Bothrops venezuelensis

Last updated

Venezuelan lancehead
Bothrops venezuelensis by Danny Siwek.JPG
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. venezuelensis
Binomial name
Bothrops venezuelensis
Sandner-Montilla, 1952

Bothrops venezuelensis, or the Venezuelan lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. [1] It is endemic to South America. [2]

Contents

Toxicology

There is not much known about the dangerousness of the venom to humans, but potentially lethal envenoming is possible. The venom of B. venezuelensis contains procoagulants, [3] possibly also myotoxins and cytotoxic substances. [4] This species is associated with a high snakebite-related morbidity and mortality in Venezuela, there's a report of a patient bitten by a juvenile, he had local swelling, severe pain, endothelial damage, excessive fibrinolysis, and incoagulable blood within 1.5 hours after the bite. He also had AKI with macroscopic hematuria, fluid overload resulted in pulmonary edema, requiring intermittent ventilation and diuretic treatment with furosemide. [5]

Geographic range

It is found in Colombia and northern Venezuela.

The type locality is " 'Boca de Tigre', Serranía de El Avila, Distrito Federal, Venezuela ". [6]

Related Research Articles

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

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.

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

Bothrops lanceolatus — known as the fer-de-lance, Martinican pit viper, and Martinique lancehead — is a species of pit viper endemic to the Caribbean island of Martinique. Some reserve the common name fer-de-lance for this species, while others apply that name to other Bothrops species as well. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<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 ὄψ, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell's viper</span> Species of venomous snake

Russell's viper is a highly venomous snake in the family Viperidae native to South Asia. It was described in 1797 by George Shaw and Frederick Polydore Nodder. It is named after Patrick Russell and is one of the big four snakes in India.

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

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.

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

The terciopelo is a species of pit vipers, found in Central to South Americas. At low to moderate elevations, its habitat ranges from northeastern Mexico to Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes, as well as Venezuela. With a mass of up to 6 kilograms (13 lb), and a maximal length of 2.5 metres (8.2 ft), the terciopelo is among the largest vipers. It is light to dark brown in color, often with yellowish, zig-zag patterning on either side of its body. Dubbed "the ultimate pit-viper" for its defensiveness, large size, fangs and potent venom yield, it has a fearsome reputation, responsible for the most envenomated snakebites within its range, largely due to its proximity to humans, livestock and pets. Nonetheless, like all venomous snakes, the terciopelo actively avoids contact with humans and larger animals, with bites generally only occurring when the snake is cornered, pursued, or threatened. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Atheris</i> Genus of venomous vipers of tropical Africa

Atheris is a genus of 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. Like all other vipers, they are venomous. 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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horned adder</span> Species of snake

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.

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

Bothrops barnetti, also known commonly as Barnett's lancehead and Barnett's pit viper, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Peru. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

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

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden lancehead</span> Species of snake

Bothrops insularis, commonly known as the golden lancehead, is a highly venomous pit viper species found exclusively on the Ilha da Queimada Grande, off the coast of São Paulo state, in Brazil. The species is named for the light yellowish-brown color of its underside and for its head shape that is characteristic of the genus Bothrops. No subspecies of Bothrops insularis are currently recognized. It is one of the most venomous snakes in Latin America.

<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>Bothrops punctatus</i> Species of snake

Bothrops punctatus is a venomous pitviper species found in Ecuador, Mostly in the Chocó Department in Western Colombia and Panama. No subspecies are currently recognized.

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

Bothrops brazili is a venomous pitviper species endemic to South America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

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

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.

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

Bothrops moojeni, commonly known in English as the Brazilian lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is a pit viper endemic to South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snakebite in Latin America</span> Snake Attacks Causing Health Concern

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.

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. "Bothrops". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 3 November 2006.
  3. DocCheck Flexikon: Bothrops venezuelensis (German)
  4. WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources: Bothrops venezuelensis
  5. Fuchs, Joan; Faber, Katrin; Tuchscherer, Daniel T.; Tsakiris, Dimitrios A.; Weiler, Stefan; Hofer, Katharina E. (June 2020). "Bite by a juvenile Bothrops venezuelensis (Venezuelan lancehead) resulting in severe envenomation: A case report". Toxicon. 180: 39–42. Bibcode:2020Txcn..180...39F. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.04.002. ISSN   1879-3150. PMID   32289355. S2CID   215774082.
  6. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Bothrops venezuelensis at Wikimedia Commons