Much banded krait
Much banded krait | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Much banded krait |
||||||||||||
Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Scientific name | ||||||||||||
Bungarus multicinctus | ||||||||||||
Blyth , 1861 |
The Vielgebänderte Krait ( bungarus multicinctus ), also known as Chinese Krait or Vielbindenbungar called, is a poisonous snake and counts within the family of poisonous snakes to the genus Kraits . The species was first described scientifically in 1861 by the English zoologist Edward Blyth .
features
The multi-banded krait reaches a length of 120 to 140 cm. The body, which is triangular to oval in cross-section, is slim, but still strong. The head is short, flat and hardly separates from the neck. The relatively small eye has a round pupil. The top of the body is covered by 15 rows of smooth scales. Head and body have a glossy black basic color. 34 to 45 are found along the body and another 9 to 16 white to gray-white transverse bands along the tail. The ventral side is often spotted dark.
Like all Venomari has Bungarus multicinctus to venom glands reformed salivary glands , which via a channel with poison in the front upper jaw located, non-movable fangs are connected (proteroglyphe tooth position).
Subspecies
The following subspecies are known:
- Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus
- Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi
toxicology
The toxin mixture from Bungarus multicinctus mainly contains neurotoxic polypeptides , which are collectively referred to as bungarotoxins and which develop their effects in the peripheral nervous system . α-Bungarotoxin (a three-finger toxin ) has a high affinity for the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors of the motor endplate and, as an antagonist, blocks them almost irreversibly. κ-bungarotoxin (a three-finger toxin) is also a potent acetylcholine antagonist, but does not act on the motor end plate, but in ganglia , for example . β-Bungarotoxins , a pair of polypeptides with phospholipase A2 activity, act by presynaptic inhibition of the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft (motor endplate). The effect occurs with a time delay in relation to α- and κ-bungarotoxins. γ-Bungarotoxin (a three-finger toxin) has only a weak affinity for nicotine receptors, but a stronger affinity for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors . In addition, γ-bungarotoxin inhibits platelet aggregation .
One poison bite can release 4.6 to 11 mg of poison (dry weight). After a bite in humans, non-specific general symptoms (e.g. headache , nausea , vomiting , abdominal pain , diarrhea , dizziness , shock , cramps ) can occur. The neurotoxins cause progressive paralysis, which is initially noticeable as ptosis and can lead to complete paralysis . Death occurs through respiratory paralysis .
Way of life
The much-banded krait leads a nocturnal way of life, especially on damp and rainy nights it actively searches for food. Other snakes, lizards , amphibians and bony fish , and occasionally small mammals, belong to the range of prey of the species . The propagation is done by oviparity , the species is so oviparous. The clutch contains 3 to 20 eggs. The young snakes measure around 25 cm when they hatch.
habitat
Bungarus multicinctus occurs at altitudes of up to 1500 m above sea level . The inhabited habitats are lowland forests, bamboo thickets, rice fields and open plains. The respective biotopes are humid and are characterized by their proximity to water. Bungarus multicinctus is a common snake species that is not afraid of being close to humans. They can often be found in drainage ditches.
Distribution area
The distribution area extends over Myanmar , Laos , Taiwan and the north of Vietnam as well as parts of the southern People's Republic of China ( Hainan , Anhui , Chongqing , Sichuan , Guangdong , Guangxi , Hong Kong , Hunan , Hubei , Yunnan , Guizhou , Jiangxi , Zhejiang , Fujian ).
Danger
Bungarus multicinctus is currently not endangered, but the populations are declining. The main risk is the pet trade, for example in the context of traditional medicine.
literature
- Ludwig Trutnau: poisonous snakes. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-8001-7371-9 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ UniProt: α-Bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ UniProt: κ-Bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ Spectrum Lexicon of Neuroscience: Bungarotoxins (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ UniProt: γ-bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources: Bungarus multicinctus (accessed on August 22, 2015)
Web links
- Bungarus multicinctus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2012. Posted by: Ji, X., Rao, D.-q. & Wang, Y., 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- Bungarus multicinctus in The Reptile Database