Crotalus peliculosa
| Inyurstan Stripe-necked Rattlesnake | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
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| Phylum: | Chordata
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| Class: | Reptilia
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| Order: | Squamata
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| Family: | Viperidae
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| Genus: | Crotalus
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| Species: | "C. peliculosa"
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| Binomial name | |
| Crotalus peliculosa Peron, 1784
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| Range of Crotalus peliculosa | |
The Inyurstan Stripe-necked Rattlesnake (Crotalus peliculosa), known in Inyurstan as the "Crotaléa" or sometimes as the "SNR by those familiar with local herpetofauna, is a medium-to-large sized species of pit viper found in coastal dry forests and grasslands of Inyursta.
Venom
The venom of C. peliculosa is the subject of much debate.
Juveniles are born with a primarily neurotoxic venom, consisting of PLA2s and some SVMPs. During the subadult phase, individuals undergo an ontogenetic shift in venom variance; adopting hemotoxic (Venom Profile A) and myotoxic components (Venom Profile B) as they approach sexual maturity. Neurotoxic components remain in the venom profile into adulthood. Historically, it was believed that the differences in venom were range-based; where the population west of the Straits of Arseilles had "Venom Profile A", and the population on Marindino had "Venom Profile B" (Ramirez & Guillardi, 1991; Roscal et al., 1985). This corresponded with the range of the Inyurstan Cottontail (east) and Ameripachan Lowland Agouti (west). However, recent venomics have shown that both venom profiles are present on both sides of the straits. Some particular populations, such as the study site at Rafael Santijour Reserve de Cassa, have demonstrated individuals with both venom profiles living along the same geographic feature.
Some, including Dr. Raoul Aristide and PhD candidate Marina DeRosin, have proposed an epigentic change as the method of venom profile determination. However, evidence of this theory has yet to be published.
In Humans
This species is considered one of the most deadly in Inyursta. SNRs deliver a large quantity of venom, which requires a high number vials of antivenin to treat. Historically, it was treated with the monovalent PelicuFAB NC2 antivenin; but has since been replaced on the market by AmeriFAB, CROAV (Crotaline Anti-Venom) and InViP (Inyurstan Viperid Polyvalent) multispecies-polyvalent. All modern antivenins are considered effective, though the AmeriFAB and InViP reportedly require more vials (35-45; 40-52 loading dose) to treat compared to CROAV (20-30 loading dose).
Snakebite victims display a wide variety of symptoms; including localized swelling, pain and blistering at the bite site and systemic effects such as hypotension and respiratory distress. Late-stage or terminal envenomations not treated with enough quantity (too little) or delayed administration (too late) may require ventiliation as the neurotoxic PLA2s induce respiratory paralysis. Sudden blood pressure drops paired with non-respiratory alpha-neurotoxins can also cause loss of consciousness and extreme impairment of limbs. Similarly, those who have suffered a bite from a myotoxic individual may suffer rhabdomyolysis and require dialysis shortly after discharge due to decaying muscle tissue impairing kidney function if a large loading dose is not administered in a timely manner.
Description
A large-sized species, C. peliculosa is the third-largest venomous snake in Inyursta, behind only two species of bushmaster. Overall, it is the third-largest non-Bushmaster species by body mass in La Ameripacha Libre. In terms of color, this species is noticible due to its vertical stripe just behind the neck and its light, plain-colored head. It has vibrant, dark-colored diamonds along the middle third to two-thirds of its body fading into broken diamonds or banding-like patterns. Rear-body patterns are more vibrant as juveniles but fade into adulthood. Eye color is a dark gold or grey, and ventral coloration is a white or pale cream color.
Females have shorter tails, typically 14-19 subcaudal count, whereas males typically have 22-25 subcaudals.
Holotype = Female specimen, 114cm TL, 101cm SVL, collected approximately 4km east of Larou by Peron during an expedition in 1784.
Habitat
Overall habitat selection is associated with open-canopy habitats, such as grasslands, scrub and post-agricultural meadows. C. peliculosa reaches its highest densities in "wet scrub", areas of thick, patchwork vegetation that receive heavy annual rainfall but are kept clear through fire or storm damage. It can also be found in areas of coastal dry forest or deciduous (rainy-dry season) forest with storm damage or seasonally moderate-to-low canopy cover. Soil selection can be variable, though this species is rarely found in rocky or deeply loamy soils.
Aristide et al. (2022) demonstrated that while this species is reliant on grasslands and scrublands, they often select for thicker forested or semi-forested areas on the edge of such open-canopy environments. Additionally, the researchers found that juveniles show much stronger selection for canopied habitats near to or within larger grassland systems, likely due to the higher occurrence of smaller prey items and less predation risk from birds and predatory mammals. Similar studies are planned for the mainland population.
Diet
Adult Stripe-necked Rattlesnakes feed primarily on either rabbits (lagomorphs) or Dasyproctidae|agoutis, largely dependent on their range. Juveniles, by contrast, exhibit a mixed diet of both small-rodents (typically Peromyscus|Deer mice and Ctenomys radixus and reptiles (mainly Polychrus lizards).
Conservation
The Crotaléa is considered Least Concern, and is not protected in most localities. It has seen some local extirpations, and become rare in other areas due to development, suppression of natural wildfires and direct human persecution. However, in other areas the species remains stable where it benefits from increased mammal populations using the edge of farmlands and the old-field habitat resulting from abandoned or direct agricultural pastures which mimic natural grasslands.
In spite of its listing and legal status, some species experts argue the species is in a more tenuous position than their current range & population numbers show. Some herpetologists have noticed a lack of detections of juvenile and subadult individuals in otherwise "healthy" populations, implying that reproductive success is lacking and the species may face trouble in the future.
See Also
Inyurstan Herpetofaunal Checklist Crotalus siccimontibus Crotalus adversus Crotalus paratapaisana Crotalus baudini