Venomous Snakes: Corals and vipers that inhabit the Republic of Panama

Authors

Víctor Martínez Cortés
Universidad de Panamá. Panamá
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4515-7725
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16421503

Keywords:

Elapidae, viperidae, serpientes, diversidad biologica, taxonomía

Synopsis

The work you hold in your hands consists of four chapters plus appendices, each addressing topics inherent to the venomous snakes found in the Republic of Panama. The first chapter addresses descriptive aspects of the country's political and administrative situation, including the protected wilderness areas declared in Panama. Chapter two presents the historical and current taxonomy of venomous snakes, including two tables, 10 maps with the author's updated distribution, and 28 photos, corresponding to the species included.

Chapter three includes the historical and current taxonomy for vipers, including two tables, 15 maps with the distribution updated by the author, and 78 photos corresponding to the species included. In chapter four, the author considers it essential to include some recommendations that contribute to minimizing snake accidents in the country. Those who consult this compilation will have the opportunity to obtain firsthand the fruits of the labor of herpetologist/ophidiologist Víctor Martínez Cortés, during more than forty years of work in the field and laboratory.

Author Biography

Víctor Martínez Cortés, Universidad de Panamá. Panamá

Víctor Martínez Cortés has been a tenured professor of zoology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Exact Sciences, and Technology at the University of Panama for 46 years, and has been a professor emeritus for four years.

He earned his master's degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1981, specializing in herpetology and ophidiology, becoming the first Panamanian in this discipline. Upon returning to Panama, he embarked on a series of discovery trips, which have enabled the country to update its knowledge of venomous snake species and their impact on the population. This work is the result of all those years of traveling through the forests and mountains of our country, day and often night.

He served as director of the Department of Zoology at the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity (ICAB), was founder and director of the Center for Research and Responses in Ophidiology (CEREO), and coordinator of the Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences. He has supervised more than 30 bachelor's theses and one master's thesis, and has written more than 30 scientific publications, including book chapters. He is a founding member of the College of Biologists of Panama and its Board of Directors.

References

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Venomous Snakes: Corals and vipers that inhabit the Republic of Panama

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Published

July 28, 2025

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