Atheris rungweensis

Atheris rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies[6] endemic to Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.[3] It was formerly considered a subspecies of Atheris nitschei.[7]

Atheris rungweensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Atheris
Species:
A. rungweensis
Binomial name
Atheris rungweensis
Bogert, 1940[1]
Synonyms

Atheris nitschei rungweensis
— Broadley, 1998[2]

Common names: Rungwe tree viper,[3][4] Rungwe bush viper,[2] Rungwe leaf viper,[5] more

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

Atheris 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]

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References
  1. 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).
  2. Atheris rungweensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 September 2007.
  3. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  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.
  5. 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. Retrieved 17 July 2006.
  7. 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.

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).
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