Jump to content

Many-banded krait: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
DendroNaja (talk | contribs)
1,594 edits
Expanding article; just the entry and etymology will be expanding further (edited with ProveIt)
Line 14: Line 14:
| familia = [[Elapidae]]
| familia = [[Elapidae]]
| genus = ''[[Bungarus]]''
| genus = ''[[Bungarus]]''
| genus_authority = ''[[François Marie Daudin|Daudinl]]'', 1803<ref name="ITIS1">{{ITIS|id=700207|taxon=''Bungarus''|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref>
| species = '''''B. multicinctus'''''
| species = '''''B. multicinctus'''''
| binomial = ''Bungarus multicinctus''
| binomial = ''Bungarus multicinctus''
| binomial_authority = [[Edward Blyth|Blyth]], 1861
| binomial_authority = [[Edward Blyth|Blyth]], 1861<ref name="ITIS2">{{ITIS|id=700463|taxon=''Bungarus multicinctus''|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref>
}}
}}
The '''Many-banded krait''' (''Bungarus multicinctus''), also known as the '''Taiwanese krait''' or the '''Chinese krait''', is a highly venomous [[species]] of [[elapid]] snake found in throughout much of central and southern [[People's Republic of China|China]] and [[Southeast Asia]].<ref name="ct"/> The species was first described by the [[scientist]] [[François Marie Daudin]] in 1861.<ref name="ITIS1"/><ref name=Blythe>{{cite journal|last=Blythe|first=E/|title=Proceedings of the Society. Report of the Curator.|journal=The journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.|year=1860|volume=29|issue=1|pages=98|url=http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/114409#page/116/mode/1up|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> This species has a known subspecies, ''Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi''.<ref name="ITIS3">{{ITIS|id=701423 |taxon=''Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi''|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> The many-banded krait mostly inhabits marshy areas throughout it's geographical distribution, though it does flourish in other habitat types.<ref name=IUCN/>
The '''many-banded krait''' ('''''Bungarus multicinctus'''''), also known as the '''Taiwanese krait''' or the '''Chinese krait''', is a [[species]] of [[elapid]] snake found in Asia.<ref name="ct"/>

Based on the research of Ernst & Zug et al. (1996), this species of snake is the most venomous terrestrial snake in all of [[Asia]] and the 7th most venomous snake species on earth. The only other terrestrial species that ranked above the many-banded krait were the [[Inland taipan]], the [[Eastern brown snake]], the [[Black mamba]].<ref name="ErZug">{{cite book|last= Zug|first= George R.|title= Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book |year= 1996|publisher= Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press |location= Washington D.C., USA|isbn= 1-56098-648-4}}</ref> The many-banded krait garnered worldwide attention after a juvenile specimen bit and killed Dr. Joe Slowinski in 2001.<ref name=JJ>{{cite book|last=James|first=Jamie|title=The Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge|year=2008|publisher=Hyperion|isbn=978-1-40-130213-9}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Since the species' description by [[zoologist]] and [[pharmacist]], [[Edward Blyth]] in 1861,''Bungarus multicinctus'' has been the [[Binomial nomenclature|binomial]] of the species. The [[genus|generic name], ''Bungarus'', (Bungarum) is derived from either the [[Hindi]] ('''करैत''' karait), which means "black" or perhaps from the [[Sanskrit]] word ('''कृष्ण''' kāla), which also means "black".<ref name="Bun-K">{{cite web | url=http://www.yourdictionary.com/krait | title=Krait - Bungarus | publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. | work=The American Heritage Dictionary | accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref> The [[Species|specific name]] ''multicinctus'' is split first into the word "multi-", which is a prefix derived form the [[Latin]] (multus) meaning "much, many".<ref name=multi>{{cite web|last=Harper|first=Douglas|title=multi-|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=multi-|work=The American Heritage Dictionary|publisher=Chester County Historical Society|accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref> The second part of the word "cinctus" is derived from the [[Latin]] word (cinctura) which means "a girdle", from (cinctus), past participle of (cingere), which means "to surround, encircle" - as in a "band".<ref name=cinctus>{{cite web|last=Harper|first=Douglas|title=Cincture|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cincture|work=Online Etymology Dictionary|publisher=Chester County Historical Society|accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref> The species' (''Bungarus multicinctus'') full name literally means "black-banded".


==Geographic range and habitat==
==Geographic range and habitat==

Revision as of 02:23, 5 January 2014

Many-banded krait
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Squamata
Suborder:
Serpentes
Family:
Elapidae
Genus:
Bungarus

Species:
B. multicinctus
Binomial name
Bungarus multicinctus
Blyth, 1861[3]

The Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), also known as the Taiwanese krait or the Chinese krait, is a highly venomous species of elapid snake found in throughout much of central and southern China and Southeast Asia.[4] The species was first described by the scientist François Marie Daudin in 1861.[2][5] This species has a known subspecies, Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi.[6] The many-banded krait mostly inhabits marshy areas throughout it's geographical distribution, though it does flourish in other habitat types.[1]

Based on the research of Ernst & Zug et al. (1996), this species of snake is the most venomous terrestrial snake in all of Asia and the 7th most venomous snake species on earth. The only other terrestrial species that ranked above the many-banded krait were the Inland taipan, the Eastern brown snake, the Black mamba.[7] The many-banded krait garnered worldwide attention after a juvenile specimen bit and killed Dr. Joe Slowinski in 2001.[8]

Etymology

Since the species' description by zoologist and pharmacist, Edward Blyth in 1861,Bungarus multicinctus has been the binomial of the species. The [[genus|generic name], Bungarus, (Bungarum) is derived from either the Hindi (करैत karait), which means "black" or perhaps from the Sanskrit word (कृष्ण kāla), which also means "black".[9] The specific name multicinctus is split first into the word "multi-", which is a prefix derived form the Latin (multus) meaning "much, many".[10] The second part of the word "cinctus" is derived from the Latin word (cinctura) which means "a girdle", from (cinctus), past participle of (cingere), which means "to surround, encircle" - as in a "band".[11] The species' (Bungarus multicinctus) full name literally means "black-banded".

Geographic range and habitat

It is found in Taiwan, Northern Philippines and Batanes islands, mainland China, Burma, Laos and Northern Vietnam, and Con Dao Islands Vietnam.[4][12][13] This species can be found in elevations up to about 1,300 m (4,300 ft), though they are more commonly found in low areas, especially in shrublands, woodlands, agricultural fields, and mangroves.[13]

Description

The many-banded krait is a medium to large-sized snake, averaging about 1 to 1.5 m (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length with a maximum of 1.85 m (6.1 ft).[12] This snake has black with alternating and clear-cut black and white cross bands throughout the body, with the black bands being wider than the white bands. The body has a high vertebral ridge. Juveniles usually have a white mark on their heads.

Scalation

Dorsal scales in 15 rows; ventral scales 200-231 in males, 198-227 in females; tail short and tapering; subcaudal scales single (undivided), 43-54 in males, 37-55 in females.[13]

Behaviour

The snake is nocturnal. In the daytime, it hides under stones or in holes. The snake appears from April and retreats into hibernation in November.[12] The many-banded krait usually feeds on other snakes (for example small water snakes or even smaller members of its own species), as well as rodents, eels, frogs, and occasionally lizards.[13]

This species is usually timid in nature, especially in the hours of daylight, but is more prone to bite at night if provoked or disturbed. Individuals often thrash wildly when caught.[12][13]

Reproduction

These snakes are oviparous. Females deposit three to 15 (maximum 20) eggs around June. Eggs usually hatch about a month and a half later. Juveniles are usually 0.2—0.27 cm in length.[12]

Danger

Venom and toxins

The venom of the many-banded krait consists of both pre- and postsynaptic neurotoxins (known as α-bungarotoxins and β-bungarotoxins, among others). The average venom yield from specimens kept on snake farms is about 4.6 mg[4]—18.4 mg[12] per bite. The venom is highly toxic with LD50 values of 0.09 mg/kg[12]—0.108 mg/kg[14][15]SC, 0.113 mg/kg IV and 0.08 mg/kg IP on mice.[15][14] Based on several LD50 studies, the many-banded krait is among the most venomous land snakes in the world.[15][7]

α-Bungarotoxin is important for neuromuscular histology, it is known to bind irreversibly to receptors of the neuromuscular junction, and can be labelled with fluorescent proteins such as green fluorescent protein or the rhodamine dye tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate.[16]

Clinical symptoms

The local symptoms of victims bitten by the many-banded krait are usually neither serious swelling nor pain; the victims merely feel slightly itchy and numb. Systemic symptoms occur, in general, one to four hours after being bitten by this snake. Symptoms may include discomfort in the chest, general ache, weak feeling in limbs, ataxia, glossolysis, loss of voice, swallowing paralysis, tunnel vision, and difficult breathing. In case of serious bite, suppression of breathing may occur, leading to death.[12]

The untreated, mortality rate caused by the bites of this species varies among different studies, ranging from 20-30%[4] to 77-100%.[17]During the Vietnam War, American soldiers referred to the many-banded krait as the “two-step snake,” in the mistaken belief that it's venom is so lethal, if bitten, you will die after taking just two steps.[18]

In 2001, a snake of this species was responsible for the death of herpetologist Joseph Bruno Slowinski.[19]

Gallery

  • A many-banded krait found in Taiwan
    A many-banded krait found in Taiwan

References

  1. ^ a b Template:IUCN
  2. ^ a b "Bungarus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Bungarus multicinctus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d "WCH Clinical Toxinology - Bungarus multicinctus". University of Adelaide. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. ^ Blythe, E/ (1860). "Proceedings of the Society. Report of the Curator". The journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 29 (1): 98. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  7. ^ a b Zug, George R. (1996). Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book. Washington D.C., USA: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press. ISBN 1-56098-648-4. Cite error: The named reference "ErZug" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ James, Jamie (2008). The Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge. Hyperion. ISBN 978-1-40-130213-9.
  9. ^ "Krait - Bungarus". The American Heritage Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  10. ^ Harper, Douglas. "multi-". The American Heritage Dictionary. Chester County Historical Society. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  11. ^ Harper, Douglas. "Cincture". Online Etymology Dictionary. Chester County Historical Society. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Snake of medical importance. Singapore: Venom and toxins research group. ISBN 9971-62-217-3.
  13. ^ a b c d e Venomous Land Snakes,Dr.Willott. Cosmos Books Ltd. ISBN 988-211-326-5.
  14. ^ a b Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry. "LD50 menu (Archived)".
  15. ^ a b c Séan Thomas & Eugene Griessel – Dec 1999. "LD50 (Archived)".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Anderson, MJ (March 1974). "Fluorescent staining of acetylcholine receptors in vertebrate skeletal muscle". The Journal of physiology. 237 (2): 385–400. PMC 1350889. PMID 4133039. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ White; Meier, Julian; Jurg (1995). Handbook of clinical toxicology of animal venoms and poisons. CRC Press. pp. 493–588. ISBN 978-0-84-934489-3. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ James, J. (2008)"The Snake Charmer: a Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge" http://snakecharmerbook.com/excerpt.html accessed date= 30 November 2013
  19. ^ IN MEMORY OF Joseph B. Slowinski at Natural History Museum
  • Blyth, E. 1861. Proceedings of the Society, Report of the Curator. Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal 29(1860):87-115.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Many-banded_krait&oldid=589229091"