''Macrelaps'' (or
Natal
NATAL or Natal may refer to:
Places
* Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a city in Brazil
* Natal, South Africa (disambiguation), a region in South Africa
** Natalia Republic, a former country (1839–1843)
** Colony of Natal, a former British colony ( ...
black snake)
is a
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
created for the rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous)
venomous snake
Venomous snakes are Species (biology), species of the Suborder (biology), suborder Snake, Serpentes that are capable of producing Snake venom, venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The v ...
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
, ''M. microlepidotus'',
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. No
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
are currently recognized.
Description (diagnosis) of genus
Maxillary short, with four moderately large teeth, followed by a very large grooved fang situated below the eye. Anterior mandibular teeth enlarged, third to fifth longest. Head small, not distinct from neck. Eye minute, with round pupil. Nasal divided. No loreal. No preocular. Prefrontal entering the eye. Body cylindrical; tail short. Dorsal scales smooth, without pits, in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals rounded; subcaudals single.
Description of species
''Macrelaps microlepidotus'' is completely black dorsally and ventrally.
It may attain in total length, with a tail long.
Smooth dorsal scales arranged in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals 163–166; anal plate entire; subcaudals 37–48, also entire.
Portion of rostral visible from above nearly half as long as its distance from the frontal. Internasals shorter than the prefrontals. Frontal as long as broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout, much shorter than the parietals. One small postocular. Temporals 1+2. Seven upper labials, third and fourth entering the eye, fifth largest. Three or four lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shield. Anterior chin shields a little longer than the posterior chin shields.
See also
*
Snakebite
A snakebite is an injury caused by the bite of a snake, especially a venomous snake. A common sign of a bite from a venomous snake is the presence of two puncture wounds from the animal's fangs. Sometimes venom injection from the bite may occu ...
References
*
Günther, A. 1860. ''Description of'' Uriëchis microlepidotus, ''a new Snake from South Africa''. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (3)5:168-170, plate IX.
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q11765814
Atractaspididae
Reptiles of South Africa
Snake genera
Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger