Bothrops diporus, also known in Portuguese as Bocuda, Cabeça-de-Capanga, Jararaca-do-Chaco, Jararaca-do-Rabo-Branco, Jararaca-Pintada, Jararaca-Pintada-Argentina and Jararaca-Pintada-do-Sul, is a species of viper from the forests of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. As with all vipers, it is venomous.[2][3]

Bothrops diporus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species:
B. diporus
Binomial name
Bothrops diporus
Cope, 1862

Description

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Bothrops diporus is identifiable by its dark pattern, which consists mainly of fused dark triangular markings on a lighter base colour, similar to that of B. ayerbei with the two rounded dark blotches at the base of each triangle.[2]

Bothrops diporus have been sighted at a length of around 70–80 cm (28–31 in).[3]

Diet

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Bothrops diporus has been sighted partaking in ophiophagy of Chironius maculoventris and Epictia albipuncta, however it is known for its largely mammalian diet, including rodents, frogs and lizards.[3][4]

Venom

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Bothrops diporus is one of the main causes of snakebite in Argentina:[5] between 1960 and 1975, according to Esteso (1985), 80% of the approximately 500 cases reported each year were attributed to this species.[6][7]

Habitat

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Bothrops diporus has been found in the Vermejo River region, on the boundary of Paraguay and Argentina.[8]

Reproduction

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Bothrops diporus reproduces sexually and is ovoviviparous.

References

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  1. ^ Cacciali, P.; Carreira, S.; Kacoliris, F.; Montero, R.; Pelegrin, N.; Scott, N. (2019). "Bothrops diporus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15203290A15203298. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T15203290A15203298.en. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Bothrops diporus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  3. ^ a b c Barros, Mariano M. and Tomas Waller (2015). "Bothrops diporus (southern pitviper) diet / ophiophagy". Herpetological Review. 46 (3): 443–444.
  4. ^ García, J.A.R.; Curi, L.M.; Calamante, C.C. & Céspedez, J.A. (2018). "Bothrops diporus (Southern Pitviper / Chaco Lancehead) Diet / Ophiophagy". Herpetological Review. 49 (1): 124.
  5. ^ U.S. Navy (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: United States Government/Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
  6. ^ Esteso S.C. Ofidismo en la República Argentina. Editorial Arpón; Córdoba, Argentina: 1985
  7. ^ Carolina Gay; Libia Sanz; Juan J. Calvete; and Davinia Pla (January 2016). Stephen P. Mackessy (ed.). "Snake Venomics and Antivenomics of Bothrops diporus, a Medically Important Pitviper in Northeastern Argentina". Toxins. 8 (1). Basel: 9. doi:10.3390/toxins8010009. PMC 4728531. PMID 26712790.
  8. ^ Cope, E.D. 1870. Seventh contribution to the herpetology of tropical America. Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 11: 147-169 [1869]