Atheris rungweensis
| Atheris rungweensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. rungweensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Atheris rungweensis | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Atheris rungweensis, commonly known as the Rungwe tree viper,[4][5] Mt Rungwe bush viper,[3] and Rungwe leaf viper,[6] is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to East Africa.[3][4]
Taxonomy and etymology
[edit]The specific name rungweensis is derived from the species' type locality in the Rungwe Mountains.[2] A. rungweensis was formerly considered as a subspecies of Atheris nitschei.[3][7]
Description
[edit]A. rungweensis grows to a maximum total length (tail included) 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.[5]
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]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]A. rungweensis is known from scattered locations from south-western Tanzania to north-eastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi.[4]
A. 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).[5][8] Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savanna, woodland, and hill forest habitats.[7]
Behavior
[edit]A. rungweensis is fully arboreal.[3]
Reproduction
[edit]A. rungweensis is ovoviviparous.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Branch, W.R.; Wagner, P.; Pietersen, D.; Verburgt, L. (2021). "Atheris rungweensis ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T44980180A44980189. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T44980180A44980189.en. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (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).
- ^ a b c d e f Atheris rungweensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press / Ralph Curtis Books. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ a b c 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
[edit]- 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". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 77: 1–107 + Plate I. (Atheris nitschei rungweensis, new subspecies, pp. 104–106, Figure 18).
- Broadley, D.G. (1998). "A review of the genus Atheris Cope (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the description of a new species from Uganda". Herpetological Journal. 8: 117–135. (Atheris rungweensis, new taxonomic status, p. 122).
- Rasmussen, J.B.; Howell, K.M. (1982). "The current status of the rare Usambara mountain forest-viper, Atheris ceratophorus Werner, 1895, including a probable new record of Atheris nitschei rungweensis Bogert, 1940, and a discussion of its validity (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae)". Amphibia-Reptilia. 3: 269–277.
- Spawls, S.; Howell, K.; Hinkel, H.; Menegon, M. (2018). A Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London, Oxford, New York, New Delhi, Sydney: Bloomsbury Wildlife. ISBN 978-1-399-40481-5. 624 pp. (Atheris rungweensis, pp. 592–593).
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