Daboia russelii (SHAW & NODDER, 1797)

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Higher Taxa	Viperidae, Viperinae, Serpentes (snakes)
Subspecies
Common Names	E: Russel’s Viper G: Kettenviper
Synonym	Coluber Russelii [sic] SHAW & NODDER 1797: plate 291 Vipera elegans DAUDIN 1803: 447 Daboia elegans — GRAY 1842: 69 Daboia pulchella GRAY 1842: 69 Daboia Russellii GRAY 1849 Daboia elegans — SHORTT 1863: 384 Vipera Russellii STRAUCH 1869 Vipera russelli limitis MERTENS 1927 Vipera russelli limitis — MERTENS 1930 Vipera russelli formosensis MAKI 1931 Vipera russelli — SMITH 1943: 482 Vipera russelli nordicus DERANIYAGALA 1945 Daboia russelii — OBST 1983 Daboia russelli russelli — WELCH 1994: 51 Daboia russellii — MANTHEY & GROSSMANN 1997: 434 Daboia russelii — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 371 Vipera russelli — SHARMA 2004 Daboia russelii — THORPE et al. 2007
Distribution	Pakistan, India (Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Northern Bengal), Sri Lanka (elevation up to 1500 m), Bangladesh Type locality: Coromandel Coast [India] Map legend: - Region according to the TDWG standard, not a precise distribution map. NOTE: TDWG regions are generated automatically from the text in the distribution field and this does not always work properly. We are working on it.
Types	Syntypes: BMNH
Comment	Venomous! Possibly the most common of the dangerously venomous snakes occurring in southern Asia, and responsible for more than half of all reported snakebites. Subspecies: Wüster (1998) recognized only russelii and siamensis as subspecies. Daboia russelii siamensis (SMITH 1917) has been elevated to full species status. Etymology: Named for Patrick Russell [sic!], author of “Indian Serpents” (1796). However, SHAW consistently spelled both Russell and the species epithet with a single “l”, therefore the name has to be russeli in accordance with the Code. For an extensive discussion of the nomenclatural history of this species see MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999 and ADLER et al. 2000. Type species: Daboia elegans Gray, 1842 is the type species of the genus Daboia GRAY 1842. Synonymy: Kaiser et al. 2013 rejected the generic name Maxhoservipera Hoser 2012 and synonymized it with Daboia. DIAGNOSIS: No sensory pit between nostril and eye; head very distinct from neck, above covered by small, keeled, imbricate scales, 6–9 between narrow supraoculars; nostril large, in large nasal shield which, below, is fused to the rostral; eye, with vertically elliptic pupil, surrounded by 10–15 small scales, 3–4 rows of small scales separating the circumocular scales from the upper labials; temporals small; 10–12 upper labials; 27–33 longitudinal rows of scales at midbody, all except outmost row strongly keeled; ventrals 153–180; subcaudals 41–64, all paired; color above light brown with 3 longitudinal series of large black-margined brown spots or blotches, the vertebral series often merging to form a chain-like longitudinal stripe, occasionally an additional longitudinal series of small dark spots between vertebral and lateral series; yellowish white below occasionally with dark brown markings. Total length to 1600 mm are not uncommon (fide Smith 1943:484). [after LEVITON 2003] Reproduction: ovoviviparous, 5-50 live offspring.
References	Adler, K., Hobart M. Smith, S. H. Prince, P. David & D. Chiszar 2000. Russell's Viper: Daboia russelii not Daboia russellii, due to Classical Latin rules. Hamadryad, 25(2): 83-85. Avadhani, R. 2005. Snakes of India. Reptilia (GB) (41): 32-37 - get paper here Avadhani, R. 2006. Vipera russelli - The dreaded Russell’s viper. Reptilia (GB) (46): 50-53 - get paper here Bannermann, W.B. 1907. Note on the breeding of Russell's Viper (Vipera russelli) in captivity. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 808-811 - get paper here Bannermann, W.B. 1907. Note on the Breeding of Snakes in captivity. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 18: 208 - get paper here Botejue, W. Madhava S.; Jayantha Wattavidanage 2012. Herpetofaunal diversity and distribution in Kalugala proposed forest reserve, Western province of Sri Lanka. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 5 (2): 65-80(e38). - get paper here Brongersma, L. D. 1958. Note on Vipera russelii (Shaw). Zoologische Mededelingen 36: 55-76 - get paper here Chan-ard,T.; Grossmann,W.; Gumprecht,A. & Schulz,K. D. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles of peninsular Malaysia and Thailand - an illustrated checklist [bilingual English and German]. Bushmaster Publications, Würselen, Gemany, 240 pp. [book review in Russ. J Herp. 7: 87] - get paper here Cox, Merel J.; Van Dijk, Peter Paul; Jarujin Nabhitabhata & Thirakhupt,Kumthorn 1998. A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Ralph Curtis Publishing, 144 pp. Das, I. & De Silva, A. 2005. Photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Sri Lanka. New Holland Publishers, 144 pp. de Silva, A. 1998. Snakes of Sri Lanka: a checklist and an annotated bibliography. Dept. Wildlife Conservation/GEF/UNDP/FAO, Colombo. Dowling, H.G., & Jenner, J.V. 1988. Snakes of Burma: checklist of reported species and bibliography Smithsonian Herp. Inf. Serv. (76): 19 pp. - get paper here Dowling,H.G. 1993. The name of Russel's viper. Amphibia-Reptilia 14: 320 - get paper here Fenton, L.L. 1905. The Russell's Viper. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 16: 173 - get paper here Habib, Bilal & Bharat Cheda 2010. Ninety-six young ones born to Russell’s Viper Daboia russelii Reptile Rap (10): 20-21 - get paper here Hoser, R. 2012. A taxonomic revision of the Vipera palaestinae Werner, 1938 species group, with the creation of a new genus and a new subgenus. Australasian Journal of Herpetology 11: 53-55 - get paper here Janzen, P.; Klaas, P. & Ziesmann, S. 2007. Sri Lankas Schlangenfauna. Draco 7 (30): 56-64 - get paper here Jayakody, RL. 2001. Russell of Russell's Viper Fame. Ceylon Medical Journal 46 (2):39-40 Kaiser, H.; Crother, B.I.; Kelly, C.M.R.; Luiselli, L.; O’Shea, M.; Ota, H.; Passos, P.; Schleip, W. 2013. Best Practices: In the 21st Century, Taxonomic Decisions in Herpetology are Acceptable Only When Supported by a Body of Evidence and Published via Peer-Review. Herpetological Review 44 (1): 8-23 Karunarathna, Suranjan; D. M. S. and A. A. Thasun Amarasinghe 2011. A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE REPTILE FAUNA IN NILGALA FOREST AND ITS VICINITY, MONARAGALA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA. TAPROBANICA 03 (02): pp. 69-76 Khan, M.S. 1983. Venomous terrestrial snakes of Pakistan The Snake 15 (2): 101-105. Leviton, Alan E.; Guinevere O.U. Wogan; Michelle S. Koo; George R. Zug; Rhonda S. Lucas and Jens V. 2003. The Dangerously Venomous Snakes of Myanmar Illustrated Checklist with Keys. Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 54 (24): 407–462 Maki, M. 1931. Monograph of the Snakes of Japan. Dai-ichi Shobo, Tokyo. (1), 7, 240 pages (expanded edition 1933) Manthey, U. & Grossmann, W. 1997. Amphibien & Reptilien Südostasiens. Natur und Tier Verlag (Münster), 512 pp. - get paper here McDiarmid,R.W.; Campbell,J.A. & Touré,T.A. 1999. Snake species of the world. Vol. 1. Herpetologists’ League, 511 pp. Mertens, R. 1927. Herpetologische Mitteilungen XVIII. Zur Verbreitung der Vipera russelii SHAW. Senckenbergiana biologica 19:182-184. Mertens, R. 1930. Die Amphibien und Reptilien der Inseln Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa und Flores. Senck. Naturf. Gesell., Frankfurt am Main, Abhandl. 42(3): 117-344. Murthy, T.S.N. 2010. The reptile fauna of India. B.R. Publishing, New Delhi, 332 pp. Narayan Rao, C.R. 1918. Notes on the Russell's Viper. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 25: 307 - get paper here Norval, G.; Chu, H.P.; Bursey, C.R.; Goldberg, S.R.; Cheng, M.H. & Mao, J.J. 2008. Kalicephalus sp. von einer Kettenviper (Vipera russellii siamensis SMITH 1917) in Taiwan. Sauria 30 (2): 41-44 - get paper here Phelps, T. 2010. Old World Vipers. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, 558 pp. [critical review in Sauria 33 (3): 19 and HR 43: 503] Saikia, U.; Sharma, D.K. & Sharma, R.M. 2007. Checklist of the Reptilian fauna of Himachal Pradesh, India. Reptile Rap (8): 6-9 - get paper here Sharma, R. C. 2004. Handbook Indian Snakes. AKHIL BOOKS, New Delhi, 292 pp. Shaw, George & Nodder, Frederick P. (Eds.) 1797. The Naturalist's Miscellany [...], Vol. VIII. London, Nodder & Co., plates 255-300, 180 unnumbered pages, [published in monthly issues between August 1, 1796, and July 1, 1797] - get paper here Shortt 1861. Letter respecting an Indian snake [Daboia elegans]. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1861: 265-266 - get paper here Shortt 1863. ... A short account of the viper Daboia elegans (Vipera Russellii)... Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3) 11: 384-385 - get paper here Smith, M.A. 1943. The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-Region. Reptilia and Amphibia. 3 (Serpentes). Taylor and Francis, London. 583 pp. Smith,M.A. 1917. Descriptions of new reptiles and a new batrachian from Siam. J. Nat. Hist. Soc. Siam 2: 221-225 Taylor,E.H. 1965. The serpents of Thailand and adjacent waters. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 45 (9): 609-1096 - get paper here Thakur, Sanjay 2011. A note on snakes of Kanha National Park and surrounding areas Reptile Rap (11): 2-4 - get paper here Thorpe, S Roger, Pook, E Catharine, Malhotra, Anita 2007. Phylogeography of the Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) complex in relation to variation in the colour pattern and symptoms of envenoming. Herpetological Journal 17 (4): 209-218 Tsetan, Chime & R. Ramanibai 2011. Reptilian fauna of agricultural landscapes of Chembarambakkam Lake, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Reptile Rap (13): 2-8 - get paper here Vyas, Raju 2007. Herptofauna of Puma Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India Reptile Rap (8): 10-15 - get paper here Vyas, Raju 2011. Reptilian diversity in and around the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India Reptile Rap (11): 5-15 - get paper here Vyas, Raju 2013. Snake diversity and voluntary rescue practice in the cities of Gujarat State, India: an evaluation Reptile Rap (15): 27-39 - get paper here Vyas, Raju; B.M. Parasharya &<br />J.J. Jani 2012. Herpetofaunal diversity in and around the selected man-made wetlands of central and northern Gujarat, India Reptile Rap (14): 21–26 - get paper here Wall, F. 1905. Notes on Snakes collected in Cannanore from 5th November 1903 to 5th August 1904. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 16: 292 - get paper here Wall, F. 1905. The Breeding of Russell's Viper (Vipera russellii). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 16: 374-375 - get paper here Wall, F. 1906. The poisonous snakes of India and how to recognize them, Part II. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 299-334 - get paper here Wall, F. 1907. A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part V. The Russell's Viper (Vipera russellii). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 18: 1-18 - get paper here Whitaker, Romulus<br />and Ashok Captain 2004. Snakes of India. Draco Books, 500 pp. - get paper here Winchell, S. 2003. Die vielfältige Welt chinesischer Schlangen. Reptilia (Münster) 8 (44): 20-29 - get paper here Winchell, S. 2003. The wide world of snakes in China. Reptilia (GB) (31): 12-21 - get paper here Wirth, M. 2011. TERRARIENSCHAUANLAGEN Das Paradies der Ungeliebten – der Reptilienzoo Scheidegg. Reptilia (Münster) 16 (88): 80 - get paper here Wüster, Wolfgang 1998. The genus Daboia (Serpentes: Viperidae): Russell's Viper Hamadryad 23 (1): 33-40 Wuster, Wolfgang, Satoko Otsuka, Anita Malhotra, and Roger S. Thorpe 1992. Population Systematics of Russell's Viper: A Multivariate Study. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 47 (1):97-113 - get paper here Wuster, Wolfgang; Otsuka, Satoko; Thorpe, Roger S.; Malhotra, Anita 1992. Morphological Variation in Russell's Viper in Burma and Thailand. Herpetological Journal 2 (3):99-101
External links	http://www.snakesoftaiwan.com/Start_Page_EN.htm http://www.calacademy.org/research/herpetology/myanmar/checklist_snakes.html http://www.kingsnake.com/viperidae/images/photos.htm http://www.aircav.com/survival/appe/asappe20.html http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/512x768/0000_0000/0808/1022.jpeg Google images Profile of Daboia russelii on Reptarium

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