Atheris katangensis
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| Atheris katangensis Witte, 1953 |
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Atheris katangensis is a venomous viper species endemic to DR Congo. Found only in a limited area in the east of the country.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
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[edit] Description
Attains a maximum length of only 40 cm, making this the smallest member of the genus Atheris.[2]
The head is flat, triangular, distinct from the neck and covered with small keeled scales. The snout is rounded. Midbody there are 24-31 rows of dorsal scales. The tail is short. Males and females have 45-59 and 38-42 subcaudal scales respectively.[2]
The color pattern consists of a purple-brown or yellow-brown ground color, overlaid with paired dorsolateral lines of a contrasting shade. These lines may break into a zigzag pattern and run from head to tail. The belly is yellowish, as it the tip of the tail.[2]
[edit] Common names
Shaba bush viper, [2][3] Katanga Mountain bush viper,[4] Upemba bush viper, Katanga bush viper, [6] Katanga tree viper.[7]
[edit] Geographic range
Restricted to Upemba National Park, Shaba Province in eastern DR Congo. The type locality given is "Mubale-Munte (région du confluent), sous-affluent st de la rive droite de la Lufira [alt. 1480], Park National de l'Upemba."[1]
[edit] Habitat
Gallery forest along rivers at altitudes between 1200 and 1500 meters.[3]
[edit] See also
- List of viperine species and subspecies
- Viperinae by common name
- Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
[edit] References
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e f Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ^ a b c Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ a b Atheris katangensis at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
- ^ Atheris katangensis (TSN 634946). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 13 July 2006.
- ^ Atheris katangensis at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 8 September 2007.
- ^ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
