Snake Research Articles

Morphological variation of the newly confirmed population of the javelin sand boa, Eryx jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes, erycidae) in Sicily, Italy

The presence of the Javelin sand boa in Sicily has recently been confirmed. Here the morphological characters and sexual dimorphism of the Sicilian population of Eryx jaculus are presented. Seven meristic and six metric characters in 96 specimens from Sicily were examined. The results show that tail length, snout-vent length, the distance between nostrils and the number of ventral and subcaudal scales are different between sexes. The characters found in the Sicilian population of the Javelin sand boa resemble those of the African population (ssp. jaculus) rather than the Eurasian population (ssp. turcicus), but biomolecular studies are necessary to understand its taxonomic identity.

A Study of Acute Poisoning Cases Admitted to the National Poisoning Center

Objectives: There is a necessity to study the pattern of poisoning of patients who visited national poisoning centers to take up appropriate management and prevention techniques. Methods: This study includes all cases of human poisoning exposures (11181 poisoning cases) presenting to the national poisoning center, Cairo, from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016. The data were statistically analyzed to assess a correlation for a gender, age, agents and poisoning type. Results: It was found that 24% of patients were younger than 4 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.6:1. Therapeutic drugs (68%) were the most common cause of poisoning followed by a household product (13%), pesticides (9%), and abuse agents (5%), bites of snakes and scorpions (3%) and food poisoning (1%). Detailed information on groups of pharmaceuticals and the most frequent agents causing poisonings was presented. Analgesics (24%) and central nervous system agents (21%) were the most common therapeutic pharmaceutical poisons. Synthetic opioid; tramadol (45%) was the most common abuse agent. Accidental poisoning of abuse agents in children younger than 4 years represented 20.4 % of the abuse agents poisoning cases. The mortality rate for the patients was 0.3% (32 patients). Conclusion: The prevention of medicinal poisoning should merit high priority in the education interventions and preventive efforts. An important concern toward drugs and abuse agents’ availability at homes within the reach of children should be raised. The most risk factors of poisoning are female gender and young age patients.

“The Snake” equally modulates both brown and brightness

“The Snake” equally modulates both brown and brightness

Veine de marbre et veine poétique: Clésinger, Baudelaire et la chair de la Présidente

Apollonie Sabatier, surnommée « la Présidente », a servi de modèle, entre autres, à la statue de la Femme piquée par un serpent de Clésinger, et inspiré le poème « À celle qui est trop gaie » de Baudelaire, deux œuvres jugées scandaleuses lors de leur exposition et publication. La statue de Clésinger a ainsi donné lieu à un âpre débat dans la presse en 1847, alors que le poème de Baudelaire a été censuré à la suite du procès des Fleurs du Mal en 1857. Or, les scandales suscités par ces œuvres présentent des analogies frappantes: le sculpteur et le poète sont accusés d'avoir transgressé les frontières de leurs arts respectifs, en contaminant leurs œuvres avec la chair du modèle. Cet article examine, à la lumière du débat critique et des actes du procès, comment ces œuvres, qui ont préfiguré, bien malgré elles, la querelle du réalisme, thématisent cette contamination de l'art par la chair, tout en la dissimulant.

Traditional use and scientific investigations of the medicinal plant Simaba cedron Planch.

Simaba cedron Planch (Simaroubaceae) has frequently been reported as a traditional remedy against snake bites, malaria, gastrointestinal and other disorders. Starting in the 18th century, European physicians and researchers made several efforts to verify the reported virtues and to isolate active principles. Most important achievements are reviewed her. From modern investigations, an anti-malarial activity seems plausible due to the quassinoids contained. An effect against snake-bites seems questionable, research about the usefulness against gastrointestinal disorders, which is also reported, is missing. Other Simaroubaceae, however, are under current investigation now.

New Polychromatic Species of Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Eastern Portion of the Colombian Andes

We describe herein a new polychromatic species of the snake genus Atractus from the cloud forests of the northeastern Andes of Colombia. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by having an exclusive combination of phenotypic characters, such as: dorsal scale rows 17, loreal long, seven to ten maxillary teeth, ventrals 156–174 in females and 153–169 in males, subcaudals 20–30 in females and 23–30 in males, dorsum with variable coloration, changing from dark green to orange or red with a black nuchal band (three to four scales long) connected to a black vertebral line and two black dorsolateral continuous stripes from the occipital region to tip of the tail, venter with irregular black blotches, relatively small body size, small tail length in females and moderately long in males, hemipenis moderately bilobed, semicapitate and semicalyculate. We compared the new species with all congeners occurring along the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia, Sierra de Perija in the Colombia/Venezuela frontier and Cordillera de Merida in Venezuela. We discussed aspects related to polychromatism and its implication toward a robust taxonomy for the genus Atractus.Describimos una nueva especie de serpiente policromatica del genero Atractus para los bosques nublados del noreste de los Andes de Colombia. La nueva especie se distingue de todos los congeneres por tener una combinacion exclusiva de caracteres fenotipicos, como: escamas dorsales en 17 hileras, loreales largas, siete a diez dientes maxilares, ventrales 156–174 en hembras y 153–169 en machos, subcaudales 20–30 en hembras y 23–30 en machos, dorso con coloracion variable, cambiando de verde oscuro a naranja o rojo con una banda nucal negra (largo de tres o cuatro escamas) conectada a una linea vertebral negra y dos franjas continuas dorsolaterales negras desde la region occipital hasta la punta de la cola, superficie ventral del cuerpo con manchas irregulares negras, tamano corporal relativamente pequeno, longitud de la cola pequena en las hembras y moderadamente larga en los machos, hemipene moderadamente bilobado, semicapitado y semicaliculado. Comparamos las nuevas especies con todos los congeneres que ocurren a lo largo de la Cordillera Oriental en Colombia, Sierra de Perija en la frontera de Colombia/Venezuela y la Cordillera de Merida en Venezuela. Discutimos aspectos relacionados con el policromatismo y su implicacion hacia una taxonomia solida para el genero Atractus.

Does color polymorphism affect the predation risk on Phalotris lemniscatus (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854) (Serpentes, Dipsadidae)?

The snake Phalotris lemniscatus is a polymorphic species regarding color, which varies between light shades with a yellow predominance (pale yellow-brown) to darker shades with a red predominance (red-dark). Pale yellow-brown individuals are more frequent in coastal populations while there is a tendency of increasing the frequency of red-dark morphs in inland areas. Considering the variation in substrate color along the species distribution (light/sandy on the coast to reddish and dark/argillaceous in inland areas), we raise the hypothesis that the predation rate of each morph would be lower in sites were its crypsis potential is higher. If correct, this hypothesis would reinforce the idea that the predation risk is one of the factors influencing the spatial structuring in morph frequency distributions in populations of P. lemniscatus . To test this hypothesis, we performed a field experiment using plasticine P. lemniscatus artificial models that represent two morphs: red-dark and pale yellow-brown. The models were distributed in three localities where the following substrate types predominate: light (Coastal Site), intermediary (Lowland Site) and reddish dark (Highland Site). Our predictions were corroborated only at the coastal site, where the less cryptic morph was the most preyed one. We verified that there is a regional variation in the predation risk on different morphs. Thus, the possibility that the selective pressure by predators is a relevant element in the structuring of the frequencies of different morph populations of this species cannot be completely excluded.

New New Records of Snakes (Reptilia: Squamata: Serpentes) from Lai Chau Province, Vietnam

Based on recently herpetological collection from Sin Ho forest between 2017 to 2018, we herein report five new records of snakes from Lai Chau Province, comprising Dendrelaphis pictus (Colubridae), Bungarus multicinctus (Elapidae), Hebius chapaensis (Natricidae), Pareas carinatus (Pareatidae), and Ovophis monticola (Viperidae). Our findings brought the total number of snakes species recorded from Lai Chau province up to 26. We also provide additional information about morphology and natural history of the afore mentioned species.
 Keywords
 Colubridae, Elapidae, Natricidae, New records, Pareatidae, Sin Ho District, Viperidae
 References
 [1] Ủy Ban nhân tỉnh Lai Châu, 2018, Công thông tin điện tử (http://http://sinho.laichau.gov.vn), cập nhật ngày 6/1/2019.[2] Nguyen, S. V., Ho, C. T. & Nguyen, T. Q., Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 2009.[3] Ziegler, T., Ngo, N. H., Pham, V. A., Nguyen, T. T., Le, D. M. & Nguyen, Q. T., A new species of Parafimbrios from northern Vietnam(Squamata: Xenodermatidae), Zootaxa 4527(2) (2018): 269–276.[4] Bourret, R., Les serpents de l'Indochine. H. Dasuyau, Toulouse, Vol. 1 and 2, 141+505pp, 1936.[5] Smith, M. A., The fauna of Bistish india, Ceylon and Burma, reptilia and Amphibia. Vol III. Serpentes, 1943.[6] Ziegler, T. & Vogel, G., On the knowledge and specific status of Dendrelaphis ngansonensis (Bourret, 1935) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae), Russian Journal of Herpetology, 6(3) (1999): 199–208.[7] Nguyễn Văn Sáng, Động vật chí Việt Nam (Phân bộ Rắn), Tập 4, Nxb Khoa học và Kỹ thuật, Hà Nội, 2007.[8] Phạm Văn Anh, Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc, Nguyễn Thị Mến, Nguyễn Lân Hùng Sơn, Nguyễn Quảng Trường, Ghi nhận mới về sự phân bố của một số loài rắn (Squamata: Serpentes) ở tỉnh Sơn La, Báo cáo khoa học, Kỷ yếu hội nghị toàn quốc về Sinh thái và Tài nguyên sinh vật lần thứ 5 (2013): 461–467.[9] Ren, J-L., Wang, K., Nguyen, T. T., Hoang, V. C., Zhong, G-H., Jiang, K., Guo, P., Li, J-T., Taxonomic re-evaluation of the monotypic genus Pararhabdophis Bourret, 1934 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) with discovery of its type species, P. chapaensis, from China, Zootaxa 4486 (1) (2018): 031–056.[10] Bourret, R., Notes herpétologiques sur l'Indochine Française I. Ophidiens de Chapa. Bull. Gen. Instr. Pub. Hanoi 7 (March 1934): 129-138. [11] Guo, K. & Xuejiang, D., A new species of Pareas (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pareatinae) from the Gaoligong Mountains, southwestern China, Zootaxa 2008 (2009): 53–60.[12] Malhotra, A., Dawson, K., Guo, P. & S. Thorpe, S. R., Phylogenetic structure and species boundaries in the mountain pitviper Ovophis monticola (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) in Asia, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 59 (2) (2011): 444–457.

The easternmost distribution and highest elevation record of the rare Desert Cat Snake Telescopus rhinopoma (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Pakistan

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Identification of land use and occupation by morphometric characterization and field survey of watershed of snakes river

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo diagnosticar el uso y la ocupacion del suelo y el area de preservacion permanente en la cuenca del rio das Cobras, utilizando tecnicas de geoprocesamiento. Esta cuenca tiene un area de 617,20 km² ubicada en los municipios de Nova Laranjeiras - PR, Espigao Alto Iguacu - PR y Quedas do Iguacu - PR, su rio principal desemboca en el rio Iguacu. Ademas de los municipios, esta area esta ocupada por comunidades indigenas, campesinos y por la agricultura intensiva, por lo que se tiene un gran interes en su estudo.

Epidemiological analysis of snakebite victims in southwestern Iran

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of snakebites and associated epidemiologic factors in Khorram-shahr County, Iran, between 2013 and 2017. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. Information was collected and recorded via questionnaires. Snakebite data included gender, age, occurrence regions, bite site, time of being bitten, month and season. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and t-tests with SPSS version 18. Results: A total of 102 cases of snakebites occurred in Khorram-shahr County of Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. There were 75 men (73.5%) and 27 women (26.4%), without significant difference in incidence. The highest frequency of snakebites was observed in the age group of 41-50 years with 28 cases (27.4%). In total, 58 cases (56.9%) occurred in urban areas and 44 cases (43.1%) in rural areas. No statistically significant difference was observed between the age groups or residential areas. Snakebites occurred in May with 19 cases (18.6%), spring with 45 (44.1%) and summer with 45 (44.1%). The results showed significant difference among different seasons and months of the year. Snakebites were in feet in 62 cases (60.8%) and hands in 36 cases (35.3%) which were bitten more than other organs, respectively, with significant difference among different bite sites in the body. The highest and lowest frequencies of snakebites were observed between 18:00 and 24:00 with 43 cases (42.2%) and between 6:00 and 12:00 with 14 cases (13.7%), with a significant difference among different hours of the day. Conclusions: Useful information about snakebites, venomous snakes, their hazards, prevention of bites and the importance of early hospital referral and treatment of victims should be provided to people using different educational tools.

Helminths infecting the black false boa Pseudoboa nigra (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil

Knowledge about endoparasites of snakes is essential to understand the ecology of both parasites and hosts. Herein, we present information on helminths parasitizing the black false boa Pseudoboa nigra in northeastern Brazil. We examined 32 specimens from five Brazilian states (Ceara, Piaui, Pernambuco, Maranhao and Rio Grande do Norte). We found six helminths taxa: two acanthocephalans ( Acanthocephalus sp. and Oligacanthorhychus sp.), three nematodes ( Hexametra boddaertii, Physaloptera sp. and Physalopteroides venancioi ), and one cestode ( Ophiotaenia sp . ). All parasites are reported for the first time infecting P. nigra , providing relevant information on infection patterns in this snake.

Radioiodination of a natural toxin (ICD-85) for fighting cancer

Introduction: Many molecules can be labeled by iodine. Some of labeled substances are used for investigations of cancer treatment, biodistribution study in body, receptor binding, secrete pathway etc. Peptides are biomolecules and can be labeled by 131Iodine. ICD- 85 is a tri-peptide derived from Iranian brown snake venom and scorpion venom. This tri-peptide treats cancer by inducing apoptosis. In this study, radioiodination and normal mice biodistribution of ICD-85 was performed by different values of Chloramine-T. Materials and Methods: This tri-peptide isolated from snake and yellow scorpion venom by HPLC and gel chromatography. Labeling with iodine-131 was done by Chloramine-T method. The reaction was performed by different values of chloramine T. The values 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 micrograms were chosen for this radiolabelling. Stability of labeled tripeptide was investigated in phosphate buffer saline for one day. Biodistribution study was studied in normal mice. Results: The results show that, the use of 20 micrograms of Chloramine-T leads to radiochemical purity of more than 45 percent. The stability of labeled compound was considerable (more than 40%) after 24 hours. Biodistriution study in normal mice show that, the liver is organ of target. Conclusion: The natural toxins such as snake and scorpion venoms can be labeled with radionuclides and used as cancer treatment agent.

Radiolabeling the Peptides extracted from Scorpion venom (ICD-85) with 99mTc as treatment and imaging agent for cancer

Introduction: Venoms are a mixture of proteins and peptides which can be used for fighting cancers. They can affect the exposed fibers and the muscles directly or through motor nerves, causing neuromuscular intoxication. ICD-85 is a combination of three poly-peptides derived from the venoms of an Iranian brown snake and a yellow scorpion. Materials and Methods: Technetium-99m was obtained from a 99Mo/99mTc generator. Venom (ICD-85) was provided by Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute of Iran. Labeling of this venom was achieved with Technetium-99m. Labeled ICD-85 was injected into mice to determine the organ targets and excretion pathway. Results: Results show that the radiolabeling yield of the radio-venom is acceptable. The biodistribution study shows that the organs of liver, kidney and tumor are the targets of ICD venom. Also moderate clearance of the complex from blood was seen. Conclusion: The results suggest that 99mTc radiolabeling of venom (ICD-85) may be a good tool for in-vivo studies and is an excellent approach to follow the process of biodistribution and kinetics of toxins for cancer imaging and treatment.

Cognition in Action: Goethe’s Märchen

ABSTRACTThis essay explores the role of physical movement and sensation in Goethe’s Marchen, with particular emphasis on the figure of the snake. Movement is essential to the moral resolution of the tale, and the depiction of movement to the inspiration of the reader. Cognitive approaches are deployed to tease out the symbolic significance of the depiction of embodied life in the text and, moreover, to give a more detailed understanding of the effects of the piece on the reader. The article also traces in brief the lineage of modern cognitive approaches, with a particular focus on eighteenth-century aesthetics.

Are burrowing snakes digging their own evolutionary grave?

Are burrowing snakes digging their own evolutionary grave?

Two New Blind Snake Species of the GenusLiotyphlops(Serpentes: Anomalepididae), from Central and South Brazil

Two new species of Liotyphlops are described from Brazil, one from the Cerrado Biome in central Brazil and the other from the Atlantic Rainforest Biome in south Brazil. The new species are mainly diagnosed by the arrangement of cephalic scales and bones and counts of body scales. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) was used to present data on the skull of the holotypes. In addition, meristic characters for all species of Liotyphlops are presented in comparison to the new species. Duas novas especies de Liotyphlops sao descritas do Brasil, uma do Bioma Cerrado no Brasil central e outra do Bioma Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil. As novas especies sao diagnosticadas principalmente pelo arranjo de escamas e ossos cefalicos e contagens de escamas corporais. Tomografia computadorizada de raios X de alta resolucao (HRXCT) foi utilizada para apresentar dados do crânio dos holotipos. Alem disso, caracteres meristicos para todas as especies de Liotyphlops sao apresentados em comparacao com as novas esp...

World’s oldest baby snake found preserved in amber

World’s oldest baby snake found preserved in amber

APPROPRIATE UTILIZATION AND STOCKING OF ANTIDOTES IN QATAR PUBLIC HOSPITALS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

BackgroundFew studies evaluating preparedness and availability of antidotes in the emergency setting exist and none have been conducted in Qatar. To address this; we conducted a study to evaluate antidote stocking and utilization in Qatar hospital pharmacies and emergency departments. MethodsOur aim was: 1) evaluate the appropriate use and timely administration of antidotes, and; 2) evaluate stocking of the 31 most important antidotes our main public hospitals. For the evaluation of the first aim; research assistants prospectively collected data on ED patients who received any key antidote over the 6-month study period using both ED and pharmacy records. For the second aim; survey assessing stocking of these key antidotes was sent to the four general hospitals in Qatar to determine their availability and whether they are stocked in the ED or only in the main pharmacy.ResultsPoison exposure in 471 cases were evaluated. Antidotes were given within 30 minutes in 73% of cases, which included atropine, calcium, dextrose, flumazenil, naloxone, pralidoxime, sodium bicarbonate, thiamine, vitamin K and scorpion and snake antivenoms. Administration occurred later than 60 minutes in 2% of cases, exclusively with N-acetylecysteine and activated charcoal. Atropine,dextrose, naloxone, pralidoxime (2-PAM), sodium bicarbonate, and anti-venoms were clinically indicated 92% of the time they were ordered. N-acetylcysteine was indicated in only 51.5% of administrations. ConclusionOver 90% of antidotes were administered in less than 30 minutes. N-acetylcysteine administration was frequently delayed due to preparation outside of the ED. This delay of administration did not have any adverse effect on clinical management. Antidote stocking varied significantly between hospitals and antidotes necessary for cyanide and toxic alcohol poisoning were deficient in all public hospitals. The implication indicates the need for the development of national guidelines to standardize the stocking and administration of the antidotes among the country public hospitals.

On the type locality of Atractus paraguayensis Werner, 1924 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Atractus paraguayensis is a medium-sized snake distributed in northern Argentina, south-eastern Brazil and central and south of Paraguay. There are no precise locality of the type locality of this species, however this subject hasc been discussed in several works. In this contribution, we performed a historical investigation to restrict the type locality of A. paraguayensis . In this brief historical account, we provide the precise type locality Atractus paraguayensis , being the locality Bernal Cue, this also affect to the type locality of other snakes described from Paraguay.