Atheris anisolepis

Atheris anisolepis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Atheris
Species:
A. anisolepis
Binomial name
Atheris anisolepis
Mocquard, 1887
Synonyms
  • Atheris squamigera anisolepis Bogert, 1940

Atheris anisolepis, otherwise known as the Mayombe bush-viper,[1][2][3] is a species of viper endemic to west-central Africa.[1][2][4] No subspecies are currently recognized.[2][3] The Atheris anisolepis is very similar to the Atheris squamigera but it is differentiated by the complete row of scales between the supralabial scales and the ocular scales as well as having enlarged, smooth, and/or weekly keeled scales. However, this differentiation does not always apply and may not always be accurate.[5]

Distribution

[edit]

Atheris anisolepis is found in southern Gabon, southern Congo, and western Democratic Republic of Congo.[1][2] It might be present in northern Angola,[1] but was not listed as present by Marques and colleagues (2018).[6]

Habitat

[edit]

Atheris anisolepis is an arboreal snake[1][2] that is found in drier areas of shrub and woodland-savanna at elevations below 400 m (1,300 ft).[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kusamba, C.; Chirio, L.; Chippaux, J.-P.; Zassi-Boulou, A.-G. (2021). "Atheris anisolepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T120692929A120907473. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T120692929A120907473.en. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Atheris anisolepis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Atheris anisolepis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  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).
  5. ^ Lawson, D. P., & Ustach, P. C. (2000). A Redescription of Atheris squamigera (Serpentes: Viperidae) with Comments on the Validity of Atheris anisolepis. Journal of Herpetology, 34(3), 386–389. https://doi.org/10.2307/1565361
  6. ^ Marques, M. P.; Ceríaco, L. M. P.; Blackburn, D. C. & Bauer, A. M. (2018). "Diversity and distribution of the amphibians and terrestrial reptiles of Angola. Atlas of historical and bibliographic records (1840–2017)" (PDF). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 4th Series. 65 (Suppl. II): 1–501.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Lawson DP, Ustach PC. 2000. A redescription of Atheris squamigera (Serpentes: Viperidae) with comments on the validity of Atheris anisolepis. Journal of Herpetology (Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles) 34 (3): 386–389.
  • Golay P, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, McCarthy CJ, Rage J-C, Schätti B, Toriba M. 1993. Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World: A Checklist. Geneva: Azemiops. 478 pp.
  • Mocquard F. 1887. Sur les Ophidiens rapportés du Congo par la Mission de Brazza. Bull. Soc. Philomath., Paris, Series 7, 11: 62–92.
    ("Atheris anisolepis, n. sp.", pp. 89–92.)