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]
| Atheris rungweensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. rungweensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris rungweensis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Taxonomy
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]
Description
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]
Distribution and habitate
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]
References
Further reading
- Bogert CM. 1940. Herpetological Results of the Vernay Angola Expedition, with Notes on the African Reptiles in Other Collections. Part I. — Snakes, Including an Arrangement of African Colubridae. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. 77: 1-107 + Plate I. ("Atheris nitschei rungweensis, new species", pp. 104–106, Figure 18).