Costa Rica, biodiversity with a big B!

CostaRicaAtheris-028

Costa Rica is a small country by its size: 51 000 km². On the other hand, in terms of biodiversity, it is simply remarkable. Amphibians and Reptiles alone, we are talking about more than 400 species!
In addition, Costa Rica has focused on green tourism and the preservation of biodiversity. The preserved natural areas are still numerous, and everything is made to welcome naturalists curious about the tropical fauna. We had already visited this country in the past, and it was urgent to return there, to discover the most remarkable species of the country.

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New video: presentation of the African Hairy Bush Viper Atheris hispida

It was the priority target of our herp trip in Uganda: the famous African Hairy Bush Viper Atheris hispida, the arboreal viper with dragon look! This species lives in the lowest primary rainforests in Uganda. Impacted by deforestation, the country’s natural areas are particularly fragmented. The places where inhabit this species are reduced year by year under the pressure of agriculture and the production of exotic wood. Today we are all responsible. Action is urgently needed, so please reduce our consumption to preserve biodiversity.

 

Next trip: Costa Rica!

Amphibiens, Anoures, Costa Rica, Hylidae, Trips

The next trip of Atheris organization is a “back to the source” for some of us. Ten years later, we are back in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is probably the most visited Central American country for naturalist travel. It’s normal: the biodiversity in fauna and flora is simply exceptional, and the environment is largely preserved there. We hope to meet many people there … See you in November for the report!

Video presentation of the Sahara Sand Viper Cerastes vipera

Atheris’s last trip in Morocco allowed the observation of one of the most remarkable species of the country: the Sahara Sand Viper Cerastes vipera. This species is strictly restricted in sandy environments. It is perfectly adapted for life in the sand, as suggested by the position of its eyes, oriented at the top of the head. Here is a short video which present the species. (more…)

New paper by Atheris: case of sympatry between Pseudocerastes persicus and Pseudocerastes urarachnoides!

Pseudocerastes urarachnoides and Pseudocerastes persicusPseudocerastes persicus and Pseudocerastes urarachnoides are two of the three species of the genus Pseudocerastes which occur in Iran. Our naturalist trip allowed us to observe, on the same place and during the same day, these two species. A wonderful example of sympatry!

This observation is the subject of a paper published in the journal Herpetology Notes. Do not hesitate to read the article!

Reference: Bobby Bok, Matthieu Berroneau, Masoud Yousefi, Joachim Nerz, Frank Deschandol, Maud Berroneau, Laura Tiemann 2017 – Sympatry of Pseudocerastes Persicus and P. urarachnoides in the western Zagros Mountains, Iran – Herpetology Notes, Vol. 10: 323-325.

Photo: Pseudocerastes urarachnoides and Pseudocerastes persicus, Matthieu Berroneau.

Uganda, country of extrem viperids

Atheris hispida

March 2017 is the period we chose to visit Uganda, in central-eastern Africa. Central Africa is marked by the great rift, considered by many to be the “cradle of humanity”, following the discovery of old fossil hominids. This particular geology allows the presence of extremely varied landscapes and climates, from dry savannah to humid tropical forests and mountains covered with eternal snows. (more…)