Moorish Viper, Daboia mauritanica (Gray, 1849) (Squamata, Viperidae), in Algeria: new provincial records, range extension, and an update on its distribution

By

Chedad, Abdelwahab
Bouam, Idriss
El Bouhissi, Mayssara
Dahmani, Walid
Ait Hammou, Mohamed
Mebarki, Mohammed Tahar
Mezzi, Mahmoud
Sadine, Salah Eddine

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-4-15

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

20

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

536--543

Subjects

Citizen science , North Africa , Reptile , Sahara

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/20.2.536

 

Abstract

 Daboia mauritanica (Gray, 1849), Moorish Viper, is native to North Africa. We update the distribution map for this species in Algeria, providing 19 new locality records, filling distribution gaps and significantly expanding the species’ known range. Our updated distribution map reveals a widespread presence of the species in northern Algeria, extending south into the northern Sahara. We note that some historical records in certain provinces remain unconfirmed and/or questionable, indicating the need for further investigation. Our findings underscore the importance of collaboration between researchers and citizen scientists in Algeria.