Tachymenis

Tachymenis
	Tachymenis peruviana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Tachymenis; Wiegmann, 1835
Species
	See text.

Tachymenis is a genus of venomous snakes belonging to the family Colubridae. They are commonly known as slender snakes or short-tailed snakes and are primarily found in southern South America. Tachymenis are capable of producing a medically significant bite, with at least one species, T. peruviana, responsible for human fatalities.^[1]

Species

The following species are recognized by ITIS:^[2]

Tachymenis affinis Boulenger, 1896
Tachymenis attenuata Walker, 1945
Tachymenis chilensis (Schlegel, 1837)
Tachymenis elongata Despax, 1910
Tachymenis peruviana Wiegmann, 1835
Tachymenis tarmensis Walker, 1945

Other sources may recognize as much as 17 distinct species:^[3]^[4]

Tachymenis affinis (Boulenger's slender snake)
Tachymenis attenuata (Walker's slender snake)
Tachymenis bitorquata
Tachymenis boulengerii
Tachymenis brasiliensis
Tachymenis chilensis (Chilean slender snake)
Tachymenis decipiens
Tachymenis dromiciformis
Tachymenis elongata (Depax's slender snake)
Tachymenis hypoconia
Tachymenis infralineatus
Tachymenis melanocephala
Tachymenis nototaenia
Tachymenis peruviana (Peru slender snake, Cola Corta Del Perú)
Tachymenis surinamensis
Tachymenis taeniata
Tachymenis tarmensis (Slender snake)

References

^ Mackessy, Stephen P. (June 2002). "Biochemistry and pharmacology of colubrid snake venoms" (PDF). Journal of Toxicology: Toxin Reviews. 21 (1–2): 43–83. doi:10.1081/TXR-120004741. Retrieved 2009-09-26. Most [colubrids] may not produce a venom capable of causing serious damage to humans, but at least five species (Dispholidus typus, Thelotornis capensis, Rhabdophis tigrinus, Philodryas olfersii and Tachymenis peruviana) have caused human fatalities
^ "Tachymenis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
^ Tachymenis. Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
^ Tachymenis (Genus). ZipcodeZoo.com, 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2011.

[Mackessy2002-1] Mackessy, Stephen P. (June 2002). "Biochemistry and pharmacology of colubrid snake venoms" (PDF). Journal of Toxicology: Toxin Reviews. 21 (1–2): 43–83. doi:10.1081/TXR-120004741. Retrieved 2009-09-26. Most [colubrids] may not produce a venom capable of causing serious damage to humans, but at least five species (Dispholidus typus, Thelotornis capensis, Rhabdophis tigrinus, Philodryas olfersii and Tachymenis peruviana) have caused human fatalities

[ITIS-2] "Tachymenis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 March 2011.

[3] Tachymenis. Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 3 March 2011.

[4] Tachymenis (Genus). ZipcodeZoo.com, 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]