| Atheris rungweensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. rungweensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris rungweensis | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Atheris rungweensis, commonly known as the Rungwe tree viper, [3] [4] Mt Rungwe bush viper, [2] and Rungwe leaf viper, [5] is a species of venomous viper found in East Africa. [2] [3]
The specific name is derived from the species type locality in the Rungwe Mountains. [1] It was formerly considered as a subspecies of Atheris nitschei . [2] [6]
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. [6]
Atheris rungweensis is known from scattered locations from south-western Tanzania to north-eastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi. [3]
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] [7] Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savanna, woodland, and hill forest habitats. [6]
The Gaboon viper is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake. No subspecies are recognized.
Bitis nasicornis is a venomous viper species found in the forests of West and Central Africa. This large viper is known for its striking coloration and prominent nasal "horns." No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names: butterfly viper, rhinoceros viper, river jack.
The puff adder is a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rainforest regions. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and aggressive disposition. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Atheris squamigera is a viper species endemic to west and central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all vipers, the species is venomous.
Atheris is a genus of venomous vipers known as bush vipers. They are found only in tropical subsaharan Africa and many species have isolated and fragmented distributions due to their confinement to rain forests. In an example of convergent evolution, they show many similarities to the arboreal pit vipers of Asia and South America. Seventeen species are currently recognized.
Atheris barbouri is a small and rare terrestrial species of viper endemic to the Uzungwe and Ukinga mountains of south-central Tanzania in Africa. No subspecies are recognized.
Atheris ceratophora is a venomous viper species endemic to a few mountain ranges in Tanzania. This used to be the only horned, arboreal viper known from Africa, until the discovery in 2011 of Atheris matildae, also found in Tanzania. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris chlorechis is a venomous viper species found only in the forests of West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris desaixi, commonly known as the Mount Kenya bush viper, Ashe's bush viper, or Desaix's bush viper, is a venomous species of viper endemic to Kenya, where only two isolated populations are known. It is known for its striking black and yellow coloration. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris hispida is a venomous viper species endemic to Central Africa. It is known for its extremely keeled dorsal scales that give it a bristly appearance. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include rough-scaled bush viper, spiny bush viper, hairy bush viper, and more.
Atheris katangensis is a venomous viper species found in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Zambia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris nitschei is a species of highly venomous snake, a viper in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Bitis peringueyi, also known as the Peringuey's adder, Peringuey's desert adder or sidewinding adder, is a venomous viper species found in Namibia and southern Angola. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Causus maculatus is venomous viper species found mainly in West- and Central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include forest rhombic night adder, West African night adder and spotted night adder.
Causus bilineatus is a venomous viper species endemic to south central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include lined night adder, two-lined night adder, and two-striped night adder.
Causus defilippii is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to East and Southern Africa. There are no recognized subspecies. Its common name is snouted night adder.
Causus lichtensteinii is a venomous viper species endemic to western, central, and eastern Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Causus resimus is a venomous viper species found in isolated populations distributed across tropical Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops bilineatus, also known as the two-striped forest-pitviper, parrotsnake, Amazonian palm viper, or green jararaca, is a highly venomous species of pit viper found in the Amazon region of South America. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. A pale green arboreal species that may reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, it is an important cause of snakebite throughout the entire Amazon region.
Bothrops pulcher is a venomous pitviper species found in South America. The specific name is Latin, meaning "beautiful", in reference to the color pattern. No subspecies are currently recognized.