Bitis arietans peghullae Stewart 1973 (Serpentes: Viperidae): a valid race of puff adder?

Abstract

The taxonomic and nomenclatural validity of Bitis arietans peghullae Stewart 1973 from Niangara, Congo Orientale is assessed. The putative diagnostic characters are shown to be inadequate. The publication medium (Baltimore Univ. Comm.) was privately published and inadequately circulated, and does not meet the requirements of a valid publication. Bitis arietans peghullae is thus invalid for taxonomic and nomenclatorial purposes, and is removed from the synonymy of Bitis arietans arietans.