Much banded krait

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Much banded krait
Much banded krait

Much banded krait

Systematics
Subordination : Snakes (serpentes)
Superfamily : Adder-like and viper-like (Colubroidea)
Family : Poison Snakes (Elapidae)
Subfamily : True poisonous snakes (Elapinae)
Genre : Kraits ( Bungarus )
Type : Much banded krait
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

Distribution area of ​​the much banded krait

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

Individual evidence

  1. UniProt: α-Bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
  2. UniProt: κ-Bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
  3. Spectrum Lexicon of Neuroscience: Bungarotoxins (accessed on August 22, 2015)
  4. UniProt: γ-bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
  5. WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources: Bungarus multicinctus (accessed on August 22, 2015)

Web links

Commons : Much-banded krait ( Bungarus multicinctus )  - collection of images, videos and audio files