''Micrurus diana'', also known
commonly as Diana's coral snake, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), 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 ...
of
venomous snake
Venomous snakes are species of the suborder Serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The venom is typically delivered by injection using hollow or gr ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideall ...
Elapidae
Elapidae (, commonly known as elapids ; grc, ἔλλοψ ''éllops'' "sea-fish") is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydoceph ...
. The species is native to
South America.
Etymology
The
specific name, ''diana'', is dedicated to the goddess
Diana.
[ www.reptile-database.org.]
Geographic range
Specimens of ''M. diana'' have been identified in
Bolivia
, image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg
, flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center
, flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
(
Tucavaca Valley Municipal Reserve)
[ and Brazil (]Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso ( – lit. "Thick Bush") is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest by area, located in the Central-West region. The state has 1.66% of the Brazilian population and is responsible for 1.9% of the Brazilian GDP.
Neighboring ...
).[
]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat
In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...
of ''M. diana'' is undisturbed forest
A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...
, at altitudes of .[
]
Description
''M. diana'' has a color pattern of red, white, and black rings, which are arranged in triads. The snout and chin are white.[
]
Reproduction
''M. diana'' is oviparous
Oviparous animals are animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most fish, amphibians, most reptiles, and all pterosaurs, dinosaurs (including birds), and ...
.[
]
References
Further reading
* Harvey MB, Aparicio J, Gonzales L (2003). "Revision of the venomous snakes of Bolivia: Part 1. The coralsnakes (Elapidae: ''Micrurus''). ''Annals of Carnegie Museum'' 72: 1–52.
* Pires MG, Feitosa DT, Prudente ALC, Silva NJ Jr (2013). "First record of ''Micrurus diana'' Roze, 1983 (Serpentes: Elapidae) for Brazil and extension of its distribution in Bolivia, with notes on morphological variation". ''Check List'' 9 (6): 1556–1560.
* Roze JA (1983). "New World coral snakes (Elapidae): a taxonomic and biological summary ". ''Memórias do Instituto Butantan'' 46: 305–338. (''Micrurus frontalis diana'', new subspecies).
*Roze JA (1994). "Notes on taxonomy of venomous coral snakes (Elapidae) of South America". ''Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society'' 30: 177–185. (''Micrurus diana'', new status).
diana
Snakes of South America
Reptiles of Bolivia
Reptiles of Brazil
Reptiles described in 1983
{{Elapidae-stub