| Micrurus spixii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. spixii |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus spixii Wagler, 1824 | |
 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Micrurus spixii, also known commonly as the Amazon coral snake or the Amazonian coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northern South America.[2]
Etymology
The specific name, spixii, is in honor of German biologist Johann Baptist von Spix.[3]: 250
Description
Adults of Micrurus spixii usually have a total length (tail included) of 0.8–1.2 m (2.6–3.9 ft). The color pattern consists of triads of black rings enclosing lighter rings of white, yellow, or greenish gray. The triads are separated by red rings. The black rings are the narrowest, and the red rings are the fewest.[4]: 215
Geographic distribution
Micrurus spixii is found in Bolivia, northwestern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Micrurus spixii are forest and savanna, at elevations from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft).[1]
Behavior
Micrurus spixii is terrestrial, foraging in the leaf litter of the forest or savanna.[1]
Diet
Micrurus spixii preys upon long-bodied reptiles such as snakes, amphisbaenians, and some species of lizards.[1]
Reproduction
Mimicry
Micrurus spixii is mimicked by Simophis rhinostoma.[2]
Taxonomy
Micrurus spixii is the type species of the genus Micrurus.[2]
References
- Ines Hladki, A.; Ramírez Pinilla, M.; Renjifo, J.; Urbina, N.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Hoogmoed, M.S.; Gonzales, L. (2019). "Micrurus spixii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T44582072A44582077. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T44582072A44582077.en. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- "Micrurus spixii ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
- 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.
Further reading
- Boulenger, G.A. (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III. Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ), Amblycephalidæ, and Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I–XXV. (Elaps spixii, p. 427).
- Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. 189 pp. (Micrurus spixii, p. 116).
- Nascimento, L.R.S.; Silva, N.J. Jr.; Feitosa, D.T.; Prudente, A.L.C. (2019). "Taxonomy of the Micrurus spixii species complex (Serpentes, Elapidae)". Zootaxa. 4668 (1): 370–392.
- Wagler, J. (1824). "Serpentum Brasiliensum species novae ou histoire naturelle des espèces nouvelles de serpens, recueillies et observées pendant le voyage dans l'intérieur du Brésil dans les années 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, exécuté par ordre de sa Majesté le Roi de Baviére". viii + 75 pp. + Plates I–XXVI. In: Spix, J. (1824). Animalia nova sive species novae.... Munich: F.S. Hübschmann. (Micrurus spixii, new species, pp. 48–49 + Plate XVIII). (in Latin and French).