Pseudechis butleri

Pseudechis butleri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Pseudechis
Species: P. butleri
Binomial name
Pseudechis butleri
L.A. Smith, 1982[1]


Pseudechis butleri is a species of venomous elapid snake endemic to Western Australia. It is a member of the Pseudechis genus, dangerously venomous snakes that can intimidate an opponent by raising the head and presenting a hood. This cobra-like threat display is supported by the ability to produce a very large amount of venom.

Common names

Common names for P. butleri include spotted mulga, Butler's snake, and Butler's black snake.

Description

Pseudechis butleri is similar to Pseudechis australis, the larger common mulga snake, which also occurs in its range. However, P. butleri is spotted and does not exceed a total length (including tail) of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). The snout to vent length (SVL) is up to 1.41 m (4.6 ft). The dorsum of the body is speckled with black, but is mainly covered in yellow or brownish scales with black edges.

Geographic range & habitat

The distribution of the species is within the Murchison region of Western Australia, where it occurs in Acacia woodlands on stony and loamy soils, and occasionally amongst rocks.[2] Specimens of this West Australian endemic species have been recorded in Mullewa in the north, as far west as Leonora, and to the east near Laverton, all in Western Australia.[3]

Venom

The venom contains systemic myotoxins. Treatment for positive envenomation is the same as for P. australis, using a black snake antivenom.[4]

Etymology

The generic name, Pseudechis, suggests a similarity to the African-Asian vipers of the genus Echis. The specific epithet, butleri, commemorates Australian naturalist William Henry "Harry" Butler.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Smith LA. 1982. Variation in Pseudechis australis (Serpentes: Elapidae) in Western Australia and description of a new species of Pseudechis. Records of the Western Australian Museum 10 (1): 35-45.
  2. ↑ Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. pp. 259, 260. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6.
  3. ↑ "Distribution of Pseudechis butleri ". FaunaBase. Western Australian Museum. 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  4. ↑ "Pseudechis butleri ". Clinical Toxinology Resources. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  5. ↑ "Pseudechis". kingsnake.com. 1998. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  6. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Pseudechis butleri, p. 44).
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