Atheris katangensis
Atheris katangensis, also known as the Katanga Mountain bush viper and other common names, is a species of venomous viper found in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Zambia. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
| Atheris katangensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. katangensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris katangensis | |
Description
It attains a maximum total length (body + tail) of only 40 cm (16 in), making this the smallest member of the genus Atheris.[4]
The head is flat, triangular, distinct from the neck, and covered with small keeled scales. The snout is rounded. Midbody there are 24–31 rows of dorsal scales. The tail is short. Males and females have 45–59 and 38–42 subcaudal scales respectively.[4]
The color pattern consists of a purple-brown or yellow-brown ground color, overlaid with paired dorsolateral lines of a contrasting shade. These lines may break into a zigzag pattern and run from head to tail. The belly is yellowish, as is the tip of the tail.[4]
Common names
Atheris katangensis is also known as the Shaba bush viper,[4][5] Katanga Mountain bush viper,[3] Upemba bush viper, Katanga bush viper,[6] and the Katanga tree viper.[7]
Geographic range
It is found in the Upemba National Park, Katanga Province (Shaba Province) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Zambia.[3]
The type locality given is "Mubale-Munte (région du confluent), sous-affluent de la rive droite de la Lufira [alt. 1480], Park National de l'Upemba".[2]
Their habitat consists of gallery forest along rivers at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,500 meters (about 4,000–5,000 ft).[5]
References
- Kusamba, C. (2021). "Atheris katangensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T44980140A44980144. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T44980140A44980144.en. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- 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).
- Atheris katangensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 September 2021.
- 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.
- Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- Atheris katangensis at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 8 September 2007.
- 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
- de Witte G-F. 1953. Exploration du Parc National de l'Upemba. Mission G.F. de Witte en collaboration avec W. Adam, A. Janssens, L. van Meel et R. Verheyen (1946–1949). Fascicule 6: Reptiles. Brussels: Institut des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge. 322 pp. + 111 figures, 38 plates, 3 color plates, 1 map. (Atheris katangensis, p. 301).