Atheris hispida: Difference between revisions

Atheris hispida
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Atheris
Species:	A. hispida
Binomial name
	Atheris hispida; Laurent, 1955
Synonyms
	Atheris squamigera Schmidt, 1923 (part); Atheris squamiger de Witte, 1933 (part); Atheris squamigera squamigera de Witte, 1941 (part); Atheris hispida Laurent, 1955; Atheris hispida Meirte, 1992;

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Atheris hispida is a viper species endemic to Central Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is known for its extremely keeled dorsal scales that give it a bristly appearance.^[3] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4] Common names include rough-scaled bush viper, spiny bush viper,^[5]^[3] hairy bush viper,^[3]^[6] and others.

Description

The males of this species grow to maximum total length of 73 cm (29 in): body 58 cm (23 in), tail 15 cm (5.9 in). Females grow to a maximum total length of 58 cm (23 in). The males are surprisingly long and slender compared to the females.^[3]

The head has a short snout, more so in males than in females. The eyes are large and surrounded by 9–16 circumorbital scales. The orbits (eyes) are separated by 7–9 scales. The nostril is like a slit and separated from the eye by two scales. The eye and the supralabials are separated by a single row of scales. The supralabials number 7-10, of which the fourth is enlarged.^[3] The body is covered with elongated, heavily keeled dorsal scales that give this animal a unique 'shaggy' look, almost bristly in appearance. The scales around the head and neck are the longest, decreasing posteriorly. Midbody, the dorsal scales are in 15–19 rows. There are 149–166 ventral scales and 35–64 subcaudals. The anal scale is single.^[5]^[3]

Common Names

Rough-scaled bush viper, spiny bush viper ^[5]^[3] hairy bush viper,^[3]^[6] rough-scaled tree viper,^[6] African hairy bush viper,^[7] hairy viper.^[8]

Geographic range

Central and East Africa: northern and eastern DR Congo, southwestern Uganda, west Kenya, and northwestern Tanzania. The type locality given is "Lutunguru, Kivu" (DR Congo).^[7]

More specifically, Spawls & Branch (1995) describe the distribution as isolated populations in Kivu and Orientale Provinces in DR Congo, southeastern Ruwenzori in Uganda and the Kakamega Forest in western Kenya.^[5]

Behavior

Capable of climbing reeds and stalks, this species is often found basking on top of flowers and terminal leaves. Mostly nocturnal.^[8]

Feeding

Feeds on mammals, frogs, lizards, and sometimes birds. Sometimes hunts for mammalian prey on the ground.^[8]

Reproduction

Females give birth to up to 12 young at a time. Newborns are about 15 cm (5.9 in) in total length.^[8]

Venom

Not much is known about their venom except that it is mainly neurotoxic. Besides the neurotoxins, they also carry cytotoxins and fasciculins. Toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors, including geographical region. Even the weather and altitude can influence toxicity (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). A bite can be fatal to humans without access to proper first aid and subsequent antivenom treatment. Until recently, their venom has often been regarded as less toxic than that of many other species, perhaps because bites are uncommon, but this turned out not to be the case. There are now a number of reports of bites that have led to severe hemorrhaging of internal organs.

References

^ Kusamba, C.; Branch, W.R.; Wagner, P.; Beraduccii, J. & Chippaux, J.-P. (2021). "Atheris hispida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T44980127A44980134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T44980127A44980134.en. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
^ 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 1-893-77700-6 (series). ISBN 1-893-77701-4 (volume).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h 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 0-894-64877-2.
^ "Atheris hispida". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press (Ralph Curtis Books). p. 192. ISBN 0-883-59029-8.
^ ^a ^b ^c Atheris hispida at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 8 September 2007.
^ ^a ^b Atheris hispida at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 January 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. p. 480. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Species of beans}}
+{{Short description|Species of snake}}
 {{Speciesbox
 | image = Atheris hispida.jpg
+| status = LC
+| status_system = IUCN3.1
+| status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn|author=Kusamba, C.|author2= Branch, W.R.|author3= Wagner, P.|author4= Beraduccii, J. |author5= Chippaux, J.-P. |name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |title= ''Atheris hispida'' |page= e.T44980127A44980134 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T44980127A44980134.en |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>
 | genus = Atheris
 | species = hispida
 | authority = [[Raymond Laurent|Laurent]], 1955
-| synonyms = * ''Atheris squamigera'' <br><small>— [[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt]], 1923</small> (part)
+| synonyms = * ''Atheris squamigera'' <small>[[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt]], 1923</small> (part)
-* ''Atheris squamiger'' <br><small>— [[Gaston-François de Witte|de Witte]], 1933</small> (part)
+* ''Atheris squamiger'' <small>[[Gaston-François de Witte|de Witte]], 1933</small> (part)
-* ''Atheris squamigera squamigera'' <br><small>— de Witte, 1941</small> (part)
+* ''Atheris squamigera squamigera'' <small>de Witte, 1941</small> (part)
 * ''Atheris hispida'' <small>Laurent, 1955</small>
-* ''Atheris hispida'' <small>— Meirte, 1992</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|1-893-77700-6}} (series). {{ISBN|1-893-77701-4}} (volume).</ref>
+* ''Atheris hispida'' <small>Meirte, 1992</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|1-893-77700-6}} (series). {{ISBN|1-893-77701-4}} (volume).</ref>
 }}
-'''''Atheris hispida''''' is a [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Central Africa]]. It is known for its extremely keeled [[dorsal scales]] that give it a bristly appearance.<ref name="Mal03"/> No [[subspecies]] are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634945 |taxon=''Atheris hispida'' |accessdate=10 July 2007}}</ref> Common names include rough-scaled bush viper, spiny bush viper,<ref name="SB95">{{cite book |author=Spawls S, Branch B |year=1995 |title=The Dangerous Snakes of Africa |location=Dubai |publisher=Oriental Press (Ralph Curtis Books) |page=192 |isbn=0-883-59029-8}}</ref><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|0-894-64877-2}}.</ref> hairy bush viper,<ref name="Mal03"/><ref name="WOA">{{WOA|page=hispida|subject=''Atheris hispida''|date=8 September|year=2007}}</ref> and [[Atheris hispida#Common names|more]].
+'''''Atheris hispida''''' is a [[Viperinae|viper]] [[species]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Central Africa]]. Like all other vipers, it is [[venomous snake|venomous]]. It is known for its extremely keeled [[dorsal scales]] that give it a bristly appearance.<ref name="Mal03"/> No [[subspecies]] are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634945 |taxon=''Atheris hispida'' |accessdate=10 July 2007}}</ref> Common names include '''rough-scaled bush viper''', '''spiny bush viper''',<ref name="SB95">{{cite book |author=Spawls S, Branch B |year=1995 |title=The Dangerous Snakes of Africa |location=Dubai |publisher=Oriental Press (Ralph Curtis Books) |page=192 |isbn=0-883-59029-8}}</ref><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|0-894-64877-2}}.</ref> '''hairy bush viper''',<ref name="Mal03"/><ref name="WOA">{{WOA|page=hispida|subject=''Atheris hispida''|date=8 September|year=2007}}</ref> and [[Atheris hispida#Common names|others]].
 ==Description==
-The males of this species grow to maximum total length of {{convert|73|cm|in|abbr=on}}: body {{convert|58|cm|in|abbr=on}}, tail {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Females grow to a maximum total length of {{convert|58|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The males are surprisingly long and slender compared to the females.<ref name="Mal03"/>
+The males of this species grow to maximum total length of {{cvt|73|cm|in}}: body {{cvt|58|cm|in}}, tail {{cvt|15|cm|in}}. Females grow to a maximum total length of {{cvt|58|cm|in}}. The males are surprisingly long and slender compared to the females.<ref name="Mal03"/>
 The head has a short snout, more so in males than in females. The eyes are large and surrounded by 9–16 [[circumorbital scales]]. The orbits (eyes) are separated by 7–9 scales. The nostril is like a slit and separated from the eye by two scales. The eye and the [[supralabials]] are separated by a single row of scales. The supralabials number 7-10, of which the fourth is enlarged.<ref name="Mal03"/> The body is covered with elongated, heavily keeled dorsal scales that give this animal a unique 'shaggy' look, almost bristly in appearance. The scales around the head and neck are the longest, decreasing posteriorly. Midbody, the [[dorsal scales]] are in 15–19 rows. There are 149–166 [[ventral scales]] and 35–64 [[subcaudals]]. The [[anal scale]] is single.<ref name="SB95"/><ref name="Mal03"/>
@@ Line 35: / Line 38: @@
 ==Reproduction==
-Females give birth to up to 12 young at a time. Newborns are about {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length.
+Females give birth to up to 12 young at a time. Newborns are about {{cvt|15|cm|in}} in total length.<ref name="Meh87"/>
-<ref name="Meh87"/>
 ==Venom==
-Not much is known about their venom except that it is mainly [[neurotoxic]]. Besides the neurotoxins, they also carry [[cytotoxins]] and [[fasciculin|fasciculins]]. Toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors, including geographical region. Even the weather and altitude can influence toxicity (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). A bite can be fatal to humans without access to proper [[Snakebite (bite)#Pressure immobilization|first aid]] and subsequent [[antivenom]] treatment. Until recently, their venom has often been regarded as less toxic than that of many other species, perhaps because bites are uncommon, but this turned out not to be the case. There are now a number of reports of bites that have led to severe hemorrhaging of internal organs.
+Not much is known about their venom except that it is mainly [[neurotoxic]]. Besides the [[neurotoxin]]s, they also carry [[cytotoxins]] and [[fasciculin|fasciculins]]. Toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors, including geographical region. Even the weather and altitude can influence toxicity (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). A bite can be fatal to humans without access to proper [[Snakebite (bite)#Pressure immobilization|first aid]] and subsequent [[antivenom]] treatment. Until recently, their venom has often been regarded as less toxic than that of many other species, perhaps because bites are uncommon, but this turned out not to be the case. There are now a number of reports of bites that have led to severe hemorrhaging of internal organs.
 ==References==
@@ Line 46: / Line 48: @@
 ==Further reading==
 *[[Raymond Laurent|Laurent RF]]. 1955. ''Diagnoses preliminaires des quelques Serpents venimeux''. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. (''Revue de zoologie et de botanique africaines'') '''51''': 127–139. (''Atheris hispida'', p.&nbsp;138.)
+*Hassl, A. A case of a facultative life-cycle diversification in the fluke Pleurogenoides sp. (Lecithodendriidae, Plagiorchiida). Wien Klin Wochenschr 122 (Suppl 3), 91–93 (2010). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1444-8</nowiki>
 <!-- TEMPLATE DOES NOT EXIST: * {{reptile|jc8Jp8Va0x4|Video of ''Atheris hispida''.}} Accessed 12 October 2006.-->
-{{Reptile names}}
 {{Taxonbar|from=Q2699733}}