Atheris nitschei

Atheris nitschei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Atheris
Species: A. nitschei
Binomial name
Atheris nitschei
Tornier, 1902
Synonyms
  • Atheris nitschei Tornier, 1902
  • Atheris woosnami Boulenger, 1906
  • Atheris nitschei — Boulenger, 1915
  • Atheris nitschei nitschei
    — Bogert, 1940
  • [Atheris] nitschei — Broadley, 1996[1]
Common names: Great Lakes bush viper, Nitsche's bush viper,[2][3] more.

Atheris nitschei is a venomous viper species found in Africa from Uganda and adjacent DR Congo in the north to northern Malawi in the south. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[4]

Etymology

The specific name, nitschei, is in honor of German zoologist Hinrich Nitsche,(1845-1902).[5]

Description

Atheris nitschei

It is a relatively large and stout bush viper, growing to an average total length (body + tail) of 63 cm (25 in) and a maximum total length of at least 73 cm (29 in). The males are smaller than the females.

Common names

Great Lakes bush viper, Nitsche's bush viper,[2][3] black and green bush viper, Nitsche's tree viper.[6] sedge viper, green viper, bush viper.[7]

Geographic range

Central Africa from east DR Congo, Uganda and west Tanzania southward to north Malawi and north Zambia.

The type locality is listed as "Mpororosumpf, Deutsch-Ost-Afrika" [Mpororo swamp, Tanzania-Rwanda border].[1]

Habitat

Found in wetland and meadow areas, and elephant grass marshes, along small streams, sometimes in scrub and bush in valleys at higher elevations, and in mountain forests up to the bamboo zone at 1,600–2,800 m (5,200–9,200 ft) altitude. Common in papyrus reed around small lakes.[3]

Subspecies

Subspecies[1] Taxon author[1] Common name[2] Geographic range[2]
A. n. nitsche Tornier, 1902 Great Lakes bush viper Uganda, northwest Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo (Kivo and Shaba Provinces)
A. n. rungweensis Bogert, 1940 Rungwe tree viper Scattered locations from southwest Tanzania to northeast Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in north Malawi

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 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 4 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  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. ↑ "Atheris nitschei". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 July 2006.
  5. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 312 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Atheris nitschei, p. 191.)
  6. ↑ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  7. ↑ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.

Further reading

External links

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