Echis pyramidum

Echis pyramidum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Echis
Species:
E. pyramidum
Binomial name
Echis pyramidum
Synonyms[2]
  • Scythale pyramidum
    Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire in Savigny, 1827
  • [Echis] arenicola F. Boie, 1827
  • Echis pavo Reuss, 1834
  • Echis varia Reuss, 1834
  • Vipera echis Schlegel, 1837
  • Vipera pyramidarum Schlegel, 1837
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] arenicola
    — Gray, 1849
  • Toxicoa arenicola — Günther, 1858
  • Echis carinatus
    — Boulenger, 1896 (part)
  • Echis carinatus pyramidum
    — Constable, 1949
  • Echis p[yramidum]. pyramidum
    — Cherlin, 1983
  • Echis pyramidum — Joger, 1984
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] pyramidum pyramidum — Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] pyramidum lucidus Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] varia varia
    — Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] varia borkini Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] varia darevskii Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis pyramidum pyramidum
    — Golay et al., 1993

Echis pyramidum, known as the Northeast African carpet viper,[3] Egyptian saw-scaled viper,[4] and by other common names, is a species of viper endemic to Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[5]

This species, along with the closely related Echis ocellatus (both of the Carpet viper species) cause the most cases of snakebite deaths in the world.[6] Two antivenoms are available to counteract snakebites from this species: Polyvalent Anti-viper Venom by VACSERA in Egypt and SAIMR Echis antivenom by South African Vaccine Producers.[7]

  1. ^ Joger, U.; Geniez, P.; Crochet, P-A.; Baha El Din, S. (2010). "Echis pyramidum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T178401A7539376. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178401A7539376.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. ^ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. ^ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  5. ^ "Echis pyramidum". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 August 2006.
  6. ^ "WHO | WHO issues new recommendation on antivenom for snakebites". WHO. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020.
  7. ^ "WHO Blood Products and related Biologicals Animal sera Antivenons frames page". apps.who.int. World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010.