Echis carinatus astolae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Echis |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | E. c. astolae
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Trinomial name | |
Echis carinatus astolae Mertens, 1970
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Synonyms[1] | |
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Echis carinatus astolae, known as the Astola saw-scaled viper,[2] is a viper subspecies[3] endemic to Astola Island off the coast of Pakistan.[1] Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
The color pattern consists of a series of dark brown dorsal blotches on a whitish background. Laterally, there are 1-3 rows of dark brown spots with no light arcs. On the head, there is a three-pronged, light mark directed towards the snout. From the temporals, a light lateral line meets at the frontal region, with a branch to the snout.[2]
Echis carinatus astolae is found only on Astola Island, off the coast of Makran, Pakistan.
The type locality is therefore the same: "Insel Astola, Makranküste, West-Pakistan" [Astola Island (25o 07' N; 63o 51' E) off the Makran coast, Pakistan].[1]