Atractaspis microlepidota
| Small-scaled burrowing asp | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Atractaspididae |
| Genus: | Atractaspis |
| Species: | A. microlepidota |
| Binomial name | |
|
Atractaspis microlepidota Günther, 1866 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Atractaspis micropholis Günther, 1872 |
|
Atractaspis micropholis Günther, 1872
The small-scaled burrowing asp (Atractaspis microlepidota) is a species of atractaspidid snake.
Atractaspis microlepidota and the genus Atractaspis in general all reside in the middle part of Africa, inhabiting the greater portion of tropical and southern Africa, with some in the Northern parts of Africa.Atractaspis microlepidota occupies areas in West Africa such as Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and extends across towards east Africa in Sudan. One subspecies, A. micropholis andersoni, can be found in southwestern Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Atractaspis microlepidota is black in color, with the ventral (belly) side having a lighter, “flatter” tone than that of the dorsal (back) side. The body scales are smooth. The head is flattened and contains a blunt snout. The neck of Atractaspis is not well defined, and the tail is relatively short. One of the differences between Atractaspis and Viperidae is the fact that the head of Atractaspis is covered in plates, rather than small scales like those of Viperidae. The average size is about 18 inches (45 cm), with some growing up to 30 inches (75 cm).
Atractaspis microlepidota has from 29 to 37 rows of dorsal scales, more rows than any other species of Atractaspis. Ventrals 212–245; anal entire; subcaudals 26–37, entire. Six upper labials, third and fourth entering the eye and largest.
Some common names of Atractaspis are "mole viper" and "burrowing asp". The genus Atractaspis is commonly mistaken for the family Viperidae. One reason for this confusion is that the long, hollow fangs of Atractaspis are similar in many respects to those of Viperidae. However, hypotheses about the exact phylogenic placement of Atractaspis suggest that rather than being closely related to Viperidae, Atractaspis is more closely related to the families Colubridae and Elapidae. Evidence that supports this is seen in the venom of Atractaspis, which is unlike viperid venom. The antigenic properties of the venom appear to be related to the venom of Elapidae. The specific properties of the venom will be explained in lower sections. Even within the genus Atractaspis, there are clear differences in the development of the venom gland: Atractaspis microlepidota develops long venom glands, whereas Atractaspis bibronii develops short venom glands.
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Wikipedia