Atheris matildae
| Atheris matildae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. matildae |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris matildae Menegon, Davenport & Howell, 2011 | |
Atheris matildae, also known as Matilda's horned viper, is a species of arboreal forest viper endemic to Tanzania.
Discovery
It was discovered in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania during a 2010–2011 biological survey. The exact location of the viper is unspecified, to protect it from being collected for the illegal pet trade.[1] The snake was described as a new species on December 6, 2011, in a study published in the journal, Zootaxa. A captive breeding colony has already been established by the authors of the study.[1]
Behavior
The species is most likely a nocturnal hunter, waiting by streams to ambush frogs.
Description
It resembles Atheris ceratophora, the Usambara bush viper.[2][3]
Conservation status
Matilda's horned viper occupies only a small area further threatened by logging and charcoal production.
Origin of name
A. matildae was named after Matilda, the daughter of Tim Davenport, the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Tanzania and a member of the three-person team to have discovered the snake.[4]
References
- 1 2 "New viper snake species found". BBC News. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ theherismatildae.org/ Atherismatildae.org
- ↑ New large, horned viper discovered in Tanzania The Citizen Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ New snake in Tanzania: 'Fierce, probably venomous' Yahoo News Retrieved 11 January 2012.
Further reading
- Menegon M, Davenport TRB, Howell KM. 2011. Description of a new and critically endangered species of Atheris (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, with an overview of the country's tree viper fauna. Zootaxa 3120: 43-54. (Atheris matildae sp. nov.)