Atheris nitschei rungweensis
| Atheris nitschei rungweensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. nitschei |
| Subspecies: | A. n. rungweensis |
| Trinomial name | |
| Atheris nitschei rungweensis Bogert, 1940[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
Atheris nitschei rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies[6] endemic to Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.[3]
Description
It grows to a maximum length (body + tail) of 65 cm (26 in). At midbody, it has 22-33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150-165, and the subcaudals 46-58.[4]
The color pattern is variable, with a ground color that ranges from bright green to green to black. Usually, this is overlaid with a pair of yellow dorsolateral zigzag lines. A row of yellow spots on the sides of the ventral scales may also be present. Specimens from the Sumbawanga region usually have a green yellow and black color pattern. Neonates are a dark brown or gray, but with a bright yellow tail tip.[7]
Common names
Rungwe tree viper,[3][4] Rungwe bush viper,[2] Rungwe leaf viper,[5] Mount Rungwe bush viper.[7]
Geographic range
It is known from scattered locations from southwestern Tanzania to northeastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi.[3]
The type locality is listed as "Rungwe Mountains, Tanganyika Territory".[1]
Habitat
A. n. rungweensis is usually found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of 800–2,000 m (2,600–6,600 ft).[4][8] Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savannah, woodland, and hill forest habitats.[7]
Taxonomy
It is also referred to by some as a species: Atheris rungweensis.[7]
See also
- List of viperine species and subspecies
- Viperinae by common name
- Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
References
- 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington., District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- 1 2 3 Atheris rungweensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 September 2007.
- 1 2 3 4 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- 1 2 3 4 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- 1 2 Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ↑ "Atheris nitschei rungweensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 July 2006.
- 1 2 3 4 Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2004. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.
- ↑ Atheris rungweensis at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 9 September 2007.
Further reading
- Bogert CM. 1940. Herpetological Results of the Vernay Angola Expedition, with Notes on the African Reptiles in Other Collections. Part I. — Snakes, Including an Arrangement of African Colubridae. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. 77: 1-107 + Plate I. ("Atheris nitschei rungweensis, new species", pp. 104–106, Figure 18).