Lizards and Snakes of Alabama
416 pages, 6 x 9
118 color illustrations - 109 B&W figures - 77
Paperback
Release Date:12 Feb 2019
ISBN:9780817359164
An up-to-date and comprehensive herpetological guide to Alabama
Lizards and Snakes of Alabama is the most comprehensive taxonomy gathered since Robert H. Mount’s seminal 1975 volume on the reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. This richly illustrated guide provides an up-to-date summary of the taxonomy and life history of lizards and snakes native to, or introduced to, the state.
Alabama possesses one of the most species-rich biotas in north temperate areas and this richness is reflected in some groups of lizards, such as skinks, and especially in snakes. The authors examine all known species within the state and describe important regional variations in each species, including changes in species across the many habitats that comprise the state. Significant field studies, especially of Alabama’s threatened and endangered species, have been performed and are used to inform discussion of each account.
The life-history entry for each species is comprised of scientific and common names, full-color photographs, a morphological description, discussion of habits and life cycle, and a distribution map depicting the species range throughout the state, as well as notes on conservation and management practices. The illustrated taxonomic keys provided for families, genera, species, and subspecies are of particular value to herpetologists.
This extensive guide will serve as a single resource for understanding the rich natural history of Alabama by shedding light on an important component of that biodiversity. Accessible to all, this volume is valuable to both the professional herpetologist and the general reader interested in snakes and lizards.
Lizards and Snakes of Alabama is the most comprehensive taxonomy gathered since Robert H. Mount’s seminal 1975 volume on the reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. This richly illustrated guide provides an up-to-date summary of the taxonomy and life history of lizards and snakes native to, or introduced to, the state.
Alabama possesses one of the most species-rich biotas in north temperate areas and this richness is reflected in some groups of lizards, such as skinks, and especially in snakes. The authors examine all known species within the state and describe important regional variations in each species, including changes in species across the many habitats that comprise the state. Significant field studies, especially of Alabama’s threatened and endangered species, have been performed and are used to inform discussion of each account.
The life-history entry for each species is comprised of scientific and common names, full-color photographs, a morphological description, discussion of habits and life cycle, and a distribution map depicting the species range throughout the state, as well as notes on conservation and management practices. The illustrated taxonomic keys provided for families, genera, species, and subspecies are of particular value to herpetologists.
This extensive guide will serve as a single resource for understanding the rich natural history of Alabama by shedding light on an important component of that biodiversity. Accessible to all, this volume is valuable to both the professional herpetologist and the general reader interested in snakes and lizards.
Lizards and Snakes of Alabama will be well received by professional herpetologists and will serve as a critical source of information for researchers, including students, involved in projects on reptiles anywhere in the Southeast. It will also be a useful reference for wildlife biologists and conservationists.’
—Whit Gibbons, author of Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians and coauthor of Ecoviews: Snakes, Snails, and Environmental Tales and Ecoviews Too: Ecology for All Seasons
Written by esteemed herpetologists, this book will be the go-to resource for lizard and snake information in Alabama and neighboring states. The natural history details are factual, well researched, and the Conservation and Management section for each species articulates conservation measures needed to conserve Alabama’s reptile diversity. This book contains beautiful up-close photographs that will assist conservationists of all levels in the identification of snake and lizard species and will be an authoritative reference for years to come.’
—Ericha Shelton-Nix, editor of Alabama Wildlife, Volume 5 and Certified Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Craig Guyer is professor emeritus of biological sciences at Auburn University, with special focus on herpetology, tropical ecology, and biogeography. He is coauthor of Amphibians and Reptiles of La Selva, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean Slope: A Comprehensive Guide and Turtles of Alabama.
Mark A. Bailey is senior biologist at Conservation Southeast, Inc., specializing in conserving the biodiversity of the Southeastern United States. He is coauthor of Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southeastern United States and Turtles of Alabama.
Robert H. Mount (1931–2017) was emeritus professor of biological sciences at Auburn University and author of the seminal work in herpetology, The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama.
Mark A. Bailey is senior biologist at Conservation Southeast, Inc., specializing in conserving the biodiversity of the Southeastern United States. He is coauthor of Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southeastern United States and Turtles of Alabama.
Robert H. Mount (1931–2017) was emeritus professor of biological sciences at Auburn University and author of the seminal work in herpetology, The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama.
Abbreviations
Introduction
The Squamate Fauna of Alabama
Indigenous Species
Introduced Species
Taxonomic Changes and Problems
Climate of Alabama
Alabama Geography
River Basins
Important Geographic Units
The Coastal Plain
Lower Coastal Plain
Red Hills
Black Belt
Fall Line Hills
Upland Regions
Piedmont
Talladega Upland
Ridge and Valley
Appalachian Plateaus
Tennessee Valley
Highland Rim
Species Accounts
Keys
Names
Photographs
Descriptions
Alabama Distribution
Habits
Conservation and Management
Taxonomy
Lizards and Snakes – Squamata
Key to the Major Lineages of Squamata of Alabama
Iguanians – Group Iguania
Key to Families of Iguania of Alabama
Anoles – Family Dactyloidae
Key to the Genera of Dactyloidae of Alabama
Beta Anoles – Genus Norops
Cuban Brown Anole (Norops sagrei sagrei)
Anoles – Genus Anolis
Northern Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis carolinensis)
Spiny Lizards – Family Phyrynosomatidae
Key to the Genera of Phrynosomatidae of Alabama
Horned Lizards – Genus Phrynosoma
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
Spiny Lizards – Genus Sceloporus
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Gekkotans – Group Gekkota
True Geckos – Family Gekkonidae
House Geckos – Genus Hemidactylus
Turkish House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus)
Scincomorps – Group Scincomorph
Key to the Families of Scincomorphs of Alabama
Skinks – Family Scincidae
Key to the Genera of Scincidae of Alabama
Ground Skinks – Genus Scincella
Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)
Toothy Skinks – Genus Plestiodon
Key to the Species of Plestiodon of Alabama
Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus)
Key to the Subspecies of Plestiodon anthracinus of Alabama
Northern Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus anthracinus)
Southern Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus pulvialis)
Northern Mole Skink (Plestiodon egregius similis)
Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Pleistiodon inexpectatus)
Broad-headed Skink (Pleistiodon laticeps)
Five-lined Skink (Pleistiodon fasciatus)
Teiids - Family Teiidae
Whiptails - Genus Aspidoscelis
Eastern Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)
Anguimorphans – Group Anguimorpha
Anguids – Family Anguidae
Glass Lizards – Genus Ophisaurus
Key to the Species of Ophisaurus of Alabama
Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Eastern Slender Glass Lizard(Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus)
Snakes – Group Serpentes
Key to the Families of Snakes of Alabama
Colubrid Snakes – Family Colubridae
Synoptic Key to the Subfamilies of Colubridae of Alabama
Key to the Genera of Colubrina of Alabama
Black-headed, Crowned, and Flat-headed Snakes – Genus Tantilla
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Bullsnakes, Pinesnakes, and Gophersnakes – Genus Pituophis
Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus)
Key to the Subspecies of Pituophis melanoleucus of Alabama
Black Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)
Florida Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus “mugitus”)
Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)
North American Ratsnakes – Genus Pantherophis
Key to the Species of Pantherophis of Alabama
Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
Greensnakes – Genus Opheodrys
Northern Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus)
Indigo Snakes – Genus Drymarchon
Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)
North American Racers, Coachwhips, and Whipsnakes – Genus Coluber
Key to the Species of Coluber of Alabama
Eastern Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum flagellum)
Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Key to the Subspecies of Coluber constrictor of Alabama
Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor)
Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor helvigularis)
Gulf Coast clade (Coluber constrictor)
Scarletsnakes – Genus Cemophora
Northern Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinear copei)
Kingsnakes – Genus Lampropeltis
Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigra)
Key to the Species of Lampropeltis of Alabama
Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis nigra of Alabama
Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra nigra)
Eastern Speckled Kingsnake(Lampropeltis nigra holbrooki)
Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis triangulum of Alabama
Red Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila)
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulu triangulum)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis calligaster of Alabama
Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata)
Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster)
Dipsads – Subfamily Dipsadinae
Key to the Genera of Dipsadinae of Alabama
Mudsnakes and Rainbow Snakes – Genus Farancia
Key to the Species of Farancia of Alabama
Rainbow Snake (Farancia erytrogramma)
Key to the Subspecies of Farancia abacura of Alabama
Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)
Western Mudsnake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii)
North American Wormsnakes – Genus Carphophis
Key to the Subspecies of Carphophis amoenus of Alabama
Midwestern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)
Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus)
North American Hog-nosed Snakes – Genus Heterodon
Key to the Species of Heterodon of Alabama
Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platifhinos)
Ring-necked Snakes – Genus Diadophis
Key to the Subspecies of Diadophis punctatus of Alabama
Southern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus)
Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
Mississippi Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus stictogenys)
Littersnakes – Genus Rhadinaea
Pine Woods Littersnake (Rhadinaea flavilata)
Natricines – Subfamily Natricinae
Key to the Genera of Natricinae of Alabama
Swampsnakes – Genus Liodytes
Key to the Species of Liodytes of Alabama
Gulf Glossy Swampsnake (Liodytes rigida sinicola)
Northern Florida Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea pygaea)
North American Earthsnakes – Genus Virginia
Key to the Species of Virginia of Alabama
Rough Earthsnake (Virginia striatula)
Key to the Subspecies of Virginia valeriae of Alabama
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae valeriae)
Western Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae elegans)
North American Brownsnakes – Genus Storeria
Key to the Species of Storeria of Alabama
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata
occipitamaculata)
Key to the Subspecies of Storeria dekayi of Alabama
Midland Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)
Marsh Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi limnetes)
Queensnakes – Genus Regina
Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
North American Gartersnakes – Genus Thamnophis
Key to the Species of Thamnophis of Alabama
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
North American Watersnakes – Genus Nerodia
Key to the Species of Nerodia of Alabama
Key to the Subspecies of Nerodia erthrogaster of Alabama
Red-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster)
Yellow-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
Green Watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion)
Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)
Gulf Saltmarsh Watersnake (Nerodia clarkia clarkia)
Brown Watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota)
Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer)
Key to the Subspecies of Nerodia fasciata of Alabama
Florida Watersanke (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata)
Broad-banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata confluens)
Midland Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis)
Vipers – Family Viperidae
Key to the Genera of Viperidae of Alabama
American Moccasins - Genus Agkistrodon
Key to the Species of Agkistrodon of Alabama
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Key to the Subspecies of Agkistrodon piscivorus of Alabama
Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti)
Continental Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
Massasauga and Pygmy Rattlesnakes – Genus Sistrurus.
Key to the Subspecies of Sistrurus miliarius of Alabama
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius miliarius)
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)
Rattlesnakes – Genus Crotalus
Key to the Species of Crotalus of Alabama
Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Elapids - Family Elapidae
American Coralsnakes – Genus Micrurus
Eastern Coralsnake (Micrurus fulviu
References
Notes
About the Authors
Index
Introduction
The Squamate Fauna of Alabama
Indigenous Species
Introduced Species
Taxonomic Changes and Problems
Climate of Alabama
Alabama Geography
River Basins
Important Geographic Units
The Coastal Plain
Lower Coastal Plain
Red Hills
Black Belt
Fall Line Hills
Upland Regions
Piedmont
Talladega Upland
Ridge and Valley
Appalachian Plateaus
Tennessee Valley
Highland Rim
Species Accounts
Keys
Names
Photographs
Descriptions
Alabama Distribution
Habits
Conservation and Management
Taxonomy
Lizards and Snakes – Squamata
Key to the Major Lineages of Squamata of Alabama
Iguanians – Group Iguania
Key to Families of Iguania of Alabama
Anoles – Family Dactyloidae
Key to the Genera of Dactyloidae of Alabama
Beta Anoles – Genus Norops
Cuban Brown Anole (Norops sagrei sagrei)
Anoles – Genus Anolis
Northern Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis carolinensis)
Spiny Lizards – Family Phyrynosomatidae
Key to the Genera of Phrynosomatidae of Alabama
Horned Lizards – Genus Phrynosoma
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
Spiny Lizards – Genus Sceloporus
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Gekkotans – Group Gekkota
True Geckos – Family Gekkonidae
House Geckos – Genus Hemidactylus
Turkish House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus)
Scincomorps – Group Scincomorph
Key to the Families of Scincomorphs of Alabama
Skinks – Family Scincidae
Key to the Genera of Scincidae of Alabama
Ground Skinks – Genus Scincella
Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)
Toothy Skinks – Genus Plestiodon
Key to the Species of Plestiodon of Alabama
Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus)
Key to the Subspecies of Plestiodon anthracinus of Alabama
Northern Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus anthracinus)
Southern Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus pulvialis)
Northern Mole Skink (Plestiodon egregius similis)
Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Pleistiodon inexpectatus)
Broad-headed Skink (Pleistiodon laticeps)
Five-lined Skink (Pleistiodon fasciatus)
Teiids - Family Teiidae
Whiptails - Genus Aspidoscelis
Eastern Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)
Anguimorphans – Group Anguimorpha
Anguids – Family Anguidae
Glass Lizards – Genus Ophisaurus
Key to the Species of Ophisaurus of Alabama
Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Eastern Slender Glass Lizard(Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus)
Snakes – Group Serpentes
Key to the Families of Snakes of Alabama
Colubrid Snakes – Family Colubridae
Synoptic Key to the Subfamilies of Colubridae of Alabama
Key to the Genera of Colubrina of Alabama
Black-headed, Crowned, and Flat-headed Snakes – Genus Tantilla
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Bullsnakes, Pinesnakes, and Gophersnakes – Genus Pituophis
Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus)
Key to the Subspecies of Pituophis melanoleucus of Alabama
Black Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)
Florida Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus “mugitus”)
Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)
North American Ratsnakes – Genus Pantherophis
Key to the Species of Pantherophis of Alabama
Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
Greensnakes – Genus Opheodrys
Northern Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus)
Indigo Snakes – Genus Drymarchon
Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)
North American Racers, Coachwhips, and Whipsnakes – Genus Coluber
Key to the Species of Coluber of Alabama
Eastern Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum flagellum)
Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Key to the Subspecies of Coluber constrictor of Alabama
Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor)
Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor helvigularis)
Gulf Coast clade (Coluber constrictor)
Scarletsnakes – Genus Cemophora
Northern Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinear copei)
Kingsnakes – Genus Lampropeltis
Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigra)
Key to the Species of Lampropeltis of Alabama
Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis nigra of Alabama
Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra nigra)
Eastern Speckled Kingsnake(Lampropeltis nigra holbrooki)
Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis triangulum of Alabama
Red Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila)
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulu triangulum)
Key to the Subspecies of Lampropeltis calligaster of Alabama
Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata)
Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster)
Dipsads – Subfamily Dipsadinae
Key to the Genera of Dipsadinae of Alabama
Mudsnakes and Rainbow Snakes – Genus Farancia
Key to the Species of Farancia of Alabama
Rainbow Snake (Farancia erytrogramma)
Key to the Subspecies of Farancia abacura of Alabama
Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)
Western Mudsnake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii)
North American Wormsnakes – Genus Carphophis
Key to the Subspecies of Carphophis amoenus of Alabama
Midwestern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)
Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus)
North American Hog-nosed Snakes – Genus Heterodon
Key to the Species of Heterodon of Alabama
Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platifhinos)
Ring-necked Snakes – Genus Diadophis
Key to the Subspecies of Diadophis punctatus of Alabama
Southern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus)
Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
Mississippi Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus stictogenys)
Littersnakes – Genus Rhadinaea
Pine Woods Littersnake (Rhadinaea flavilata)
Natricines – Subfamily Natricinae
Key to the Genera of Natricinae of Alabama
Swampsnakes – Genus Liodytes
Key to the Species of Liodytes of Alabama
Gulf Glossy Swampsnake (Liodytes rigida sinicola)
Northern Florida Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea pygaea)
North American Earthsnakes – Genus Virginia
Key to the Species of Virginia of Alabama
Rough Earthsnake (Virginia striatula)
Key to the Subspecies of Virginia valeriae of Alabama
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae valeriae)
Western Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae elegans)
North American Brownsnakes – Genus Storeria
Key to the Species of Storeria of Alabama
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata
occipitamaculata)
Key to the Subspecies of Storeria dekayi of Alabama
Midland Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)
Marsh Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi limnetes)
Queensnakes – Genus Regina
Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
North American Gartersnakes – Genus Thamnophis
Key to the Species of Thamnophis of Alabama
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
North American Watersnakes – Genus Nerodia
Key to the Species of Nerodia of Alabama
Key to the Subspecies of Nerodia erthrogaster of Alabama
Red-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster)
Yellow-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
Green Watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion)
Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana)
Gulf Saltmarsh Watersnake (Nerodia clarkia clarkia)
Brown Watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota)
Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer)
Key to the Subspecies of Nerodia fasciata of Alabama
Florida Watersanke (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata)
Broad-banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata confluens)
Midland Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis)
Vipers – Family Viperidae
Key to the Genera of Viperidae of Alabama
American Moccasins - Genus Agkistrodon
Key to the Species of Agkistrodon of Alabama
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Key to the Subspecies of Agkistrodon piscivorus of Alabama
Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti)
Continental Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
Massasauga and Pygmy Rattlesnakes – Genus Sistrurus.
Key to the Subspecies of Sistrurus miliarius of Alabama
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius miliarius)
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)
Rattlesnakes – Genus Crotalus
Key to the Species of Crotalus of Alabama
Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Elapids - Family Elapidae
American Coralsnakes – Genus Micrurus
Eastern Coralsnake (Micrurus fulviu
References
Notes
About the Authors
Index
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