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Atractaspis (Serpentes, Atractaspididae) the burrowing asp; a multidisciplinary minireview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2002

E. KOCHVA
E. KOCHVA
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
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Abstract

Dedication 91

History 91

Taxonomy 91

Distribution 92

Behaviour 92

Venom apparatus 93

Venom 93

Evolution 97

Acknowledgements 98

References 98

The family Atractaspididae is a highly modified derivative of a lineage that apparently arose early in the history of ‘colubroid’ snakes, and its taxonomy and relationship with other ophidian groups is still uncertain. Snakes of the genus Atractaspis have a characteristic venom apparatus, including the structure and function of the striking unit and of the venom glands. The composition of their venom is also unique in containing several low-molecular weight components, the sarafotoxins, which affect the cardiovascular system and are similar to the mammalian endothelins.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of the Natural History Museum: Zoology Series , Volume 68 , Issue 2 , 28 November 2002 , pp. 91 - 99
Copyright
© Natural History Museum, 2002

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