Bothrops ammodytoides

Bothrops ammodytoides is a venomous pit viper species endemic to Argentina.[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.[6]

Bothrops ammodytoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species:
B. ammodytoides
Binomial name
Bothrops ammodytoides
Leybold, 1873
Synonyms
  • Bothrops ammodytoides Leybold, 1873
  • Rhinocerophis nasus
    Garman, 1881
  • Bothrops nasus – Berg, 1884
  • Bothrops patagonicus
    F. Müller, 1885
  • Bothrops Burmeisteri Koslowsky, 1895
  • Lachesis ammodytoides
    – Boulenger, 1896
  • Bothrops ammodytoides
    – Amaral, 1930[1]
  • Rhinocerophis ammodytoides – Fenwick et al., 2009[2]
Common names: Patagonian lancehead,[3] yarará ñata,[4] Patagonian pit viper.[5]

Description

This species has a stocky build and grows to an average total length of 45–75 cm (18-30 inches), but is capable reaching almost 1 m (39 inches) in total length. The rostral scale is elongated vertically and the snout is upturned, similar to the hog-nosed pitvipers of the genus Porthidium.[3]

Dorsally, it is pale brown, with a series of large squarish dark brown spots or crossbars which are edged with black. On some specimens these markings alternate to form a zigzag stripe. There is a dark streak behind the eye. Ventrally, it is yellowish with brown dots.

The very strongly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 23 or 25 rows at midbody. Ventrals 149-160; anal plate entire; subcaudals 30-38, divided.

The dorsal surface of the head is covered by small, imbricate, keeled scales. The large supraoculars are separated by 8 or 9 rows of these small scales. Two rows of scales separate the eye from the upper labials. Upper labials 9 or 10, the 2nd separated from the loreal pit, the 3rd and 4th largest. The temporal scales are keeled.[7]

Common name

In Argentina is known as Yarará ñata (Spanish for "short-nosed yarará"), making reference to its characteristic snout.[8]

Geographic range

Found only in Argentina in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Córdoba, Chubut, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz and Tucumán.[1] The vertical distribution ranges from sea level to at least 2,000 m (6,600 ft) altitude.[3] The type locality was first listed as "northern Argentina" and later emended to "province of Mendoza" Campbell and Lamar (1989).[1]

The geographic range of Bothrops ammodytoides extends to 47° S Latitude, which may make it the world's southernmost snake.[2]

Habitat

Prefers dry regions, occurring in temperate to subtropical savannas and steppes. Found mostly in sandy, rocky areas, including coastal dunes, steep riverbanks and salt flats. Around the upper limits of its altitude range it can occasionally be found in broadleaf evergreen forest.[3]

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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. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  4. Nomi Rettili Italiano - Inglese Archived 2007-02-17 at the Wayback Machine at serpenti.it Archived 2006-11-04 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 7 November 2006.
  5. 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.
  6. "Bothrops ammodytoides". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 7 November 2006.
  7. Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the...Viperidæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Lachesis ammodytoides, p. 543.)
  8. de Roodt, AR; Dolab, JA; Hajos, SE; Gould, E; Dinápoli, H; Troiano, JC; Gould, J; Dokmetjian, JC; Carfagnini, JC; Fernández, T; Amoroso, M; Segre, L; Vidal, JC (2000). "Some toxic and enzymatic activities of Bothrops ammodytoides (yarará ñata) venom". Toxicon. 38: 49–61. doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(99)00126-9. PMID 10669011.

Further reading
  • Leybold, Federico [Friedrich]. 1873. Excursión a las Pampas argentinas, Hojas de mi diario, Febrero de 1871. Imprenta Nacional. Santiago, Chile. 107 pp. (Bothrops ammodytoides, p. 80.)
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