Atheris katangensis

Taxobox
name = "Atheris katangensis"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Viperidae
subfamilia = Viperinae
genus = "Atheris"
species = "A. katangensis"
binomial = "Atheris katangensis"
binomial_authority = Witte, 1953
synonyms = * "Atheris katangensis" - Witte, 1553McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).] :"Common names: Shaba bush viper,Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 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.] Katanga Mountain bush viper,NRDB species|genus=Atheris|species=katangensis|date=2 August|year=2007] more.""Atheris katangensis" is a venomous viper species endemic to DR Congo. Found only in a limited area in the east of the country. No subspecies are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=634946|taxon="Atheris katangensis"|year=2006|date=13 July]

Description

Attains a maximum length of only 40 cm, making this the smallest member of the genus "Atheris".

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.

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 it the tip of the tail.

Common names

Shaba bush viper, Katanga Mountain bush viper, Upemba bush viper, Katanga bush viper, WOA|page=katangensis|subject="Atheris katangensis"|date=8 September|year=2007] Katanga tree viper.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.]

Geographic range

Restricted to Upemba National Park, Shaba Province in eastern DR Congo. The type locality given is "Mubale-Munte (région du confluent), sous-affluent st de la rive droite de la Lufira [alt. 1480] , Park National de l'Upemba."

Habitat

Gallery forest along rivers at altitudes between 1200 and 1500 meters.

ee also

* List of viperine species and subspecies
*
*
* Snakebite

References