The dangerously venomous Trimeresurus medoensis (sometimes segregated into the genus Viridovipera as V. medoensis, e.g., Malhotra and Thorpe 2004; Guo et al. 2009; but see Hoser 2012) is known from China (Xizang Autonomous Region = Tibet), Myanmar (Kachin State: Naung Mon, Rainbow Village, Myitkina, Alangdunhku), and India (Arunachal Pradesh). It is reportedly associated with bamboo stands in evergreen forest and is active at night. (Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
Peng and Fuji (2001) compared the hemipenes of several species of Trimeresurus, including the hemipenis of T. medoensis, described for the first time.
Leviton et al. (2003) provide a technical description of Trimeresurus medoensis: Scales in 17 longitudinal rows at midbody, dorsal rows 7-11 slightly keeled; 8 upper labials, first upper labials separated from nasals by a distinct suture; green or bluish green above, yellowish white below, the two separated by a bright bicolored red (below) and white (above)ventrolateral stripe (in both males and females), which occupies the whole of the outermost scale row and a portion of the second row; ventrals less than 150; hemipenes short, thick, spinose. Total length: males 671 mm, females 650 mm; tail length: males 125 mm, females 115 mm.
Trimeresurus medoensis, commonly named the Motuo bamboo pitviper,[4] is a venomous pitviper species endemic to India, Burma, and Tibet. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
Maximum total length for males is 671 mm (26.4 in); for females, 650 mm (26 in). Maximum tail length for males is 125 mm (4.9 in); for females, 115 mm (4.5 in).[6]
The hemipenes are short, thick, and spinose.[6]
Scalation: dorsal scales in 17 longitudinal rows at midbody, of which rows 7-11 are slightly keeled. There are 8 upper labials, of which the first are separated from the nasal scales by a distinct suture. The ventrals number less than 150.[6]
Color pattern: green or bluish green above, yellowish white below, the two separated by a bright bicolored red (below) and white (above) ventrolateral stripe (in both males and females), which occupies the whole of the outermost scale row and a portion of the second row.[6]
Found in North-Eastern India; northern Burma (Myanmar); and southeastern Xizang (Tibet), China. The type locality listed is "near A-ni Bridge, Medo Xian, Xizang [Tibet], alt. 1,200 m [3,900 ft]" [Autonomous Region, China].[2]
Trimeresurus medoensis, commonly named the Motuo bamboo pitviper, is a venomous pitviper species endemic to India, Burma, and Tibet. No subspecies are currently recognized.
