Atheris rungweensis | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Atheris |
Species: | A. rungweensis
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Binomial name | |
Atheris rungweensis | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Atheris rungweensis, commonly known as the Rungwe tree viper, [3] [4] Mt Rungwe bush viper, [2] and Rungwe leaf viper, [5] is a species of venomous viper found in East Africa. [2] [3]
The specific name is derived from the species type locality in the Rungwe Mountains. [1] It was formerly considered as a subspecies of Atheris nitschei. [2] [6]
It grows to a maximum length (body + tail) of 65 cm (26 in). At midbody, it has 22–33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150–165, and the subcaudals 46–58. [4]
The color pattern is variable, with a ground color that ranges from bright green to green to black. Usually, this is overlaid with a pair of yellow dorsolateral zigzag lines. A row of yellow spots on the sides of the ventral scales may also be present. Specimens from the Sumbawanga region usually have a green yellow and black color pattern. Neonates are a dark brown or gray, but with a bright yellow tail tip. [6]
Atheris rungweensis is known from scattered locations from south-western Tanzania to north-eastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi. [3]
Atheris rungweensis is usually found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of 800–2,000 m (2,600–6,600 ft). [4] [7] Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savanna, woodland, and hill forest habitats. [6]