A new large species of Bitis Gray, 1842 (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia

Scientists have identified a new species of viper, Bitis harenna, within the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. This discovery was made through analysis of a single museum specimen and live observations, distinguishing it from other members of its subgenus by unique color patterns, scalation differences, and head proportions. The study also clarifies systematic characters and provides a revised key to Ethiopian Bitis species, enhancing our understanding of viper biodiversity in the region.

GOWER, D. J., WADE, E. O. Z., SPAWLS, S., BÖHME, W., BUECHLEY, E. R., SYKES, D., & COLSTON, T. J. (2016). A new large species of Bitis Gray, 1842 (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. Zootaxa, 4093(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4093.1.3