Bothrocophias
Encyclopedia
Bothrocophias is a genus
of venomous snake
s in the Crotalinae
subfamily of the Viperidae
family. It is a relatively recently identified genus that consists of four species
which are native to northern South America
.
Recent evidence published by Campbell and Lamar (1989, 2004) suggests that a fifth species called Bothrocophias colombianus may lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. This would make it almost unique among New World pitvipers (but not Asian species). The only other American pitvipers known to lay eggs are the four species of bushmaster
Lachesis
.
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...
of venomous snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s in the Crotalinae
Crotalinae
The Crotalinae, commonly known as "pit vipers" or crotaline snakes, are a subfamily of venomous vipers found in Asia and the Americas. They are distinguished by the presence of a heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on either side of the head...
subfamily of the Viperidae
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...
family. It is a relatively recently identified genus that consists of 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...
which are native to northern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
Recent evidence published by Campbell and Lamar (1989, 2004) suggests that a fifth species called Bothrocophias colombianus may lay eggs rather than give birth to live young. This would make it almost unique among New World pitvipers (but not Asian species). The only other American pitvipers known to lay eggs are the four species of bushmaster
Bushmaster
-Snakes:* Any member of Lachesis , a group of large, venomous pitvipers found in Central and South America.-Military:* The Bushmaster Firearms International, an American firearms manufacturer....
Lachesis
Lachesis
Lachesis can be:* Lachesis , one of the Moirae the personification of destiny in Greek mythology* Lachesis , or bushmasters, a group of venomous pitvipers found in Central and South America* 120 Lachesis, an asteroid* Lachesis, a...
.
Species
- Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-lascano, 1991) - EcuadorEcuadorEcuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. - Bothrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935 - Ecuador, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, PeruPeruPeru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, and BoliviaBoliviaBolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. - Bothrocophias microphthalmus (CopeEdward Drinker CopeEdward Drinker Cope was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist and ichthyologist. Born to a wealthy Quaker family, Cope distinguished himself as a child prodigy interested in science; he published his first scientific paper at the age of nineteen...
, 1876) - Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. - Bothrocophias myersi (Gutberlet & CampbellJ.A. CampbellJ.A. Campbell can refer to:* John Argentine Campbell, Scottish rugby player* James Campbell...
, 2001) - Colombia. - Bothrocophias colombianus