Bothrops bilineatus

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Bothrops bilineatus
Bothrops Bilineatus.jpg
Bothrops bilineatus in a palm in Orito rainforest, Southern Colombia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species:
B. bilineatus
Binomial name
Bothrops bilineatus
(Wied-Neuwied, 1821)
Synonyms
  • Cophias bilineatusWied-Neuwied, 1821
  • Trigonoceph[alus]. bilineatusSchinz, 1822
  • [Bothrops] bilineatusWagler, 1830
  • T[rigonocephalus]. bilineatusSchlegel, 1837
  • Craspedocephalus bilineatusGray, 1849
  • Bothrops bilineatusDuméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1954
  • Trigonocephalus (Bothrops) arboreusCope, 1870
  • Lachesis bilineatusBoulenger, 1896
  • Lachesis bilineataBoettger, 1898
  • Bothrops bilineataAmaral, 1930
  • Bothrops bilineatus bilineatusHoge, 1966
  • Bothriopsis bilineata bilineataCampbell & Lamar, 1989
  • Bothriechis bilineatus bilineatusGolay et al., 1993 [2]

Bothrops bilineatus, also known as the two-striped forest-pitviper, [3] [4] parrotsnake, [5] Amazonian palm viper, [6] or green jararaca, [3] [7] is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the Amazon region of South America. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. [3] 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.

Contents

Description

Adults usually do not grow to more than 70 cm (28 in) in length, although some may reach 100 cm (39 in). The maximum reported size is 123 cm (48 in). The body is relatively slender, with a prehensile tail. [4]

The scalation includes 23–35 dorsal scales at midbody, 190–218/192–220 ventral scales in males/females and 65–76/55–73 mostly divided subcaudal scales in males/females. On the head are 5–9 keeled intersupraoculars, 8–12 sublabial scales and 7–9 supralabial scales. Of the latter, the second is usually fused with the prelacunal to form a lacunolabial, although partial or complete sutures may exist to separate these scales. [4]

The colour pattern consists of a pale green ground colour overlaid dorsally with either a peppering of black spots, or a series of tan or reddish brown spots that are usually paired. The ventrals are bordered by a creamy yellow line running down the length of the body, while the belly itself is yellow and bordered with a tinge of green. The latter part of the tail is pink and bordered with yellow. The head is either green with a scattering of small black spots, or green with isolated tan or reddish brown spots that are bordered in black. The iris is pale green, while the labials are yellow green, often with black spots. [4]

The nominate subspecies, B. b. bilineata, has vertical dark stripes on the supralabial scales and a dorsal pattern of reddish brown spots with black flecks. [4]

Geographic range

This species is found in the Amazon region of South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. An isolated population is known from the Atlantic versant of southeastern Brazil. The type locality given is "Brasilien". [2]

Habitat

It is found in lowland rain forest, in shrubbery, palms and trees, and anywhere in the vicinity of water. [4] [6] It is almost always found in bushes and trees along streams or along the edges for forest clearings, mostly associated with primary forest, although has also been found in older secondary forest near primary forest. [4]

Behaviour

Nocturnal, this species spends the day hidden in thick foliage, tree hollows, or at the base of palm fronds, always remaining in places where it can anchor itself with its prehensile tail. It tends to rely on ambush instead of actively hunting for prey. [6] Some species of viper are only active during the day as they bask in the sunlight and strike at prey that draw too close. Others tend to be nocturnal choosing to hunt at night and rest in the day.

Feeding

The diet consists of small mammals, such as mouse opossums ( Marmosa ), mice, birds, lizards, and frogs. Juveniles tend to remain closer to the ground to feed on small frogs and lizards. [6]

Reproduction

It is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young. [6]

Venom

This species is an important cause of snakebite throughout the entire Amazon region. Due to its arboreal nature, most bites are to the upper body, including hands, arms, and faces. [5]

Clinical features of bite wounds include bruising, profound coagulopathy, and spontaneous bleeding. Symptoms reported from various case histories include local pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding of the gums, loss of consciousness, hematemesis, hematuria, fever, erythema, bleeding from the fang punctures, shock, bleeding from the mouth, nose and eyes, nausea, and incoagulable blood. At least one death has been reported. [5] The DL50 is 6.28 mg/kg.[ citation needed ]

Subspecies

Subspecies [3] Taxon author [3] Common nameGeographic range [4]
B. b. bilineatus Wied-Neuwied, 1821Amazonian palm viper [6] South America in the equatorial tropical rainforests of Southern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil, including the Atlantic Forest
B. b. smaragdinus Hoge, 1966Loro machaco (Peru)South America in the Amazon natural regions of Southwestern Colombia, southern Venezuela, northern and western Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia

If these subspecies are eventually proved to be monophyletic, then this will suggest that the Amazon Rainforest split into eastern and western parts before the eastern part split from the more southern Atlantic Forest. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Bothrops</i> Genus of snakes

Bothrops is a genus of highly venomous pit vipers endemic to the Neotropics. The generic name, Bothrops, is derived from the Greek words βόθρος, bothros, meaning "pit", and ώπς, ops, meaning "eye" or "face", together an allusion to the heat-sensitive loreal pit organs. Members of this genus are responsible for more human deaths in the Americas than any other group of venomous snakes. Currently, 48 species are recognized.

<i>Bothrops alternatus</i> Species of snake

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<i>Bothrops asper</i> Species of snake

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<i>Bothriechis lateralis</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis lateralis is a venomous pit viper species found in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Agkistrodon bilineatus</i> Species of snake

Agkistrodon bilineatus is a highly venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Central America as far south as Honduras.

<i>Bothrops ammodytoides</i> Species of snake

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

<i>Bothrops jararaca</i> Species of snake

Bothrops jararaca—known as the jararaca or yarara—is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America in southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The specific name, jararaca, is derived from the Tupi words yarará and ca, which mean 'large snake'. Within its geographic range, it is often abundant and is an important cause of snakebite. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothriechis nigroviridis</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis nigroviridis is a venomous pit viper species found in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized. The specific name is derived from the Latin niger (black) and viridis (green) in reference to its distinctive color pattern.

<i>Bothriechis aurifer</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis aurifer is a venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothrops taeniatus</i> Species of snake

Bothrops taeniatus, the speckled forest-pitviper, is a species of pit viper found in the equatorial forests of South America endemic to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, And Brazil. The specific name, taenia, is derived from the Greek word, tainia, meaning ribbon bandage or stripe, in reference to the slender body. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Bothrops neuwiedi</i> Species of snake

Bothrops neuwiedi is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America. This relatively small snake has a wide range and is a major source of snakebite in Argentina. It was named after German naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied (1782-1867), who made important collections in Brazil (1815-1817). Seven subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Trimeresurus sumatranus</i> Species of snake

Trimeresurus sumatranus is a species of venomous pitviper found in the tropical forests of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Arboreal by nature, its coloration is pale to neon-green, with some black vertical markings, and a red-tipped tail. As with other vipers, this species has prominent, “keeled” scales, which appear somewhat raised and give the snake a rough-textured appearance. Common names include Sumatran pitviper, Sumatran tree viper, and Sumatran pit viper.

Bothrops medusa is a venomous pitviper species endemic to Venezuela. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothrops oligolepis</i> Species of snake

Bothrops oligolepis is a venomous pitviper species found in Peru and Bolivia. The specific name is derived from the Greek words oligo and lepis, meaning "few scales"; probably an allusion to the lower numbers of dorsal and ventral scales that it has compared to B. bilineatus. No subspecies are currently recognized.

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.

<i>Bothrops punctatus</i> Species of snake

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<i>Bothrops bilineatus smaragdinus</i> Subspecies of snake

Bothrops bilineatus smaragdinus is a venomous pitviper subspecies found in the northern and western Amazon region of South America.

Bothrocophias andianus is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the Andes in South America. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothrops brazili</i> Species of snake

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References

  1. Catenazzi, A.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F.; Hoogmoed, M.S.; Nogueira, C. de C. (2021). "Bothrops bilineatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021. IUCN: e.T15203567A15203579. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T15203567A15203579.en .
  2. 1 2 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).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bothrops bilineatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 September 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN   0-8014-4141-2.
  5. 1 2 3 Warrell DA. 2004. "Snakebites in Central and South America: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Clinical Management". In: 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.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN   0-8069-6460-X.
  7. Bothrops bilineata (Wied-neuwied, 1821), Catalogue of Life

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