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{{Short description|Genus of snakes}}
{{Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| image =
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| display_parents = 2
| subphylum = [[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]
⚫
| genus = Montatheris
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
⚫
| parent_authority = [[:fr:Donald George Broadley|Broadley]], 1996
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
⚫
| species = hindii
| subordo = [[Serpentes]]
⚫
| authority = ([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1910)
| familia = [[Viperidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Viperinae]]
⚫
| genus = '''''Montatheris'''''
⚫
| genus_authority = [[:fr:Donald George Broadley|Broadley]], 1996
⚫
| species = '''''M. hindii'''''
| binomial = ''Montatheris hindii''
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1910)
| synonyms = '''Genus synonymy'''
| synonyms = '''Genus synonymy'''
* ''Vipera'' <small>Laurenti, 1768</small> (part)
*''Vipera'' {{small|[[Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti|Laurenti]], 1768}} (part)
* ''Bitis'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842</small> (part)
*''Bitis'' {{small|[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842}} (part)
* ''Atheris'' <small>[[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1862</small> (part)
*''Atheris'' {{small|[[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1862}} (part)
* ''Hindius'' <small>[[:fr:Albert Franz Theodor Reuss|A.F.T. Reuss]], 1939</small> (''[[nomen nudum]]'')
*''Hindius'' {{small|[[species:Albert Franz Theodor Reuss|A.F.T. Reuss]], 1939}} (''[[nomen nudum]]'')
* ''Montatheris'' <small>Broadley, 1996</small><ref name="McD99">McDiarmid RW, [[Jonathan A. Campbell|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).</ref>
*''Montatheris'' {{small|[[Donald George Broadley|Broadley]], 1996}}<ref name=McD99>[[species:Roy Wallace McDiarmid|McDiarmid RW]], [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], [[species:T'Shaka A. Touré|Touré TA]] (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).</ref>
----
----
'''Species synonymy'''
'''Species synonymy'''
* ''Vipera hindii'' <small>Boulenger, 1910</small>
*''Vipera hindii'' <br/>{{small|Boulenger, 1910}}
* ''V''[''ipera'']. ''hindei'' <br><small>&mdash; [[Ernst Schwarz|Schwarz]], 1936</small>
*''V''[''ipera'']. ''hindei'' <br/>{{small|— [[Ernst Schwarz (zoologist)|Schwarz]], 1936}}
* ''Hindius hindii'' <br><small>&mdash; A.F.T. Reuss, 1939</small><br>(''nomen nudum'')
*''Hindius hindii'' <br/>{{small|— A.F.T. Reuss, 1939}} <br/>(''nomen nudum'')
* ''Bitis hindii'' <small>&mdash; [[Eugen Kramer|Kramer]], 1961</small>
*''Bitis hindii'' <br/>{{small|— [[species:Eugen Kramer|Kramer]], 1961}}
* ''Atheris hindii'' <br><small>&mdash; [[:fr:Hymen Marx|Marx]] & [[George B. Rabb|Rabb]], 1965</small>
*''Atheris hindii'' <br/>{{small|— [[Hymen Marx|Marx]] & [[George B. Rabb|Rabb]], 1965}}
* ''Montatheris hindii'' <br><small>&mdash; Broadley, 1996</small><ref name="McD99"/>
*''Montatheris hindii'' <br/>{{small|— Broadley, 1996}}<ref name=McD99/>
}}
}}
:'''''Common names''': Kenya mountain viper,<ref name="Mal03">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.</ref> Kenya montane viper,<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, [[William Roy "Bill" Branch|Branch B]]. 1995. ''The Dangerous Snakes of Africa''. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref> montane viper,<ref name="WOA">{{WOA|page=hindii|subject=''Montatheris hindii''|date=9 September|year=2007}}</ref> Hind's viper.<ref name="Meh87">Mehrtens JM. 1987. ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.</ref>''


'''''Montatheris''''' is a [[monotypic]] [[genus]] created for the [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]], ''M. hindii''. This is a small [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] species [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Kenya]]. No [[subspecies]] are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634426 |taxon=''Montatheris hindii'' |accessdate=31 July 2006}}</ref>
'''''Montatheris''''' is a [[Monotypic taxon|monotypic]] [[genus]] created for the [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]], '''''Montatheris hindii''''', a [[venomous snake]] also known by the [[common name]]s '''Kenya mountain viper''',<ref name="Mal03">[[species:David Mallow|Mallow D]], [[species:David Ludwig|Ludwig D]], [[species:Göran Nilson|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}}.</ref> '''Kenya montane viper''',<ref name="SB95">[[species:Stephen Spawls|Spawls S]], [[William Roy Branch|Branch B]] (1995). ''The Dangerous Snakes of Africa''. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-029-8}}.</ref> '''montane viper''',<ref name="WOA">{{WOA|page=hindii|subject=''Montatheris hindii''|date=9 September|year=2007}}</ref> and '''Hind's viper'''.<ref name="Meh87">[[species:John M. Mehrtens|Mehrtens JM]] (1987). ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. {{ISBN|0-8069-6460-X}}.</ref> This is a small [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] species [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Kenya]]. There are no [[subspecies]] which are recognized as being valid.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS|id=634426|taxon=''Montatheris hindii ''|accessdate=31 July 2006}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''hindii'', is in honor of [[Sidney Langford Hinde]], a British military medical officer and [[naturalist]].<ref>Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. 2011. ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (''Montatheris hindii'', p. 124).</ref>
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''hindii'', is in honor of [[Sidney Langford Hinde]], a British military medical officer and [[naturalist]].<ref>[[species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]]; [[species:Michael Watkins|Watkins, Michael]]; [[species:Michael Grayson|Grayson, Michael]] (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Montatheris hindii'', p. 124).</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
This is a small species reaching an average total length (body + tail) of {{convert|20|-|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a maximum total length of about {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The head is elongated and not very distinct from the neck, while the eyes are small and set in a rather forwards position. The [[dorsal scales]] are strongly [[Keeled scales|keeled]].<ref name="Mal03"/>
''M. hindii'' is a small species reaching an average total length (including tail) of {{convert|20|-|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a maximum total length of about {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The head is elongated and not very distinct from the neck, while the eyes are small and set in a rather forwards position. The [[dorsal scales]] are strongly [[Keeled scales|keeled]].<ref name="Mal03"/>


==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
It is known only from isolated populations at high altitudes on [[Mount Kenya]] and the moorlands of the [[Kinangop Plateau]], [[Aberdare Range|Aberdare]] Mountains.
''M. hindii'' is known only from isolated populations at high elevations on [[Mount Kenya]] and the moorlands of the [[Kinangop Plateau]], [[Aberdare Range|Aberdare]] Mountains.


The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] listed is "Fort Hall, Kenya District, 4000 ft.". Since Fort Hall is at an altitude of only 4000 feet (1219 m), [[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge]] (1957) questioned whether this was accurate.<ref name="McD99"/><ref name="SB95"/>
The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] listed is "Fort Hall, Kenya District, 4000 ft." Since [[Murang'a|Fort Hall]] is at an altitude of only 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), [[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge]] (1957) questioned whether this was accurate.<ref name=McD99/><ref name="SB95"/>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
It occurs at high altitudes of {{convert|2700|-|3800|m|ft|abbr=on}} in treeless [[moorland]]s. It favors clumps of [[Tussock (grass)|bunch grass]] for cover.<ref name="SB95"/>
''M. hindii'' occurs at high elevations of {{convert|2700|-|3800|m|ft|abbr=on}} in treeless [[moorland]]s. It favors clumps of [[Tussock (grass)|bunch grass]] for cover.<ref name="SB95"/>


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
A [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] species. Because of the low nighttime temperatures in its native habitat, it is only active during the day and when there is enough sunlight to warm its environment.<ref name="SB95"/>
A [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] species, because of the low nighttime temperatures in its native habitat, ''M. hindii'' is only active during the day and when there is enough sunlight to warm its environment.<ref name="SB95"/>


==Feeding==
==Feeding==
It feeds on [[chameleon]]s, [[skink]]s, and small [[frog]]s. It may also take small [[rodent]]s.<ref name="Spa04">Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2004. ''A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa''. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.</ref>
''M. hindii'' feeds on [[chameleon]]s, [[skink]]s, and small [[frog]]s. It may also take small [[rodent]]s.<ref name="Spa04">Spawls S, [[species:Kim Monroe Howell|Howell K]], [[species:Robert Clifton Drewes|Drewes R]], [[species:James Ashe|Ashe J]] (2004). ''A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa''. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd. 543 pp. {{ISBN|0-7136-6817-2}}.</ref>


==Reproduction==
==Reproduction==
This species is apparently [[viviparous]] ([[ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]]). One wild-caught female produced two young in late January,<ref name="SB95"/> while another gave birth to three in May. The total length of each newborn was {{convert|10|-|13|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Mal03"/>
This species, ''M. hindii'', is apparently [[viviparous]] ([[ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]]). One wild-caught female produced two young in late January,<ref name="SB95"/> while another gave birth to three in May. The total length of each newborn was {{convert|10|-|13|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Mal03"/>

==See also==
* [[List of viperine species and subspecies]]
* {{c|Viperinae by common name}}
* {{c|Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms}}
* [[Snakebite]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
<div class="references-small">
* [[:de:Claes Andrén|Andrén C]]. 1976. The reptile fauna in the lower alpine zone of Aberdare Mountains and Mt. Kenya. ''British Journal of Herpetology'' '''5''' (7): 566-575.
*[[species:Claes Andrén|Andrén C]] (1976). "The reptile fauna in the lower alpine zone of Aberdare Mountains and Mt. Kenya". ''British Journal of Herpetology'' '''5''' (7): 566-575.
* [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]]. 1910. Descriptions of Four new African Snakes in the British Museum. ''Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Eighth Series'' '''5''': 512-513. (''Vipera hindii'', p. 513).
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1910). "Descriptions of Four new African Snakes in the British Museum". ''Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Eighth Series'' '''5''': 512-513. (''Vipera hindii'', new species, p.&nbsp;513).
* [[:fr:Hymen Marx|Marx H]], [[George B. Rabb|Rabb GB]]. 1965. Relationships and Zoogeography of the Viperine Snakes (Family Viperidae). ''Field Zoology'' '''44''' (21): 161-206.
*[[Donald George Broadley|Broadley DG]] (1996). "A review of the tribe Atherini (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the descriptions of two new genera". ''African Journal of Herpetology'' '''45''' (2): 40-48. (''Montatheris'', new genus).
*[[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge A]] (1957). "Check List of the Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa (Uganda ; Kenya ; Tanganyika ; Zanzibar)". ''Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College'' '''117''' (2): 151-362. (''Vipera hindii'', pp.&nbsp;300–301).
* [[:fr:Donald George Broadley|Broadley DG]]. 1996. A review of the tribe Atherini (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the descriptions of two new genera. ''African Journal of Herpetology'' '''45''' (2): 40-48.
*[[Hymen Marx|Marx H]], [[George B. Rabb|Rabb GB]] (1965). "Relationships and Zoogeography of the Viperine Snakes (Family Viperidae)". ''Fieldiana: Zoology'' '''44''' (21): 161-206.
</div>

{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{NRDB species|genus=Montatheris|species=hindii|date=9 September|year=2007}}
* {{NRDB species|genus=Montatheris|species=hindii|date=9 September|year=2007}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q614909}}

[[Category:Endemic fauna of Kenya]]
[[Category:Viperinae]]
[[Category:Viperinae]]
[[Category:Monotypic snake genera]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1910]]

Latest revision as of 01:09, 13 March 2024

Montatheris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Montatheris
Broadley, 1996
Species:
M. hindii
Binomial name
Montatheris hindii
(Boulenger, 1910)
Synonyms

Genus synonymy

Species synonymy

  • Vipera hindii
    Boulenger, 1910
  • V[ipera]. hindei
    — Schwarz, 1936
  • Hindius hindii
    — A.F.T. Reuss, 1939
    (nomen nudum)
  • Bitis hindii
    — Kramer, 1961
  • Atheris hindii
    — Marx & Rabb, 1965
  • Montatheris hindii
    — Broadley, 1996[1]

Montatheris is a monotypic genus created for the viper species, Montatheris hindii, a venomous snake also known by the common names Kenya mountain viper,[2] Kenya montane viper,[3] montane viper,[4] and Hind's viper.[5] This is a small terrestrial species endemic to Kenya. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid.[6]

Etymology

[edit]

The specific name, hindii, is in honor of Sidney Langford Hinde, a British military medical officer and naturalist.[7]

Description

[edit]

M. hindii is a small species reaching an average total length (including tail) of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) and a maximum total length of about 35 cm (14 in). The head is elongated and not very distinct from the neck, while the eyes are small and set in a rather forwards position. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled.[2]

Geographic range

[edit]

M. hindii is known only from isolated populations at high elevations on Mount Kenya and the moorlands of the Kinangop Plateau, Aberdare Mountains.

The type locality listed is "Fort Hall, Kenya District, 4000 ft." Since Fort Hall is at an altitude of only 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), Loveridge (1957) questioned whether this was accurate.[1][3]

Habitat

[edit]

M. hindii occurs at high elevations of 2,700–3,800 m (8,900–12,500 ft) in treeless moorlands. It favors clumps of bunch grass for cover.[3]

Behavior

[edit]

A terrestrial species, because of the low nighttime temperatures in its native habitat, M. hindii is only active during the day and when there is enough sunlight to warm its environment.[3]

Feeding

[edit]

M. hindii feeds on chameleons, skinks, and small frogs. It may also take small rodents.[8]

Reproduction

[edit]

This species, M. hindii, is apparently viviparous (ovoviviparous). One wild-caught female produced two young in late January,[3] while another gave birth to three in May. The total length of each newborn was 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in).[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (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. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. ^ Montatheris hindii at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 9 September 2007.
  5. ^ Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  6. ^ "Montatheris hindii ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 31 July 2006.
  7. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Montatheris hindii, p. 124).
  8. ^ Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J (2004). A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Andrén C (1976). "The reptile fauna in the lower alpine zone of Aberdare Mountains and Mt. Kenya". British Journal of Herpetology 5 (7): 566-575.
  • Boulenger GA (1910). "Descriptions of Four new African Snakes in the British Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Eighth Series 5: 512-513. (Vipera hindii, new species, p. 513).
  • Broadley DG (1996). "A review of the tribe Atherini (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the descriptions of two new genera". African Journal of Herpetology 45 (2): 40-48. (Montatheris, new genus).
  • Loveridge A (1957). "Check List of the Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa (Uganda ; Kenya ; Tanganyika ; Zanzibar)". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 117 (2): 151-362. (Vipera hindii, pp. 300–301).
  • Marx H, Rabb GB (1965). "Relationships and Zoogeography of the Viperine Snakes (Family Viperidae)". Fieldiana: Zoology 44 (21): 161-206.
[edit]
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