Azemiopinae
Encyclopedia
Azemiopinae is a monotypic
subfamily created for the monotypic
genus
, Azemiops, that contains the venomous
viper
species
Azemiops feae, described here. No subspecies are recognized. The first specimen was collected by Italian
explorer Leonardo Fea
, and was described as a new genus
and new species
by Boulenger
in 1888. Considered to be one of the most primitive vipers, it is found in the mountains of South East Asia in China, southeastern Tibet
and Vietnam
. Its common name is Fea's viper.
This species does not grow to 1 m in length. According to Liem et al. (1971), the maximum length is 77 cm, while Orlov (1997) described a male and a female measuring 72 cm and 78 cm respectively.
It is considered to be the most primitive of all viperids
for a number of reasons. It has a reasonably sturdy body and a short tail, but the dorsal scales are smooth rather than keeled like those of most vipers. The head, which is slightly flattened and more elliptical in shape than triangular, is not covered with numerous small scales
like most other vipers, but with large shields like the colubrids and the elapids
. Also, the skull is built differently. It does, however, have a pair of hollow, rotating fang
s, although these are short. The fangs have a ridge at the tip lateral to the discharge orifice, as well as a blade-like structure on the ventral surface otherwise seen only in some opistoglyphous and atractaspid
snakes. The venom glands are relatively small. Finally, unlike most vipers, Fea's viper is oviparous and hibernates during the winter months.
The color pattern of Fea's viper is striking: dorsally its basic body color is a shiny, deep blue-gray to black, marked by a number of widely spaced thin (1-2 scales) white-orange crossbands. The head is orange to slightly yellow with a distinct cross-pattern outlined in gray. The eyes are yellowish with vertical pupils. Ventrally it is olive-gray, with some small lighter spots. The chin and throat are variegated with yellow.
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. The anal plate is entire (undivided), but the subcaudals are in two rows (divided). Ventral count is around 180, subcaudals around 40.
Internasals and prefrontals subequal in length. Frontal slightly broader than long, nearly 3 times as broad as the supraocular. Parietals as long as their distance from the end of the snout. Loreal small, pentagonal, as tall as long. Two (or three) preoculars. Two postoculars. Two large superposed anterior temporals, only the upper in contact with the postoculars. Six upper labials, first and second smallest, third entering the eye, fourth and fifth largest. Seven lower labials, first large and forming a suture with its fellow, second small. One pair of short chin shields.
through southern China
(Fujien, Guangxi
, Jiangxi
, Kweichow, Sichuan
, Yunnan
, Zhejiang
), south-east, Myanmar
and south-east Tibet
. The type locality is listed as "Kakhien Hills" = (Kachin Hills), Myanmar
.
This species has a characteristic threat display. When disturbed, it flattens its body to make itself look wider, and its jaws flare outwards posteriorly, giving the normally ovoid head a triangular shape. Sometimes, it will vibrate its tail. Ultimately, it will strike, during which it may or may not use its fangs. As opposed to Orlov (1997), who states that this species is nocturnal, Zhao et al. (1981) report that it is crepuscular
, being active from early March into late November.
).
Another study found that enzyme activities in Azemiops feae venom gland extract are similar to those of viperine
venoms, except that Azemiops venom has no blood clotting, haemorrhagic, or myolytic
activities.
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
subfamily created for the monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, Azemiops, that contains the venomous
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
viper
Viperidae
The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Antarctica, Australia, Ireland, Madagascar, Hawaii, various other isolated islands, and above the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
Azemiops feae, described here. No subspecies are recognized. The first specimen was collected by Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
explorer Leonardo Fea
Leonardo Fea
Leonardo Fea was an Italian explorer, zoologist, painter and naturalist.Fea was born in Turin, and became an assistant at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova the Museum of Natural History in Genoa...
, and was described as a new genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
and new species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
by Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
in 1888. Considered to be one of the most primitive vipers, it is found in the mountains of South East Asia in China, southeastern Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Its common name is Fea's viper.
Description
It is considered to be the most primitive of all viperids
Viperidae
The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Antarctica, Australia, Ireland, Madagascar, Hawaii, various other isolated islands, and above the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four...
for a number of reasons. It has a reasonably sturdy body and a short tail, but the dorsal scales are smooth rather than keeled like those of most vipers. The head, which is slightly flattened and more elliptical in shape than triangular, is not covered with numerous small scales
Scale (zoology)
In most biological nomenclature, a scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin to provide protection. In lepidopteran species, scales are plates on the surface of the insect wing, and provide coloration...
like most other vipers, but with large shields like the colubrids and the elapids
Elapidae
Elapidae is a family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, terrestrially in Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America and aquatically in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...
. Also, the skull is built differently. It does, however, have a pair of hollow, rotating fang
Fang
Fang is a mammal's canine tooth.Fang may also refer to:* A snake's poison-injecting tooth: see snake venom* Fang people, in Central Africa* Fang language, spoken by Fang people...
s, although these are short. The fangs have a ridge at the tip lateral to the discharge orifice, as well as a blade-like structure on the ventral surface otherwise seen only in some opistoglyphous and atractaspid
Atractaspididae
The Atractaspididae are a family of snakes found in Africa and the Middle East. Currently, 12 genera are recognized.-Description:This family includes many genera formerly classed in other families, on the basis of fang type. It includes fangless , rear-fanged , fixed-fanged , and viper-like species...
snakes. The venom glands are relatively small. Finally, unlike most vipers, Fea's viper is oviparous and hibernates during the winter months.
The color pattern of Fea's viper is striking: dorsally its basic body color is a shiny, deep blue-gray to black, marked by a number of widely spaced thin (1-2 scales) white-orange crossbands. The head is orange to slightly yellow with a distinct cross-pattern outlined in gray. The eyes are yellowish with vertical pupils. Ventrally it is olive-gray, with some small lighter spots. The chin and throat are variegated with yellow.
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. The anal plate is entire (undivided), but the subcaudals are in two rows (divided). Ventral count is around 180, subcaudals around 40.
Internasals and prefrontals subequal in length. Frontal slightly broader than long, nearly 3 times as broad as the supraocular. Parietals as long as their distance from the end of the snout. Loreal small, pentagonal, as tall as long. Two (or three) preoculars. Two postoculars. Two large superposed anterior temporals, only the upper in contact with the postoculars. Six upper labials, first and second smallest, third entering the eye, fourth and fifth largest. Seven lower labials, first large and forming a suture with its fellow, second small. One pair of short chin shields.
Geographic range
Ranges from northern VietnamVietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
through southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(Fujien, Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
, Kweichow, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
), south-east, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
and south-east Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. The type locality is listed as "Kakhien Hills" = (Kachin Hills), Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
.
Habitat
Found in mountainous regions at altitudes up to 1000 m. Cooler climates are preferred, with an average temperature of 20-25 °C. Sometimes it is found on roadsides, in straw and grass, in rice fields, and even in and around homes. In Vietnam, its preferred habitat is described as forests of bamboo and tree ferns, with clearings, where the forest floor is covered with rotting vegetation, where there are plenty of rock outcroppings and there are many open and subterranean streams. The species is crepuscular, prefers temperatures of 18-25 °C, and very moist environments for shelter.Behavior
Crepuscular
Crepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight, that is during dawn and dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." Crepuscular is, thus, in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright...
, being active from early March into late November.
Feeding
They apparently feed on small mammals. A captured, immature specimen was found to have eaten a common gray shrew (Crocidura attenuata). In captivity, these snakes are reported to be reluctant feeders, but when they did they took newborn mice, and then only at night. On several occasions when feeding was observed, the prey was not released after being struck.Venom
Research conducted by Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry indicates that the venom profile of Fea's viper is remarkably similar to that of Wagler's viper (Tropidolaemus wagleriTropidolaemus wagleri
Tropidolaemus wagleri is a venomous pitviper species native to southeast Asia. The epithet, wagleri, is in honor of German herpetologist Johann Georg Wagler. No subspecies are currently recognized...
).
Another study found that enzyme activities in Azemiops feae venom gland extract are similar to those of viperine
Viperidae
The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Antarctica, Australia, Ireland, Madagascar, Hawaii, various other isolated islands, and above the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four...
venoms, except that Azemiops venom has no blood clotting, haemorrhagic, or myolytic
Myotoxin
Myotoxins are small, basic peptides found in snake venoms, such as in that of certain rattlesnakes. This involves a non-enzymatic mechanism that leads to severe muscle necrosis...
activities.
External links
- Azemiops at Herpbreeder. Accessed 26 September 2006.
- Fea's Viper at Saint Louis Zoo. Accessed 26 September 2006.
- Azemiopinae at Palaeos. Accessed 26 September 2006.. Accessed 25 May 2007.