Venomdoc Forums

[philodryas]

Hi,

I looked for the etymology of all viperidae, but some of them are still a mystery for me.

Someone could help me?


- Azemiops

- Bitis

- Cryptelytrops

- Parias


And some others:

- Bitis caudalis
from latin word "cauda" (tail). What is the reason of this name?

- Crotalus culminatus
from latin word "culmen" (summit). What is the reason of this name?

- Cryptelytrops erythrurus
From greek word "erythros" (red). Why red???

- Ovophis
from latin "ovum" (egg) and "ophis" (snake). ????

- Peltopelor
I'm not sure but from greek word "pelto" (small shield) and "pelor" (monster). Because of his big scales???

- Cryptelytrops
Perhaps not but: from greek words kryptos (secret, hide), elytron (Girdle, envelope) et ops (eye). ????????

thanks for your help.
_________________
www.philodryas.com
The first website dedicated to the genus Philodryas

[jdrinehart]

hey philodryas. good question. i definitely have wondered this same question over the years. i can't give a definitive answer to any of the species you have named here but i do have one "potential" answer for your Bitis caudalis. now, i may be completely and utterly wrong with this answer (which is just my hypothesis) but i figure it is named "caudalis" because like many other species of snakes, it will use it's tail to attract potential prey items such as lizards and amphibians. again, i may be wrong but that is just my humble opinion.

jason
_________________
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Dream. Explore. Discover."-Mark Twain

jason (Ιάσων-one who heals)

[philodryas]

thanks Jason,

But in 1849 (year of description of this specie), was this behaviour observed???
Perhaps yes...

Someone has more informations?
_________________
www.philodryas.com
The first website dedicated to the genus Philodryas

[WW]

[philodryas]

of course!!! "oura"= tail !!!
thanks a lot.

So, about Ovophis, it's certainly in reference to oviparity.


Rémi
_________________
www.philodryas.com
The first website dedicated to the genus Philodryas