{"id":3127,"date":"2020-01-18T17:22:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T17:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/?page_id=3127"},"modified":"2020-03-26T11:57:25","modified_gmt":"2020-03-26T11:57:25","slug":"macroprotodon_abubakeri","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/ficha\/macroprotodon_abubakeri\/","title":{"rendered":"Species page of Macroprotodon abubakeri"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Culebra de cogulla de Abubaker
\n<\/span>Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0Wade, 2001<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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By\u00a0Wouter Beukema<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Updated:\u00a026\/12\/2012<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Taxonomy:\u00a0Serpentes\u00a0|\u00a0Colubridae\u00a0|\u00a0Macroprotodon\u00a0|\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"Macroprotodon
Macroprotodon abubakeri. Morocco. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Range<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span><\/p>\n

Distribution map of
\nMacroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>
\nin Morocco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Gallery: 0 photos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Phylogenetic frame<\/h2>\n

Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0was described by Wade (2001), who partitioned this species from\u00a0M. brevis<\/span>\u00a0based on morphological analyses of museum specimens. Due to the fact that most of these specimens were collected in the late 19th- early 20th century, much remains unknown about\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>. While the general taxonomic situation of North African\u00a0Macroprotodon<\/span>\u00a0species currently remains ambiguous, the distinct identity of\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0was confirmed by Carranza\u00a0et al.<\/em>\u00a0(2004) on the basis of mtDNA data. According to these analyses, the clade currently assigned to\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0is well-separated from the clade containing all other\u00a0Macroprotodon<\/span>\u00a0species. Conclusively, both on morphological and mtDNA level\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0is a well-defined, but poorly known species.<\/p>\n

Description<\/h2>\n

A relatively small snake species, characterized by a head which is not well-separated from the body, and an upturned snout.\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0presents four maxillary teeth. Four posterior infralabials are present in the majority of specimens. Usually 19 dorsals. Ventrals differ between males (154-175) and females (172-185), as do subcaudals (respectively 46-53 vs. 42-52) (Wade, 2001).<\/p>\n

\n
\"Macroprotodon
Macroprotodon abubakeri. Morocco. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The dark nuchal collar is usually undivided. Postorbital streak is usually also undivided, in a way that it connects to the dark V-mark on the anterior of the head. Alternatively, individuals can show melanocephalism, in which a white streak can be present on the first 5 or so supralabials and another, oblique, occupying the upper part of the supralabials + the lower parts of the temporals extending from the eye to the corner of the mouth, or beyond (Wade, 2001).<\/p>\n

Dorsal colour is light to dark brown (grey in preserved specimens), usually interspersed by small dark spots or stripes. The underside is light coloured, but chequered with dark brown or black squares.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Macroprotodon
Chequered underside. Morocco. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0can be distinguished from\u00a0M. brevis<\/span>\u00a0by i) 4 posterior infralabials (vs. 3); ii) a lower amount of mid body scale rows (19 vs. 21-23); iii)\u00a04\u00a0maxillary teeth (vs.\u00a03); iv) postorbital streak usually connected to the \u2018arms\u2019 of the V-mark (vs. separated). The presence of a collar and lack of \u2018textilis\u2019 pattern distinguish\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0from\u00a0M.\u00a0cucullatus<\/span>\u00a0which occurs south of the distribution of the former in Morocco.<\/p>\n

Ecology and habits<\/h2>\n

Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0is a terrestrial species, which leads a cryptic life by spending considerable time under stones or other suitable shelters. Virtually nothing is known about the natural history of this species, as only very few live individuals have been documented up to date. Although the individual depicted in the current account was found under a stone in December (air temperature approximately 17 degrees), it did not appear to be hibernating concluded by its active responses. Individuals in the lower altitudes of the distribution are probably active year-round (but likely at different rates), while those occurring in mountainous regions might hibernating during irregular colder periods.<\/p>\n

When caught,\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0will actively defend itself by flattening its body, and striking at the predator.<\/p>\n

Distribution, habitat and abundance<\/h2>\n

According to current knowledge,\u00a0M. abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0occurs in Northeast Morocco, Northwestern Algeria and Spain (Melilla). Although the latter record is based on identification of a museum specimen (Wade, 2001) it is apparently in need of confirmation (Miras\u00a0et al.<\/em>, 2012). In Morocco, this species can be found east of the Moulouya River, from coastal dune habitats up to the mountains of the Beni Snassen Massif (Wade, 2001). Although the Moulouya River probably acted as an historical barrier,\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0seems to have crossed this river westwards in several locations, such as Ras Kebdana (Ras el Ma). Whether\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0occurs sympatric with\u00a0M. brevis<\/span>\u00a0in these areas or if the two species interbreed is not known. South of the Beni Snassen Massif,\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0is replaced by\u00a0M.\u00a0cf.\u00a0cucullatus<\/span>\u00a0sensu Bons&Geniez (1996) (Wade, 2001). Within Algeria\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0occurs north of the Haut Plateaux in lowlands and within the Tell Atlas, westwards to at least Algiers.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Macroprotodon
Lowland habitat. Morocco. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Macroprotodon
Habitat. Tafoughalt, Morocco. Photo: \u00a9 Serg\u00e9 Bogaerts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Within its distribution,\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0can be regarded as a generalist species. Individuals can be encountered in coastal habitats (especially along eroded cliffs which provide sufficient shelter), rocky (semi)natural lowlands and hilly or mountainous terrain. The individual depicted in the current account was encountered along a well-vegetated hillside just west of the Moulouya River at 30 m a.s.l., littered with rocks. One of the sites described by Wade (2001) near Tafoughalt at nearly 900 m a.s.l. consist of a relatively dense pine forest with grassy undergrowth, again littered with rocks. Nothing is known about the abundance of\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0within its range, although the species is presumed to be common. The lack of knowledge on this species has led to an IUCN \u2018Data Deficient\u2019 status, which has not changes since its description (Miras\u00a0et al.<\/em>, 2012).<\/p>\n

Acknowledgements<\/h2>\n

Serg\u00e9 Bogaerts is thanked for providing a photograph of\u00a0M.\u00a0abubakeri<\/span>\u00a0habitat from Tafoughalt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

To cite this page:<\/b>
\nWouter Beukema (2012):\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri<\/span> Wade, 2001. In: Mart\u00ednez, G., Le\u00f3n, R., Jim\u00e9nez-Robles, O., Gonz\u00e1lez De la Vega, J. P., Gabari, V., Rebollo, B., S\u00e1nchez-T\u00f3jar, A., Fern\u00e1ndez-Cardenete, J. R., G\u00e1llego, J. (Eds.). Moroccoherps. Amphibians and Reptiles of Morocco and Western Sahara. Available from\u00a0www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/ficha\/\u00adMacroprotodon_abubakeri\/<\/a>. Version 26\/12\/2012.<\/p>\n

To cite\u00a0www.morocoherps.com en<\/a>\u00a0as a whole:<\/b>
\nMart\u00ednez, G., Le\u00f3n, R., Jim\u00e9nez-Robles, O., Gonz\u00e1lez De la Vega, J.P., Gabari, V., Rebollo, B., S\u00e1nchez-T\u00f3jar, A., Fern\u00e1ndez-Cardenete, J.R., G\u00e1llego, J. (Eds.). Moroccoherps. Amphibians and Reptiles of Morocco and Western Sahara. Available from\u00a0www.moroccoherps.com<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Culebra de cogulla de Abubaker Macroprotodon abubakeri\u00a0Wade, 2001 By\u00a0Wouter Beukema Updated:\u00a026\/12\/2012 Taxonomy:\u00a0Serpentes\u00a0|\u00a0Colubridae\u00a0|\u00a0Macroprotodon\u00a0|\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri \u00a0\u00a0Macroprotodon abubakeri Distribution map of Macroprotodon abubakeri in Morocco.     Gallery: 0 photos. Phylogenetic frame Macroprotodon abubakeri\u00a0was described by Wade (2001), who partitioned this species from\u00a0M. brevis\u00a0based on morphological analyses of museum specimens. Due to the fact that most of these … <\/p>\n

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