Micrurus multifasciatus
| Micrurus multifasciatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Micrurus multifasciatus in Panama | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. multifasciatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus multifasciatus (Jan, 1858) | |
 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Micrurus multifasciatus, also known commonly as the gargantilla and the many-banded coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central America and northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.[2]
Description
Micrurus multifasciatus is a medium to large species for its genus. Adults usually have a total length (tail included) of 50–80 cm (20–31 in). However, the maximum recorded total length is 113 cm (44 in).[3]
Unusual for its genus, M. multifasciatus is bicolored. Its color pattern consists of alternating rings of only red and black, with no white or yellow being present. On the body, the red rings are narrower than the black rings; but on the tail, the red rings are wider than the black rings. There are 40–73 black rings on the body, and 2–5 black rings on the tail[3]
Geographic distribution
Micrurus multifasciatus is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Micrurus multifasciatus is forest, at elevations from near sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft).[1]
Behavior
Micrurus multifasciatus is terrestrial.[1]
Diet
Like other New World coral snakes, Micrurus multifasciatus preys on limbless poikilotherms such as caecilians and snakes.[3]
Reproduction
Venom
When specimens of Micrurus multifasciatus were "milked" of their venom by a team of scientists at the Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica, the average venom yield was 12 mg (dry weight). This amount is approximately twice the estimated lethal dose for an adult human, which the scientists estimated to be 5–7 mg.[3]: 102
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
- Micrurus multifasciatus hertwigi (F. Werner, 1896) – Costa Rican gargantilla
- Micrurus multifasciatus multifasciatus (Jan, 1858) – Panama gargantilla
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Micrurus.
References
- 1 2 3 Acosta Chaves, V.; Batista, A.; García Rodríguez, A.; Vargas Álvarez, J. (2013). "Micrurus multifasciatus ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013 e.T203630A2769242. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T203630A2769242.en. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Species Micrurus multifasciatus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- 1 2 3 4 Roze, J.A. (1996). Coral Snakes of the Americas: Biology, Identification, and Venoms. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89464-847-0. xii + 328 pp., 38 maps, 63 color photographs, 49 color pattern drawings. (Micrurus multifasciatus, pp. 199–200 + Map 27 + Color 45–46).
Further reading
- Campbell, J.A.; Lamar, W.W. (1989). The Venomous Reptiles of Latin America. Ithaca, New York: Comstock Publishing Associates, a Division of Cornell University Press. ISBN 978-0801420597. iv + 430 pp., 568 figures, 109 distribution maps, 31 tables.
- Jan, [G.] (1858). "Plan d'une Iconographie descriptive des Ophidiens, et Description sommaire de nouvelles espèces de Serpents ". Revue et Magasin de Science Pure et Appliquée, Paris, 2e série. 10: 438–449, 514–527. (Elaps multifasciatus, new species, p. 521). (in French).
- Köhler, G. (2003). Reptiles of Central America. Offenbach, Germany: Herpeton Verlag Elke Köhler. ISBN 978-3-936180-02-2. 367 pp. (with Foreword by Larry David Wilson).
- Savage, J.M. (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-73537-0. xx + 934 pp.
- Werner, F. (1896). "Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Reptilien und Batrachier von Centralamerika und Chile, sowie einiger seltenere Schlangenarten ". Verhandlungen der kaiserlich-königlichen zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien. 46: 344–365. (Elaps hertwigi, new species, p. 354). (in German).