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
Synonyms
  • Atheris nitschei rungweensis - Bogert, 1940[1]
Common names: Rungwe tree viper,[2][3] Rungwe bush viper,[4] Rungwe leaf viper,[5] more

Atheris nitschei rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies[6] found in Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.[2]

Contents

Description

Grows to a maximum length of 65 cm. Midbody, it has 22-33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150-165 and the subcaudals 46-58.[3]

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,[2][3] Rungwe bush viper,[4] Rungwe leaf viper,[5] Mount Rungwe bush viper.[7]

Geographic range

Scattered locations from south-west Tanzania to north-east Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in north Malawi.[2] The type locality is listed as "Rungwe Mountains, Tanganyika Territory."[1]

Habitat

Found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of 800-2000 m.[3][8] Occasionally encountered in moist savannah, woodland and hill forest habitats.[7]

Taxonomy

Also be referred to by some as a species: Atheris rungweensis.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ 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).
  2. ^ a b c d Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  3. ^ a b c d 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.
  4. ^ a b Atheris rungweensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 September 2007.
  5. ^ a b Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  6. ^ "Atheris nitschei rungweensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=635231. Retrieved 17 July 2006. 
  7. ^ a b c d 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.
  8. ^ Atheris rungweensis at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 9 September 2007.