Atheris rungweensis

Bogert, 1940

Rungwe Bush Viper

Magagnoli S.-Pesci A. 1975.
Le forme della vita e l'ambiente, Istituto Geografico De Agostini Novara

Synonyms

Atheris nitschei rungweensis  Bogert, 1940
Atheris squamiger  (not Hallowell) Hedges, 1983
Atheris rungweensis  Broadley, 1998

Etymology

The name refers to Rungwe Mountain, Tanzania, the type locality.

Other Common Names 

none

Taxonomic Comments 

This species was formerly considered to be a race of Atheris nitschei. The species differ in scalation and coloration. While A. nitschei is typically black and green, its southern relative, A. rungweensis is predominately green (or black) and yellow and has smaller cephalic scales that are more strongly keeled anteriorly. It also has keeled gulars, whereas A. nitschei adults and most juveniles have smooth gulars. Due to the morphological differences and the fact that these two taxa do not appear to intergrade, Atheris rungweensis is now classified as a full species.

Distribution

This species is found south of the range of A. nitschei in western Tanzania, northwestern Zambia, and the Misuku Hills of northern Malawi. This represents the southernmost range of the genus Atheris.

Description

Bright green to blackish, often with a yellow pattern on the back of the head and a pair of yellow dorsolateral zig-zag lines and/or a row of yellow lateral spots where the sides meet the ventral scales. Venter yellow to greyish geen. Can be distinguished from Atheris nitschei by its normal color patter of green and yellow, rather than green and black. Its head scales are also smaller and more strongly keeled anteriorly.
Adults may reach 55-65 cm (22-26 inches).

Habitat and Behavior

Found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of montane forest at altitudes of 800-2000 meters.