Atheris chlorechis

Atheris chlorechis (*)

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Serpentes
Infraordo: Caenophidia
Superfamilia: Viperoidea

Familia: Viperidae
Subfamilia: Viperinae
Genus: Atheris
Species: Atheris chlorechis
Name

Atheris chlorechis (Pel, 1852)

Lectotype: RMNH 1648. [designated by Hughes & Barry (1969)]

Type locality: “Butre, Ghana” by designation of Hughes & Barry (1969).
References
Links

Uetz, P. & Hallermann, J. 2021. Atheris chlorechis. The Reptile Database. Accessed on 22 October 2018.

Vernacular names
English: Western Bush Viper

Atheris chlorechis is a venomous viper species found only in the forests of West Africa.[3] No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]

Description

Adults average 50 cm (20 inches) in total length (body + tail), with a maximum total length of 70 cm (28 in). The tail is relatively long. The body is relatively slender, with 25-36 midbody rows of dorsal scales. These are heavily keeled, with the keels ending in a swelling at the end of each scale.[3]

Adults have a uniform light green ground color, overlaid with a series of faint yellow, roughly paired spots running dorsally along the length of the body and about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) apart. The belly is pale green in color.[3] Newborns are tan-brown in color, but this changes to a yellow-green hue with irregular dark spots within 24 hours.[6] This second color phase has been described as the reverse of that of the adults and is only seen in individuals less than 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length.[3][6]
Common names

Western bush viper,[3] West African leaf viper,[4] West African tree viper.[7]
Geographic range

West Africa including Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, isolated locations in Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The type locality is listed as "Boutre, Ghana".[2]
Habitat

Found in forests, in dense foliage about 1–2 m (about 3–6 ft) above the ground.[3]
Feeding

Said to feed on rodents, lizards and tree frogs.[3]
Reproduction

Gives birth to 6-9 young in March to April. Newborns are 131–151 mm (about 5-6 inches) in total length.[6]
References

Penner, J., Luiselli, L., Rödel , M.-O., Segniagbeto, G. & Joger, U. 2013. Atheris chlorechis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T178495A18189511. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T178495A18189511.en. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
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 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
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 0-89464-877-2.
Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
"Atheris chlorechis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 23 August 2006.
Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.

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.