Vipera ursinii
| Vipera ursinii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Vipera |
| Species: | V. ursinii
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| Binomial name | |
| Vipera ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835)
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| Synonyms[3] | |
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Vipera ursinii is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. It is a very rare species, which is in danger of extinction. This species is commonly called the meadow viper, Ursini's viper,[4] or meadow adder.[5] It is found in southeast France, the central Apennines in Italy, as well as fragmented areas of eastern Europe.[1][6] Several subspecies are recognized.[7]
Etymology
[edit | edit source]The specific name or epithet, ursinii, is in honor of Italian naturalist Antonio Orsini (1788–1870).[8][9]
Description
[edit | edit source]Adults of V. ursini average 40–50 cm (15.75–19.69 inches) in total length (including tail), although specimens of 63–80 cm (24.8–31.5 inches) in total length have been reported.[4] Females are larger than males. Although sometimes confused with V. aspis or V. berus, it differs from them in the following characters. The smallest viper in Europe, its body is thick, its head narrow, and its appearance rough. The snout is not upturned. There are always several large scales or plates on the top of the head. The prominently keeled dorsal scales are in only 19 rows, and often dark skin shows between them. It is gray, tan, or yellowish with a dark undulating dorsal stripe, which is edged with black.[10]
Common names
[edit | edit source]Meadow viper, Ursini's viper,[4] meadow adder,[5] Orsini's viper, field viper,[11] field adder.[12] Although the following subspecies are currently invalid according to the taxonomy used here, their common names may still be encountered:
- V. u. ursinii – Italian meadow viper.[11]
- V. u. macrops – karst viper,[11] karst adder.[5]
- V. u. rakosiensis – Danubian meadow viper.[11]
- V. renardi – steppe viper,[11] steppe adder, Renard's viper.[5]
- V. u. moldavica – Moldavian meadow viper.
Geographic range
[edit | edit source]Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,[13] northern and northeastern Republic of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and Romania. The species has likely gone extinct in Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. It is close to extinction in Hungary and a record from southeast Ukraine is questioned.[1]
Vipera ursinii rakosiensis is native to Hungary[14] although the taxonomic status of this subspecies is disputed (see section "Taxonomy")
The type locality is " ...monti dell'Abruzzo prossimi alla provincia d'Ascoli... " (...mountains of Abruzzo near the Province of Ascoli Piceno, Italy...).[3]
Conservation status
[edit | edit source]The species Vipera ursinii is considered to be a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, due to habitat destruction caused by changes in agricultural practices and climate change in mountain areas, and to collection for the pet trade.[15]
In addition, this species is listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial international trade,[16] and is a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.[17]
V. ursinii is the most threatened snake in Europe.[citation needed] At least 12 human activities are threatening these animals:[citation needed] 1. Grazing 2. Mowing 3. Fire 4. Agriculture 5. Roads 6. Constructions 7. Leisure Activities 8. Afforestation 9. Cynegetic species management 10. Persecution 11. Illegal collection 12. Littering
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]There is high genetic diversity within samples of Vipera ursinii and several species may be involved. At least six subspecies may be encountered in modern literature:[3]
- Vipera ursinii ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835)
- Vipera ursinii eriwanensis (A.F. Reuss, 1933)
- Vipera ursinii graeca Nilson & Andrén, 1988
- Vipera ursinii macrops Méhelÿ, 1911
- Vipera ursinii moldavica Nilson, Andrén & Joger, 1993
- Vipera ursinii rakosiensis Méhely, 1893
- Vipera ursinii renardi Christoph, 1861
Golay et al. (1993) recognize the first four,[3] while Mallow et al. (2003) recognize five and list V. eriwanensis and V. renardi as valid species.[4] However, McDiarmid et al. (1999), and thus ITIS, feel that more definitive data is necessary before any subspecies can be recognized.[3] Presently there are four recognised subspecies of Vipera ursinii. Vipera eriwanensis, Vipera graeca and Vipera renardi are all recognised as distinct species.
Notes
[edit | edit source]- ^ Only populations of Europe, except areas that formerly constituted the USSR (populations in that area, and all other areas, are not included in the Appendices.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Vol. 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (volume).
- ^ a b c d Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ a b c d Brown, John Haynes (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Bonaparte, Carlo Luciano (1835). Iconografia della fauna italica per le quattro classi degli animali vertebrati. Tomo 2. Amfibi. Rome: Salviucci. pages unnumbered. (Pelias Ursinii, new species). (in Italian).
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Vipera ursinii, p. 196).
- ^ Arnold EN, Burton JA (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Vipera ursinii, pp. 215–217 + Plate 39 + Map 121).
- ^ a b c d e Steward JW (1971). The Snakes of Europe. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
- ^ Hellmich W (1962). Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe. London: Blandford Press. Translated from Winter C (1956). Die Lurche und Kriechtiere Europas. Heidelberg, Germany: Universitatsverlag, gegr. 1822, GmbH.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Leírás. Fertő-Hanság Nemzeti Park (Fertő-Hansag National Park of Hungary)
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Vipera ursinii Archived 2009-08-14 at the Wayback Machine at CITES and United Nations Environment Programme / World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Accessed 8 October 2006.
- ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II Archived 2013-05-22 at the Wayback Machine at Council of Europe Archived 2015-09-17 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 9 October 2006.
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Golay P, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, McCarthy CJ, Rage J-C, Schätti B, Toriba M (1993). Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World: A Checklist. Geneva: Azemiops.
- Latifi M (1991). The Snakes of Iran. Oxford, Ohio: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Vipera ursinii, p. 133.)
External links
[edit | edit source]
- Vipera ursinii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.
- Meadow viper (Vipera ursinii ) at ARKive. Accessed 5 October 2006.
- Vipera ursinii at Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.
- Orsini's viper, Vipera ursinii at Reptiles & Amphibians of France. Accessed 30 October 2006.
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Vipera eriwanensis at Checklist of Armenia's Amphibians and Reptiles, Tadevosyan's Herpetological Resources. Accessed 30 March 2007.
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