Phalotris is a genus of snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. All species of the genus Phalotris are found in South America.[1] The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.[2] The specific name, normanscotti, is in honor of Norman Scott, Jr., in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Paraguay.[3]
The venom of this genus was poorly characterized, due to the low amount produced by Colubridae, a more detailed characterization of particularly interesting proteins could only be viable by obtaining recombinant proteins, but there is a report of an accident by a Phalotris, which resulted in headache, local and oral mucosa hemorrhage, edema and renal failure. Another accident report occurred with a 37-year-old biologist, whose symptoms were immediate local pain, bleeding and edema, a few hours later there was headache, systemic hemorrhage, fever, myalgia and dark urine. A study of the venom of Phalotris mertensi showed a myotoxic action 3 times greater than Bothrops jararaca.[4][5]
The following 19 species are recognized as being valid.[1]
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Phalotris.
Phalotris is a genus of snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. All species of the genus Phalotris are found in South America. The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. The specific name, normanscotti, is in honor of Norman Scott, Jr., in recognition of his contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Paraguay.
