Bitis parviocula

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Bitis parviocula
Viperidae - Bitis parviocula.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bitis
Species:
B. parviocula
Binomial name
Bitis parviocula
Böhme, 1977 [1]
Bitis parviocula distribution.png
Common name: Bale Mountains adder, [2] Ethiopian mountain adder, [3] [4] Ethiopian viper, [5] Ethiopian mountain viper. [6]

Bitis parviocula is a venomous viper species found only in Ethiopia. [2] It is large with a broad head and spectacular geometric markings. In 1995, the species was known from only three specimens, but additional information has surfaced since then. Little is known about its natural history or its venom. [7] No subspecies are currently recognized. [2]

Contents

The first specimen known to science was a road kill on the east side of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia. [8]

Etymology

The specific name, parviocula, meaning "small-eyed", is derived from the Latin words parvus, meaning "small", and oculus, meaning "eye". [9]

Description

Of the first three specimens, the maximum recorded total length (body + tail) was 75.2 cm (29.6 in), [4] but it is now known to reach a total length of at least 130 cm (51 in). [7] The head is long, flat, triangular and covered with small, strongly keeled scales. The nostrils are large and set well forward. The head is distinct from the thin neck. The body is cylindrical with a slight vertebral ridge, while the tail is short. The dorsal scales are keeled and are arranged in 37–39 rows at midbody. [4]

The color pattern consists of a light brown to dark brown ground color, overlaid with a series of black hexagons or diamonds that run down the center of the back. The black hexagons may have paler crossbars, while being separated from each other by a chain of yellow butterfly shapes. A series of black triangular or subtriangular spots, each with a white center, run down the upper flanks. The lower flanks have a series of greenish-gray triangles, pointing upwards, with yellow edges, especially the tips. The flanks between these triangles are a mottled green color. The head is brown with a dark triangle between the eyes and a dark hammer shape just behind it that extends onto the nape of the neck. The iris is brown. The side of the head is dark, but with a pale stripe that runs from the eye down to the labials. The upper labial scales are white. The chin and throat are white with black speckling. The belly is greenish-gray and may be clear, or with black speckling. [4]

Geographic range

Known from only five localities in Ethiopia, it is found on both sides of the Rift Valley, both in the Bale Mountains [10] to the east and between Bonga and Jimma to the west. [6] It has been collected at altitudes of 1,700–2,800 metres (5,600–9,200 ft). [7]

The type locality is given as "Doki River bridge ( 8°20′N35°56′E / 8.333°N 35.933°E / 8.333; 35.933 ), bei Yambo (=Yembo), an der Straße von Metu nach Bedelle, Provinz Illubabor, SW-Äthiopien" [Ethiopia]. [1] [4]

Habitat

Of the three specimens known in 1995, two were found in forested areas west of the Rift Valley and one was found in grassland to the east. Of the two western specimens, one was caught in a forest clearing in an old coffee plantation, while the other was found in a forest town, hiding in grass of the grounds of a brewery. The eastern specimen was found in high grassland near a rocky stream. [3] [4]

Behavior

Mostly unknown, its behavior is assumed to be terrestrial and nocturnal. In 1995, the only living specimen known was less irritable than the typical puff adder ( B. arietans ) and was not inclined to strike. However, it hissed when teased and struggled "furiously" when restrained, suggesting its temperament may be similar to that of the Gaboon viper ( B. gabonica ). [4] There has been reproduction of these snakes in captivity. [11]

Venom

Until recently, the toxicity and composition of the venom essentially was unknown. [12] It is assumed to cause at least some of the bites reported in the densely populated regions where it occurs. The local people consider it very dangerous. [3] The first US envenomation of a person was in March 2009 when a herpetologist from Texas was bitten in the finger by a young, captive B. parviocula, which he survived. It is the only well-documented bite report of this snake. The venom of this species can be neutralized by SAIMR antivenom. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaboon viper</span> Species of snake

The Gaboon viper, also called the Gaboon adder, is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and 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.

<i>Bitis</i> Genus of snakes

Bitis is a genus of venomous vipers found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It includes the largest and the smallest vipers in the world. Members are known for their characteristic threat displays that involve inflating and deflating their bodies while hissing and puffing loudly. The type species for this genus is B. arietans, which is also the most widely distributed viper in Africa. Currently, 18 species are recognized.

<i>Bitis nasicornis</i> Species of snake

Bitis nasicornis is a viper species belonging to the genus Bitis, part of a subfamily known as "puff-adders", 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. Its common names include butterfly viper, rhinoceros viper, river jack and many more. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

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

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<i>Causus</i> Genus of snakes

Causus is a genus of vipers found only in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a group considered to be among the most primitive members of the family Viperidae based on head scalation, oviparity, venom apparatus, and because they have round pupils. However, this is contradicted by recent molecular studies. Seven species are currently recognized. They are commonly known as night adders. Like all other vipers, they are venomous.

<i>Atheris nitschei</i> Species of snake

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

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

The many-horned adder is a viper species. It is found in certain rocky desert areas, mostly along the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, in western South Africa and southwestern Namibia. It has characteristic tufts of "horns" above each eye. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.

The Albany adder is a viper species. It was previously considered a subspecies of Bitis cornuta. Its range is restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous.

<i>Bitis heraldica</i> Species of snake

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<i>Bitis inornata</i> Species of snake

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<i>Bitis peringueyi</i> Species of snake

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

The red adder is a viper species found only in Western Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognised. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

<i>Bitis worthingtoni</i> Species of snake

Bitis worthingtoni, also known commonly as the Kenya horned viper and the Kenyan horned viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Kenya. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

<i>Bitis xeropaga</i> Species of snake

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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.

<i>Echis pyramidum</i> Venomous snake, a carpet viper

Echis pyramidum, known as the Northeast African carpet viper, Egyptian saw-scaled viper, and by other common names, is a species of viper endemic to Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Causus rhombeatus</i> Species of snake

Causus rhombeatus, commonly known as the rhombic night adder, is a viper species endemic to subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Persian horned viper</span> Species of snake

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References

  1. 1 2 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).
  2. 1 2 3 Bitis parviocula at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Sanibel Island, Florida:Ralph Curtis Books / Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN   0-88359-029-8.
  5. ↑ Clinical Toxinology Resources. The University of Adelaide, Australia. http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&mode=PrintFriendly&1d=SN0208.
  6. 1 2 Böhme W (2010). [A review of our knowledge of the rare Ethiopian Mountain Viper, Bitis parviocula Böhme, 1977]. 3rd Biology of the Vipers Conference – Calci, Pisa, 31 March–2 April 2010. p. 47.
  7. 1 2 3 Largen MJ, Spawls S (2010). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Frankfurt am Main: Edition Chimara / Serpents Tale. 694 pp. ISBN   978-3-89973-466-9
  8. ↑ Böhme W (1977).
  9. ↑ Ullman, B.L.; Henry, Norman E. (1931). New Elementary Latin. New York: Macmillan. 448 pp. + indices.
  10. ↑ Gower, David J., Edward OZ Wade, Stephen Spawls, W. O. L. F. G. A. N. G. Böhme, Evan R. Buechley, Daniel Sykes, and Timothy J. Colston. "A new large species of Bitis Gray, 1842 (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia." Zootaxa 4093, no. 1 (2016): 41-63.
  11. ↑ Kane, Daniel, Benjamin Tapley, Kimberley Carter, and Christopher Michaels. "Reproduction of the Ethiopian Mountain Adder, Bitis parviocula Böhme, 1976 (Reptilia: Viperidae), at ZSL London Zoo." Herpetology Notes 15 (2022): 423-429.
  12. 1 2 Sánchez, Elda E.; Hotle, Doug; Rodríguez-Acosta, Alexis (2011). "Neutralization of Bitis parviocula (Ethiopian mountain adder) venom by the South African Institute of Medical Research (SAIMR) antivenom". Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 53 (4): 213–217. doi: 10.1590/S0036-46652011000400007 . PMC   3304453 . PMID   21915465.

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