| Bothrops moojeni | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bothrops |
| Species: | B. moojeni |
| Binomial name | |
| Bothrops moojeni | |
Bothrops moojeni, commonly known in English as the Brazilian lancehead, is a highly venomous species of snake in the family Viperidae. [1] [3] It is a pit viper endemic to South America. [1] [2]
The specific name, moojeni, is in honor of Brazilian zoologist João Moojen de Oliveira (1904–1985). [4]
Grows on average 160 cm, with a maximum of 230 cm already reported, has a tan, gray-brown or olive-gray color, with fourteen to twenty-one trapezoidal side marks that are dark gray or completely black, 23 to 29 lines of dorsal scale of the average body, with the belly usually white or cream with dark gray spots scattered, while juveniles have a white tail. It is terrestrial, of nocturnal habits. [5]
It is considered very defensive. [6] Its body is viscous, varying from medium to heavy, broad head, flattened in a lance when seen from above and distinct from the narrow neck, the snout is not elevated, the eyes are medium in size, with elliptical pupils vertically, while the scales back are keeled. [7] B. moojeni is viviparous. [1] Gestation lasts around four months, occurs once a year and 12 to 14 puppies are usually born. Live an average of 15 years. [8] It feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes and amphibians. [8]
B. moojeni is found in northern Argentina, eastern Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. [1]
The type locality is Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. [1] B. moojeni inhabits Araucaria moist forests and the Cerrado . [9]
In South America common names for B. moojeni include caiçaca, caissaca, caiçara, jacuruçu, and jararacão.
Its venom has hemolytic and proteolytic action. [10] B. moojeni venom contains a wide variety of enzymes, such as acidic phospholipase, base A phospholipase, metalloproteinases, serine proteinases, L-amino acid oxidase, and a myotoxin phospholipase A2. The myotoxin phospholipase A2 causes necrosis in muscle fibers, releasing creatine kinase. [11] Symptoms may include intense local pain, edema, muscular necrosis. The venom has an anticoagulant effect on the blood, makes the blood uncoagulable, causes severe hemorrhage and strokes. [12] [13]
Moojenactivase, a procoagulant metalloproteinase is capable to induce DIC with a high toxic potency, characterized by prolongation of Prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, consumption of fibrinogen and the plasma coagulation factors like Factor X and II, and thrombocytopenia, it also caused Intravascular hemolysis. [14] The venom has a lethal dose of 0.205 mg / kg for horses. [15] The average yield for an adult female is 335 mg, 63 mg for newborns, specimens from Minas Gerais, Brazil have been reported to be 118 mg, specimens from Argentina have a yield of 248.0 ± 37 mg. [7]
A serine protease was determined by de novo mass spectrometry-based sequencing. [16]
Cerastes cerastes, commonly known as the Saharan horned viper or the desert horned viper, is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of Northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. It is often easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. Three subspecies have been described.
Bothrops atrox — also known as the common lancehead, fer-de-lance, barba amarilla and mapepire balsain — is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the tropical lowlands of northern South America east of the Andes, as well as the Caribbean island of Trinidad. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops alternatus is a highly venomous pit viper species found in South America. Within its range, it is an important cause of snakebite. The specific name, alternatus, which is Latin for "alternating", is apparently a reference to the staggered markings along the body. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bothrops leucurus, commonly known as the whitetail lancehead or the Bahia lancehead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid. A female owned by YouTuber Venom Central is over six feet long.
The horned adder is a viper species. It is found in the arid region of southwest Africa, in Angola, Botswana, Namibia; South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It is easily distinguished by the presence of a single, large horn-like scale over each eye. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Echis ocellatus, known by the common names West African carpet viper and ocellated carpet viper, is a highly venomous species of viper endemic to West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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 Old Tupi îararaka. Within its geographic range, it is often abundant and is an important cause of snakebite. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Batroxobin, also known as reptilase, is a snake venom enzyme with Venombin A activity produced by Bothrops atrox and Bothrops moojeni, venomous species of pit viper found east of the Andes in South America. It is a hemotoxin which acts as a serine protease similarly to thrombin, and has been the subject of many medical studies as a replacement of thrombin. Different enzymes, isolated from different species of Bothrops, have been called batroxobin, but unless stated otherwise, this article covers the batroxobin produced by B. moojeni, as this is the most studied variety.
Bothrops insularis, commonly known as the golden lancehead, is a species of highly venomous pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is found exclusively on the island of Ilha da Queimada Grande, off the coast of São Paulo state, in Brazil. The common name of the species refers to the light yellowish-brown color of its underside and for its lance-like head shape that is characteristic of the genus Bothrops. There are no subspecies of B. insularis that are recognized as being valid. It is one of the most venomous snakes in Latin America.
Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is a medical condition caused by the effects of some snake and caterpillar venoms on the blood. Important coagulation factors are activated by the specific serine proteases in the venom and as they become exhausted, coagulopathy develops. Symptoms are consistent with uncontrolled bleeding. Diagnosis is made using blood tests that assess clotting ability along with recent history of envenomation. Treatment generally involves pressure dressing, confirmatory blood testing, and antivenom administration.
Cerastocytin is a thrombin-like serine protease in snake venom.
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.
Bothrops jararacussu, commonly known in English as the jararacussu, is a highly venomous pit viper species endemic to South America. It is one of the most dreaded snakes in South America and can grow up to 2.2 metres (7.2 ft).
Bothrops cotiara is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil and Argentina.
Bothrops erythromelas, commonly known as the Caatinga lancehead or the jararaca-da-seca, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Bothrops fonsecai, also known commonly as Fonseca's lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Bothrops lutzi, the Cerrado lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central eastern Brazil. Within the country, it can be found in states such as: Minas Gerais, Bahia, Goiás, Tocantins, Piauí, and Ceará. The South American viper has sparked an interest from the scientific community due to its venom, as it is believed to have some therapeutic potential. Scientists have found that the venom carried by B. lutzi has antibacterial and antiparasitic effects, which can help fight against microbial resistance by medical patients, as well as parasitic diseases like leishmaniosis and Chagas’ disease.
Bothrops venezuelensis, or the Venezuelan lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to South America.
Snakebite envenomation is considered a public health problem in Latin America, with an estimated 70,000 cases annually, but due to underreporting, these numbers may be even higher.