Citation: Midtgaard, Rune. RepFocus - A Survey of the Reptiles of the World. (www.repfocus.dk).
Latest update:
June 9th, 2025.
 
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Genus
Bothriechis
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Palm Pitvipers
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Palmenlanzenottern
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Palmelanseslanger
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1859 |  |
Bothriechis Peters (type species: Bothriechis nigroviridis Peters 1859) |
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1860 | |
Teleuraspis Cope (type species: Trigonocephalus schlegelii Berthold 1846) |
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1861 | |
Thamnocenchris Salvin (type species: Thamnocenchris aurifer Salvin 1860) |
Contents:
19 species, of which 9 (47.4%) are endemic.
Endemism: 0%  100%
Remarks:
Previously included in
Bothrops.
Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris (2024) revalidated nigroadspersus, nitidus, and torvus
as separate species from schlegelii and described hussaini, khwargi, klebbai, rahimi, and rasikusumorum.
Reyes-Velasco (2024) reassigned all these forms as synomyms of schlegelii, except nigroadspersus which he retained as a valid species.
The taxonomy of Arteaga & al. (2024) is retained herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025), and pending publication of new evidence in support of
the taxonomy of these authors.
Many scientists and reptile enthusiasts in Colombia and Ecuador, where these snakes occur, are not following Reyes-Velasco (2024) for various reasons, including the apparent reproductive
isolation of the various forms.
Distribution:
S. Mexico, Central America, NW. South America.
Reported from:
Belize,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Ecuador,
El Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico
(Chiapas,
Oaxaca,
Tabasco),
Nicaragua,
Panama,
Peru.
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Meristic and other data
of the world's snakes.
Compiled by
V. Wallach
Key to abbreviations
Head drawings of the
genus Bothriechis.
Compiled by V. Wallach
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Bothriechis aurifer
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Yellow-blotched Palm Pitviper
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Gelbgefleckte Palmenlanzenotter
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Gulplettet Palmelanseslange
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1860 | |
Thamnocenchris aurifer Salvin |
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Bothriechis aurifera Cope 1871 |
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Bothrops aurifer Müller 1877 |
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Lachesis aurifera Boulenger 1896 |
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Trimeresurus aurifer Mocquard 1909 |
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Bothrops nigroviridis aurifera Barbour & Loveridge 1929 |
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Trimeresurus nigroviridis aurifer Smith 1941 |
Distribution:
Guatemala,
Mexico
(Chiapas).
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Bothriechis bicolor
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Guatemalan Palm Pitviper
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Guatemalische Palmenlanzenotter, Zweifarbige Palmenlanzenotter
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Guatemalansk Palmelanseslange
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1868 | |
Bothrops bicolor Bocourt |
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Bothriechis bicolor Günther 1895-1902 |
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Lachesis bicolor Boulenger 1896 |
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Trimeresurus bicolor Mocquard 1909 |
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1978 | |
Bothriechis ornatus Julia-Zertuche & Varela (Campbell & Lamar 2004) |
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Bothrops ornatus Alvarez del Toro 1982 |
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1877 | |
Bothrops bernoullii Müller (Campbell & Lamar 2004) |
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Bothriechis bernoullii Müller 1878 |
Remarks:
Previously included the populations now assigned to thalassinus.
Records from Honduras refer to that species (McCranie 2011).
Distribution:
Guatemala,
Mexico
(Chiapas).
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Bothriechis guifarroi
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Texícuat Palm Pitviper
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Texicuat-Palmenlanzenotter
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Texícuat-palmelanseslange
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2013 | |
Bothriechis guifarroi Townsend, Medina-Flores, Wilson, Jadin & Austin |
Distribution:
Honduras.
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Bothriechis hussaini
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Buenaventura Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (Hussain's Eyelash Pitviper)
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Buenaventura-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Buenaventura-palmelanseslange
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2024 | |
Bothriechis hussaini Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Ecuador,
Peru.
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Bothriechis khwargi
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Betulia Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (Khwarg's Eyelash Pitviper)
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Betulia-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Betulia-palmelanseslange
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2024 | |
Bothriechis khwargi Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Colombia.
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Bothriechis klebbai
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Charalá Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (Klebba's Eyelash Pitviper)
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Charalá-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Charalá-palmelanseslange
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2024 | |
Bothriechis klebbai Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Colombia.
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Bothriechis lateralis
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Side-striped Palm Pitviper, Yellow-lipped Palm Pitviper
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Grüngelbe Palmenlanzenotter
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Sidestribet Palmelanseslange
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1863 | |
Bothriechis lateralis Peters |
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Bothrops lateralis Müller 1877 |
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Lachesis lateralis Boulenger 1896 |
Remarks:
Presence in Nicaragua needs confirmation (Campbell & Lamar 2004).
Distribution:
Costa Rica,
Panama.
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Bothriechis marchi
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Honduran Palm Pitviper, (March's Palm Pitviper)
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Honduranische Palmenlanzenotter, (Marchs Palmenlanzenotter)
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Honduras-palmelanseslange
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1929 | |
Bothrops nigroviridis marchi Barbour & Loveridge |
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Trimeresurus nigroviridis marchi Clark & Inger 1942 |
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Bothriechis nigroviridis marchi Hoge & Romano-Hoge 1983 |
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Bothriechis aurifer marchi Burger in Pérez-Higareda, Smith & Julia-Zertuche 1985 |
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Bothriechis marchi Campbell & Lamar 1989 |
Remarks:
Presence in Nicaragua is regarded as doubtful (Wilson & McCranie 1992).
Distribution:
Honduras.
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Bothriechis nigroadspersus
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Central American Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Central American Eyelash Pitviper
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Zentralamerikanische Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Centralamerikansk Brynet Palmelanseslange
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1870 | |
Bothrops nigroadspersus Steindachner |
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Teleuraspis nigroadspersus Cope 1871 |
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Bothriechis nigroadspersus Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024 |
Remarks:
Previously regarded as a synonym of schlegelii (e.g., Campbell & Lamar 2004).
Revalidated as a separate species by Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris (2024).
Distribution:
Belize,
Colombia,
Costa Rica,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico
(Chiapas,
Oaxaca,
Tabasco),
Nicaragua,
Panama.
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Bothriechis nigroviridis
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Black-speckled Palm Pitviper
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Schwarzgefleckte Palmenlanzenotter, Schwarzgelbe Palmenlanzenotter
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Sortplettet Palmelanseslange
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1859 | |
Bothriechis nigroviridis Peters |
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Bothrops nigroviridis Müller 1877 |
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Lachesis nigroviridis Boulenger 1896 |
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Trimeresurus nigroviridis Pope 1955 |
Remarks:
Previously included aurifer and rowleyi. Records of nigroviridis from Mexico refer to these species.
Distribution:
Costa Rica,
Panama.
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Bothriechis nitidus
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Ecuadorian Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Ecuadorian Eyelash Pitviper
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Ecuadorianische Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Ecuadoriansk Brynet Palmelanseslange
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1859 | |
Lachesis nitidus Günther |
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Teleuraspis nitida Cope 1871 |
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Bothriechis nitidus Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024 |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Ecuador.
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Bothriechis nubestris
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Talamanca Palm Pitviper
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Talamanca-Palmenlanzenotter
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Talamanca-palmelanseslange
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2016 | |
Bothriechis nubestris Doan, Mason, Castoe, Sasa & Parkinson |
Remarks:
Previously regarded as a population of nigroviridis.
Distribution:
Costa Rica.
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Bothriechis rahimi
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Esmeraldas Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (Rahim's Eyelash Pitviper)
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Esmeraldas-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Esmeraldas-palmelanseslange
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2024 | |
Bothriechis rahimi Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Colombia,
Ecuador.
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Bothriechis rasikusumorum
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Huila Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (Shah's Eyelash Pitviper)
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Huila-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Huila-palmelanseslange
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2024 | |
Bothriechis rasikusumorum Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Colombia.
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Bothriechis rowleyi
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Mexican Palm Pitviper, (Rowley's Palm Pitviper)
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Rowleys Palmenlanzenotter
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Mexicansk Palmelanseslange
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1968 | |
Bothrops rowleyi Bogert |
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Bothrops nigroviridis rowleyi Smith & Moll 1969 |
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Bothriechis rowleyi Campbell & Lamar 1989 |
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1969 | |
Bothrops nigroviridis macdougalli Smith & Moll (Campbell & Lamar 2004) |
Distribution:
Mexico
(Chiapas,
Oaxaca).
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Bothriechis schlegelii
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Highland Eyelash Palm Pitviper, (South American Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Eyelash Pitviper, Horned Palm Pitviper)
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Kolumbianische Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter, (Südamerikanische Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter)
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Colombiansk Brynet Palmelanseslange, (Sydamerikansk Brynet Palmelanseslange)
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1845 | |
Trigonocephalus schlegelii Berthold |
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Teleuraspis schlegelii Cope 1860 |
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Bothrops schlegelii Jan 1863 |
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Thanatos schlegelii Posada-Arango 1889 |
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Thanatophis schlegelii Posada-Arango 1889 |
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Bothriechis schlegelii Günther 1895-1902 |
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Lachesis schlegelii Boulenger 1896 |
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Trimeresurus schlegelii Mocquard 1909 |
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1863 | |
Bothrops boussingaultii Jan (syn. Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024) |
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1896 | |
Thanatophis colgadora García (syn. Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024) |
Remarks:
Now restricted to Colombia.
Previously included nigroadspersus, nitidus, supraciliaris, and torvus, as well as the populations now assigned to
hussaini, khwargi, klebbai, rahimi, and rasikusumorum.
See additional taxonomical remarks under genus.
Records from Venezuela are regarded as erroneous (Mumaw, González & Fernández 2015).
Distribution:
Colombia.
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Bothriechis schlegelii
© Rune Midtgaard
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Bothriechis supraciliaris
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Blotched Palm Pitviper
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Bunte Palmenlanzenotter
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Broget Palmelanseslange
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1954 | |
Bothrops schlegelii supraciliaris Taylor |
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Bothrops supraciliaris Stuart 1963 |
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Bothriechis supraciliaris Solórzano, Gómez, Monge-Nájera, & Crother 1998 |
Remarks:
Previously regarded as a synonym of schlegelii (e.g., Werman 1984b; Campbell & Lamar 1989). Revalidated by Solórzano, Gómez, Monge-Nájera, & Crother (1998), although regarded as a valid species in some previous works (e.g., Harding & Welch 1980; Hoge & Romano-Hoge 1981).
Distribution:
Costa Rica,
Panama.
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Bothriechis thalassinus
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Merendón Palm Pitviper
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Meerblaue Palmenlanzenotter
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Merendón-palmelanseslange
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2000 | |
Bothriechis thalassinus Campbell & Smith |
Remarks:
Previously regarded as populations of bicolor (McCranie 2011).
Distribution:
El Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras.
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Bothriechis torvus
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Birri Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Birri Eyelash Pitviper
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Birri-Greifschwanz-Lanzenotter
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Birri-palmelanseslange
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1889 | |
Thanatos torvus Posada-Arango |
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Thanatophis torvus Posada-Arango 1889 |
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Bothriechis torvus Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024 |
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1909 | |
Teleuraspis birri Posada-Arango (syn. Arteaga, Pyron, Batista, Vieira, Meneses Pelayo, Smith, Barrio Amorós, Koch, Agne, Valencia, Bustamante & Harris 2024) |
Remarks:
Regarded as a synonym of schlegelii by Reyes-Velasco (2024).
Retained as a separate species herein, following recommendation of A. Arteaga (pers. comm., June 7th, 2025).
See further remarks under genus.
Distribution:
Colombia,
Panama.
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