ABOUT THE WORLD OF ATHERIS

This website monograph on the bush viper tribe Atherini debuted in 1999. It led to a book contract with Bushmaster Publications of Germany but, with the manuscript 95% complete, the project fizzled out. I had been struggling to collaborate on drawings with their contracted British illustrator, and I was at a loss when it came to doing range map cartography. As work ground to a halt I focused my energies elsewhere, and I never heard from the publisher again.

I continued to edit and expand the website over the course of about ten years, beginning with a complete redesign and revision in 2001. The site was hosted by kingsnake.com from its inception. As an educational project, they did so gratis. Unfortunately, I recently discovered that they had either ceased hosting it or the link is broken. I received no notification of any changes. I have moved the site to my own server. Sadly, search engine links may be out of date.

In 2010, a German named Daniel Lieback created his own version of my site on the Atherini vipers, even going so far as appropriating the name of The World of Atheris, which predated his work by a decade. He simply changed my phrase to The World of Atherini. Uncreative, yes. I suppose imitation is a form of flattery, and I certainly am all for information sharing. Perhaps the foul taste in my mouth is due to his using almost the exact name to replicate my website, which of course misleads and confuses visitors. I know I don't mind there being another comprehensive site available to anyone interested in these fascinating snakes. I haven't reviewed his site and have no interest to. I cannot say what, if any, of my work was used.

So, now The World of Atheris is in transition. Either I remove it from cyberspace or I update it, incorporating all the exhaustive research and book text I labored over some dozen years ago. My thought is to rework the WOA site to create the definitive online resource instead of seeking to find a publisher for a print edition. But this would be much work, including further research to bring it up to date, and I have other books that have much wider appeal to write, and very little time.

I appreciate all visitors and support. All the best, Michael Jacobi

photo of Atheris chlorechis - © Dr. Zoltan Takacs