Cerrado lancehead facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cerrado lancehead
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Bothrops
Species:	lutzi
Synonyms
Lachesis lutzi Miranda-Ribeiro Bothrops iglesiasi Amaral, 1923 Bothrops neuwiedi bahiensis Amaral, 1925 Bothrops neuwiedi piauhyensis Amaral, 1925 Bothrops neuwiedi lutzi — Amaral, 1929 Bothrops lutzi — Silva in Campbell & Lamar, 2004 Bothropoides lutzi — Fenwick et al., 2009 Bothrops lutzi — Carrasco et al., 2012

Bothrops lutzi, the Cerrado lancehead, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central eastern Brazil. Within the country, it can be found in states such as: Minas  Gerais, Bahia,  Goiás,  Tocantins, Piauí,  and  Ceará. The South American viper has sparked an interest from the scientific community due to its venom, as it is believed to have some therapeutic potential. Scientists have found that the venom carried by B. lutzi has antibacterial and antiparasitic effects, which can help fight against microbial resistance by medical patients, as well as parasitic diseases like leishmaniosis and Chagas’ disease.

Etymology

The specific name, lutzi, is in honor of Adolfo Lutz of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, who collected the type specimen, upon which Miranda-Ribeiro based his new species description. Adolfo Lutz was the father of Brazilian herpetologist Bertha Lutz.