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== Etymology == |
== Etymology == |
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The original description states that the specific, or [[Specific name (zoology)|trivial]] name, was "Named for Dr. [[Edward H. Taylor]] in recognition of his many |
The original description states that the specific, or [[Specific name (zoology)|trivial]] name, was "Named for Dr. [[Edward H. Taylor]] in recognition of his many contributions to our knowledge of the Mexican herpetofauna."<ref name="Burger & Robertson (1951)">Burger, W. Leslie and William B. Robertson. 1951. ''A New Subspecies of the Mexican Moccasin, Agkistrodon bilineatus.'' The University of Kansas Science Bulletin. University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History. 34(5): 213-218.</ref>{{rp|213 p.}} Indeed, Taylor's extensive publications on Mexico's amphibians and reptiles, culminating with the "''Herpetology of Mexico''",<ref name="Smith & Taylor (1966)">Smith, H. M. and E. H. Taylor. 1966. ''Herpetology of Mexico: Annotated Checklist and Keys to the Amphibians and Reptiles.'' A reprint of Bulletins 187, 194 and 199 of the U. S. National Museum with a list of subsequent taxonomic innovations. Eric Lundberg, Ashton, Maryland.</ref> published in collaboration with his student [[Hobart M. Smith]], is the foundation of modern Mexican herpetology. Taylor's work on [[Mexico]] alone would have secured him a prominent reputation in the field of herpetology. However, Taylor made equally important contribution to Philippine land mammals, the herpetofauna of the [[Philippines]], herpetofauna of the south-central United States, ''[[Eumeces]]'' ([[skinks]] of the world at that time), the herpetofauna of [[Costa Rica]], the herpetofauna of [[Thailand]], and [[caecilians]] of the world.<ref name="Taylor et al. (1975)">Taylor, Edward H., A. B. Leonard, H. M. Smith, and G. R. Pisani. 1975. ''Edward H. Taylor: Recollections of an Herpetologist.'' Monograph of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas. No. 4: 1-159.</ref> {{rp|145 p.}}<ref name="Adler (1989)">Adler, K. 1989. ''Contributions to the History of Herpetology, Vol. I.'' Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 202 pp. {{ISBN|0-916984-19-2}}.</ref>{{rp|83 p.}} |
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==Taxonomy== |
==Taxonomy== |
Agkistrodon taylori | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Agkistrodon |
Species: |
A. taylori
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Binomial name | |
Agkistrodon taylori | |
Synonyms[2][3] | |
Agkistrodon taylori, cammonly called Taylor's cantil[4] is a venomous pitviper species found only in northeastern Mexico. It is named in honor of American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor.[5]
The original description states that the specific, or trivial name, was "Named for Dr. Edward H. Taylor in recognition of his many contributions to our knowledge of the Mexican herpetofauna."[6]: 213 p. Indeed, Taylor's extensive publications on Mexico's amphibians and reptiles, culminating with the "Herpetology of Mexico",[7] published in collaboration with his student Hobart M. Smith, is the foundation of modern Mexican herpetology. Taylor's work on Mexico alone would have secured him a prominent reputation in the field of herpetology. However, Taylor made equally important contribution to Philippine land mammals, the herpetofauna of the Philippines, herpetofauna of the south-central United States, Eumeces (skinks of the world at that time), the herpetofauna of Costa Rica, the herpetofauna of Thailand, and caecilians of the world.[8] : 145 p. [9]: 83 p.
This taxon was elevated to species status (A. taylori ) by Parkinson, Zamudio and Greene (2000) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.
Agkistrodon taylori is a vertebrate in the subfamily Crotalinae.
Adults of A. taylori usually attain a total length (including tail) of 64–90 cm (25+1⁄4–35+3⁄8 in), with some growing to 96 cm (37+3⁄4 in). The species has a heavy body and a relatively long tail: 16-19% of total body length in males and 13-18% in females.[10]
Agkistrodon taylori is endemictoMexico. It occurs primarily in southern Tamaulipas,[11] with one record near the coast as far north as Carboneras.[12] Elevations typically range from near sea level to about 500 m., with a maximum elevation of 919 m. in San Luis Potosi.[13]: 101 p. The type locality is "21 km north of Villagrán, Tamaulipas, Mexico".[6] It has been speculated that A. taylori occurs in the Sierra de San Carlos, based on the local inhabitants identifying photographs[11], however no confirmed records from the mountain range are available.[12]
There are also a few of scattered records from lower elevations on the eastern slopes and canyons of the Sierra Madre Oriental. These include a number of records from Nuevo Leon as far north as Monterrey,[11] south to the vicinity of El Naranjo, San Luis Potosi, [13]: 100 p. Atlapexco[14] and Huejutla de Reyes, Hidalgo, and near Tantoyuca, Verecruz.[15]
A southernmost record represents a single specimen from near Palma Sola, Veracruz, that was first described as a subspecies, Agkistrodon bilineatus lemosespinali,[16] however more recent accounts considered the defining characters of A. b. lemosespinali fell within the normal range of A. taylor.[10]: 266 p. And yet another more detailed study concluded Agkistrodon bilineatus lemosespinali appeared to be more closely related to, if not the same as, Agkistrodon bilineatus.[15]
The preferred natural habitatsofA. taylori are forest, grassland, and freshwater wetlands.[1]
A. taylori feeds primarily on rodents and amphibians. Juveniles are known to employ the yellowish tip of their tail as a lure to attract small insectivorous vertebrates. The yellowish tip fades as the animals mature, as does this behavior.
A. tayloriisviviparous.[3]
A. taylori is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[1] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is unknown. Year assessed: 2007.[17]
Because of its attractive coloration and relatively small size, examples of A. taylori are somewhat popular in the exotic pet trade, with captive bred individuals occasionally being available. The care requirements are fairly basic, similar to A. contortrix. This species of snake is, however, not for the inexperienced keeper. The venom of A. taylori is significantly stronger than that of A. contortrix and can cause severe tissue damage and even death if untreated. Dry bites are seldom reported, and A. taylori may strike repeatedly.
Agkistrodon taylori |
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