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Bitis is a genus of venomous vipers found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.[1] It includes the largest and the smallest vipers in the world. Members are known for their characteristic threat displays that involve inflating and deflating their bodies while hissing and puffing loudly.[2] The type species for this genus is B. arietans,[1] which is also the most widely distributed viper in Africa.[3] Currently, 18 species are recognized.[4]
Members of the genus are commonly known as African adders,[2] African vipers,[3] or puff adders.
Size variation within this genus is extreme, ranging from the very small B. schneideri, which grows to a maximum of 28 cm (11 in) and is perhaps the world's smallest viperid, to the very large B. gabonica, which can attain a length over 2 m (6.6 ft) and is the heaviest viper in the world.[2]
All have a wide, triangular head with a rounded snout, distinct from the neck, and covered in small, keeled, imbricated scales. The canthus is also distinct. A number of species have enlarged rostral or supraorbital scales that resemble horns. Their eyes are relatively small. They have large nostrils that are directed outwards and/or upwards. Up to six rows of small scales separate the rostral and nasal scales. All species have a well-developed supranasal sac. The fronts of the maxillary bones are very short, supporting only one pair of recurved fangs.[2][5]
These snakes are moderately to extremely stout. Their bodies are covered with keeled scales that are imbricated (overlapping) with apical pits. At midbody, the dorsal scales number 21–46. Laterally, the dorsal scales may be slightly oblique. The ventral scales, which number 112–153, are large, rounded, and sometimes have slight lateral keels. Their tails are short. The anal scale is single. The paired subcaudal scales number 16-37 and are sometimes keeled laterally.[2][5]
Puff adders are found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.[1]
Bitis species are known for their behavior of inflating and deflating their bodies in loud hissing or puffing threat displays. They are terrestrial ambush predators, and appear sluggish, but can strike with amazing speed.[2] In contrast to the pitvipers of the subfamily Crotalinae, Bitis species appear to lack heat-sensitive organs and showed no differences in their behavior in laboratory tests towards warm and cool objects that mimicked prey.[6][7]
The rectilinear locomotion is very common in many Bitis species.
All members are viviparous and some give birth to large numbers of offspring.[2]
All members of this genus are dangerous – some extremely so.[2] At least six different polyvalent antivenoms are available. Five are produced by Aventis Pasteur (France), Pasteur Merieux (France) and SAIMR (South Africa). All of these specifically protect against B. arietans and four also cover B. gabonica.[8][9] At least one protects specifically against bites from B. nasicornis: India Antiserum Africa Polyvalent.[10] In the past, such antivenoms have been used to treat bites from other Bitis species, but with mixed results.[2]
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type species.
Other species may be encountered in literature, such as:[2]
Lenk et al. (1999) used molecular data (immunological distances and mitochondrial DNA sequences) to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among species of Bitis. They identified four major monophyletic groups for which they created four subgenera:[2]
For now, this division is of little consequence as far as the nomenclature is concerned. However, the definition of subgenera within a genus is often the sign of an impending split. Therefore, those interested in these snakes would do well to familiarize themselves with these new subgenera.[2]
Bitis is a genus of venomous vipers found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It includes the largest and the smallest vipers in the world. Members are known for their characteristic threat displays that involve inflating and deflating their bodies while hissing and puffing loudly. The type species for this genus is B. arietans, which is also the most widely distributed viper in Africa. Currently, 18 species are recognized.
Members of the genus are commonly known as African adders, African vipers, or puff adders.
