The dangerously venomous Trimeresurus popeiorum (sometimes segregated into genus Popeia as Popeia popeiorum; e.g., Malhotra and Thorpe 2004; but see Hoser 2012) may represent two or more cryptic species, but resolving the systematic relationships and taxonomy of snakes in the T. popeiorum complex has been difficult (Vogel et al. 2004; Sanders et al. 2006). Trimeresurus popeiorum sensu lato is found in Myanmar (Bago Division, Mon State, Tanintharyi Division, and (?)Chin State), Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra), and possibly Thailand.In Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, this nocturnal species is reported from montane forests with elevations from 900-1500 m. Elsewhere, it has been reported from hilly areas with wet forest. In Myanmar, it has been found in low elevation (less than 500 m) montane and coastal rainforest. Individuals have been collected on tree limbs overhanging streams and in bushes. (Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
Trimeresurus popeiorum is most often confused with T. stejnegeri. The two have quite distinct hemipenes, but this is only helpful in identifying males and requires close inspection. Conveniently, however, these two species are believed to have non-overlapping distributions. Trimeresurus popeiorum also closely resembles T. [Viridovipera] yunnanensis, but T. popeiorum typically has 21 midbody scale rows whereas T. yunnanensis has 19. According to Malhotra et al. (2004), Trimeresurus vogeli has frequently been misidentified as T. popeiorum, but can be distinguished by the male hemipenes.(they note also that the range of T. [Viridovipera] vogeli apparently does not overlap with that of T. popeiorum or other members of the T. [Viridovipera] stejnegeri group). Malhotra et al. (2004) provide additional information on the identification, distribution, and natural history of T. [Viridovipera] vogeli. (Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
The specific epithet “popeiorum”, which honors the American herpetologist Clifford H. Pope, is sometimes written as “popeorum”. Although the first spelling, which was used in the original 1937 description, was (according to the author, writing in a later publication) a clerical error, the rules of nomenclature in this case do not allow the name to be “corrected” to “popeorum”. (Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
Leviton et al. (2003) provide a technical description of Trimeresurus popeiorum: Scales in 21 (rarely 23) longitudinal rows at midbody; 9-11 upper labials, first upper labials separated from nasals by a distinct suture; a single supraocular; above green, below pale green to whitish, the two separated by a bright bicolored orange or brown (below) and white (above) (males) or white (females) ventrolateral stripe, which occupies the whole of the outermost scale row and a portion of the second row; ventrals 155-169; subcaudals 52-76, in males the base of the tail enlarged to the level of subcaudals 20-25; hemipenes long and slender, smooth, without spines. Total length: 770 mm; tail length: 170 mm.
Trimeresurus popeiorum is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to northern and northeastern parts of India and Southeast Asia.[1][3] Common names include: Pope's pit viper, Pope's green pit viper, Pope's tree viper and Pope's bamboo pitviper.[1][3][4]
Trimeresurus popeiorum may grow to a total length of 770 mm (30 in), which includes a tail length 170 mm (6.7 in).[5]
Above green, below pale green to whitish, the two separated by a bright bicolored orange or brown (below) and white (above) (males) or white (females) ventrolateral stripe, which occupies the whole of the outermost scale row and a portion of the second row.[5]
Dorsal scales in 21 (rarely 23) longitudinal rows at midbody; 9–11 upper labials, first upper labials separated from nasals by a distinct suture; a single supraocular. Ventrals 155–169; subcaudals 52–76, in males the base of the tail enlarged to the level of subcaudals 20–25; hemipenes long and slender, smooth, without spines.[5]
This species is most often confused with T. s. stejnegeri (q.v.); the two have quite distinct hemipenes, which does not make identification of individuals in the field or in the laboratory any easier without recourse to (a) male individuals and (b) an examination of the hemipenes. However, the two species are not known to have overlapping distributions, at least based on available materials. Also, closely allied to T. popeiorum is Trimeresurus yunnanensis (q.v.); ordinarily, the two are more easily told apart by the number of midbody dorsal scale rows, 21 in T. popeiorum, 19 in T. yunnanensis.[5]
Adult male Trimeresurus popeiorum
Trimeresurus popeiorum is found in Northeastern India (Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjiling), northern Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. It probably also occurs in Nepal and Yunnan (China), but there are no reliable records from those areas.[1]
The type locality, designated by lectotype, is listed as "Khasi Hills, Assam" (India).[2]
The specific name, popeiorum (Latin, genitive, plural), is in honor of two American herpetologists, Clifford H. Pope and Sarah H. Pope, his wife.[6]
There are differences in opinion as to the correct spelling of the specific epithet. The following is from David and Vogel (1996):[3][7]
This species was named in honour to Clifford H. Pope and Sarah H. Pope. The original spelling of the specific epithet, popeiorum, was corrected into popeorum by Smith (1943:518) on the basis that it was indeed a clerical error. Unfortunately, according to the Art. 32 (c, ii) of the Code (ICZN, 1985), such a change does not fall into the category of a “correction of an incorrect original spelling." According to the Art. 33 (d), the use of a termination -orum in a subsequent spelling of a species-group name that is a genitive based upon a personal name in which the correct original spelling terminates with -iorum, is an incorrect subsequent spelling, even if the change is deliberate. The original spelling, popeiorum, must therefore be conserved.
Trimeresurus popeiorum is found in forests of mountainous regions.[8]
Trimeresurus popeiorum is nocturnal and arboreal. If threatened, it will vibrate its tail.[8]
Trimeresurus popeiorum preys upon frogs, lizards, birds, and rodents (especially rats and squirrels).[8]
This species, T. popeiorum, is viviparous. In India, sexually mature females give birth in April and May, and the average clutch size is 10. The hatchlings are about 180 mm (7.1 in) long.[8]
Trimeresurus popeiorum possesses a potent hemotoxic venom which is dangerous to humans.[8]
Trimeresurus popeiorum is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to northern and northeastern parts of India and Southeast Asia. Common names include: Pope's pit viper, Pope's green pit viper, Pope's tree viper and Pope's bamboo pitviper.
Female-Kaeng-Krachan-National-Park.jpg)
Juvenile male
