymy|True vipers - Synonymy]].
* [[Snake (animal)bite]].


==Cited references==
==Cited references==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Echis carinatus}}
* {{EMBL species|genus=Echis|species=carinatus}}.
* {{EMBL species|genus=Echis|species=carinatus}}
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus1.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 1)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus1.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 1)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus2.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 2)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus2.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 2)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus3.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 3)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/www/itg/uetz/herp/photos/Echis_carinatus3.jpg ''Echis carinatus'' (image 3)] at the [http://itgmv1.fzk.de/ Institute of Toxicology and Genetics]. Accessed 12 September 2006.
* [http://members.fortunecity.com/ukp001/naja/viperidae/echis_carinatus.htm ''Echis carinatus'' (Saw-Scaled Viper) SCHNEIDER 1801] at [http://members.fortunecity.com/ukp001/naja/mainpage.htm Snakes of Sri Lanka]. Accessed 22 October 2006.
* [http://members.fortunecity.com/ukp001/naja/viperidae/echis_carinatus.htm ''Echis carinatus'' (Saw-Scaled Viper) SCHNEIDER 1801] at [http://members.fortunecity.com/ukp001/naja/mainpage.htm Snakes of Sri Lanka]. Accessed 22 October 2006.[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]
 
[[Category:True vipers]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]

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Echis carinatus
Saw-scaled viper
Saw-scaled viper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Echis
Species: E. carinatus
Binomial name
Echis carinatus
(Schneider, 1801)
Synonyms
  • [Pseudoboa] Carinata - Schneider, 1801
  • Boa Horatta - Shaw, 1802
  • Scytale bizonatus - Daudin, 1803
  • [Vipera (Echis)] carinata - Merrem, 1820
  • [Echis] zic zac - Gray, 1825
  • Boa horatta - Gray, 1825
  • Echis carinata - Wagler, 1830
  • Vipera echis - Schlegel, 1837
  • Echis (Echis) carinata - Gray, 1849
  • Echis ziczac - Gray, 1849
  • V[ipera]. noratta - Jerdon, 1854
  • V[ipera (Echis)]. carinata - Jan, 1859
  • Vipera (Echis) superciliosa - Jan, 1859
  • E[chis]. superciliosa - Jan, 1863
  • Vipera Echis Carinata - Higgins, 1873
  • Echis carinatus - Boulenger, 1896
  • Echis carinata var. nigrosincta - Ingoldby, 1923 (nomen nudum)
  • Echis carinatus carinatus - Constable, 1949
  • Echis carinatus - Mertens, 1969
  • Echis carinas - Latifi, 1978
  • Echis [(Echis)] carinatus carinatus - Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis carinata carinata - Das, 1996[1]

Common names: saw-scaled viper,[2] Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper, [3] more.  
 
Echis carinatus is a venomous viper species found in parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest of the Big Four dangerous snakes of India.[4] Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the typical form described here.[5]

Description

Size ranges between 38 and 80 cm in length, but usually no more than 60 cm.[2]

Head distinct from neck, snout very short and rounded. The nostril between three shields and head covered with small keeled scales, among which an enlarged supraocular is sometimes present. There are 9-14 interocular scales across the top of the head and 14-21 circumorbital scales. 1-3 rows of scales separate the eye and the supralabials. There are 10-12 supralabials, the fourth usually largest, and 10-13 sublabials.[2][6]

Midbody there are 25-39 rows of dorsal scales that are keeled scales with apical pits; on the flanks, these have serrated keels. There are 143-189 ventral scales that are rounded and cover the full width of the belly. The subcaudals are undivided and number 21-52, and the anal scale is single.[2][6]

The color-pattern consists of a pale buff, grayish, reddish, olive or pale brown ground color, overlaid middorsally with a series of variably colored, but mostly whitish spots, edged with dark brown, and separated by lighter interblotch patches. A series of white bows run dorsolaterally. The top of the head has a whitish cruciform or trident pattern and there is a faint stripe running from the eye to the angle of the jaw. The belly is whitish to pinkish, uniform in color or with brown dots that are either faint or distinct.[2][6]

Common names

  • English - saw-scaled viper,[2] Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper.[3]
  • Hindi - phoorsa.[7]
  • Sinhala - vali polonga.[7]
  • Tamil - surattai pambu.[7]

Geographic range

Found in Asia. On the Indian subcontinent: India, Sri Lanka Bangladesh and Pakistan (including Urak near Quetta and Astola Island off the coast of Makran). In the Middle East: Oman, Masirah (Island), eastern United Arab Emirates and southwestern Iran. In Central Asia: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tadzikhistan. The type locality was not included in the original description; given as "Arni" (India) by Russell (1796:3).[1]

Habitat

Found on a range of different substrates, including sand, rock, soft soil and in scrublands. Often found hiding under loose rocks. Specimens have also been found in Balochistan at altitudes of up to 1982 m.[2]

Behavior

This species is mostly crepuscular and nocturnal, although there have been reports of activity during daylight hours. [2] During they daytime they hide in all kinds of places, such as deep mammal burrows, rock fissures an fallen rotted logs. In sandy environments, they may bury themselves leaving only the head exposed. Often, they are most active after rains or on humid nights.[8]

When alarmed, they put on a distinctive threat display (see Echis).[2]

They move about mainly sidewinding: a method at which they are considerably proficient and alarmingly quick. They are also capable of other forms of locomotion, but sidewinding seems to be best suited to moving about in their usual sandy habitats. It may also keep them from overheating too quickly, as they leave only two points of contact with the hot surface.[2]

This species is often found climbing in bushes and shrubs, sometimes as much as 2 m above the ground. When it rains, up to 80% of the adult population will climb into bushes and trees. Once, it was observed how some 20 individuals had massed on top of a single cactus or small shrub.[2]

Feeding

It feeds on rodents, lizards, frogs, and a variety of arthropods. Diet may be varied according to availability of prey. High populations in some areas may be due to this generalist diet.[2]

Reproduction

Population from India give birth to live young (viviparous), with young being born from April through August. In Pakistan, they are mostly born in July. A litter may consist of up to 23 young.[2]

Venom

Envenomation results in local symptoms as well as severe systemic symptoms that may prove fatal. Local symptoms include swelling and pain, which appear within minutes of a bite. In very bad cases the swelling may extend up the entire affected limb within 12-24 hours and blisters form on the skin.[9]

Of the more dangerous systemic symptoms, hemorrhage and coagulation defects are the most striking. Hematemesis, melena, hemoptysis, hematuria and epistaxis also occur and may lead to hypovolemic shock. Almost all patients develop oliguria or anuria within a few hours to as late as 6 days post bite. In some cases, kidney dialysis is necessary due to acute renal failure, but this is not often caused by hypotension. It is more often the result of intravascular hemolysis, which occurs in about half of all cases. In other cases, acute renal failure is often caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation.[9]

In any case, antivenin therapy and intravenous hydration within hours of the bite are vital for survival.[9] At least eight different polyvalent and monovalent antivenins are available against bites from this species.[3]

The venom from this species is used in the manufacture of an anticoagulant drug. Even though many other snake venoms contain similar toxins, this particular anticoagulant, called echistatin, is not only especially potent, but also simplistic in structure, which makes it easier to replicate. Indeed, it is obtained not only through the purification of whole venom,[10] but also as a product of chemical synthesis.[11][12]

Subspecies

Subspecies[5] Authority[5] Common name Geographic range[2]
E. c. astolae Mertens, 1970 Astola saw-scaled viper Pakistan (Astola Island).
E. c. carinatus (Schneider, 1801) South Indian saw-scaled viper[13] Peninsular India.
E. c. multisquamatus Cherlin, 1981 Multiscale saw-scaled viper From Uzbekistan to Iran in the south and east to western Pakistan.
E. c. sinhaleyus Deraniyagala, 1951 Sri Lanka.
E. c. sochureki Stemmler, 1969 Sochurek's saw-scaled viper Southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southern and central Iran, Oman and the UAE.

See also

Cited references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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).
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Echis carinatus antivenoms at Munich Antivenom Index. Accessed 13 September 2006.
  4. ↑ Whitaker Z. 1990. Snakeman. Penguin Books Ltd. 192 pp. ISBN 0-14-014308-4.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Echis carinatus (TSN 634967) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 7 April 2007.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Boulenger GA. 1890. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. Taylor & Francis, London, xviii, 541 pp.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Checklists of the Snakes of Sri Lanka at the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society
  8. ↑ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Ali G, Kak M, Kumar M, Bali SK, Tak SI, Hassan G, Wadhwa MB. 2004. Acute renal failure following echis carinatus (saw–scaled viper) envenomation. Indian Journal of Nephrology 14:177-181. PDF at Indian Medlars Centre. Accessed 12 September 2006.
  10. ↑ Echistatin from Echis carinatus at Sigma-Aldrich. Accessed 29 September 2006.
  11. ↑ Saw-scaled Vipers at Electronic Medical Curriculum. Accessed 29 September 2006.
  12. ↑ Garsky VM, Lumma PK, Freidinger RM, Pitzenberger SM, Randall WC, Veber DF, Gould RJ, Friedman PA. 1989. Chemical synthesis of echistatin, a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation from Echis carinatus: synthesis and biological activity of selected analogs. USA: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Vol.86(11):4022–4026. PDF at PubMed Central. Accessed 29 September 2006.
  13. ↑ Checklist of Indian Snakes with English Common Names Snakes-Checklist.pdf at University of Texas. Accessed 22 October 2006.

Other references

  • Hughes, B. 1976 Notes on African carpet vipers, Echis carinatus, Echis leucogaster and Echis ocellatus (Viperidae, Serpentes). Rev. suisse Zool. 83 (2): 359-371.
  • Schneider JG. 1801. Historiae Amphibiorum naturalis et literariae. Fasciculus secundus continens Crocodilos, Scincos, Chamaesauras, Boas. Pseudoboas, Elapes, Angues. Amphisbaenas et Caecilias. Frommani, Jena. 364 pp.

External links

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