| Montivipera albizona | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Montivipera |
| Species: | M. albizona |
| Binomial name | |
| Montivipera albizona | |
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Montivipera albizona, the central Turkish mountain viper, [2] is a viper species endemic to the mountainous regions of central Turkey. [2] Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized. [3]
The maximum total length is a little less than 78 cm (31 in) (for a male), although most specimens are smaller. [2]
The head is relatively large and distinct from the neck. The snout is rounded and covered with small, keeled scales. The nostril is located within a single nasal scale. There are 2-3 apical scales in contact with the rostral. There is normally 1 canthal scale on either side of the head. The large supraoculars are in broad contact with the eye. There are 9-13 circumorbitals. Two scale rows separate the eye from the supralabials, of which there are 7–10. There are usually 10-13 sublabials. The temporal scales are keeled. [2]
Midbody there are 23 rows of keeled dorsal scales. There are 2-3 preventral scales, followed by 149-155 ventrals. The anal scale is single and followed by 23-30 paired subcaudals. [2]
The color pattern consists of a grayish ground color. Running along the midline from the back of the head to the tail is a series of about 30 transversed and pronounced white- and black-edged narrow bands separated by a brick-red brown zone 3-4 scales long and 9-12 scales wide. Lateral spots may be small and in a double series. There are usually two large black, oblique spots on top of the head, as well as a dark stripe running from the corner of the eye back to the angle of the mouth or beyond. The belly is grayish and finely speckled with darker spots. [2]
Central Turkey. The type locality given is "from the regions of the Kulmac Daglari mountain range, central Turkey, close to the Anatolian diagonal". [1]
This species is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1+2e, C2a (v2.3, 1994). [4] This indicates that the extent of its occurrence is estimated to be less than 5,000 km2 (2,000 sq mi) or the area of its occupancy is estimated to be less than 500 km2 (200 sq mi). Estimates also indicate that the populations are severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations, and that a continuing decline is inferred, observed or projected, in the number of mature individuals. In addition, the total population is estimated to number less than 2,500 mature individuals with no subpopulation containing more than 250 such specimens. Year assessed: 1996. [5]
It is also listed as a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention. [6]
Very rocky and dry mountain slopes and fields. [2]
After Nilson et al. (1990) first described M. albizona as a separate species that is parapatric with M. xanthina , [2] a group of opponents led by Schätti soon argued that V. albizona, M. wagneri and M. bulgardaghica were more likely conspecific, belonging to the polymorphic species, M. xanthina. According to Bettex (1993), it was also difficult to tell M. albizona from M. wagneri based on color pattern alone. However, a study published by Mulder (1994) came out in support of Nilson et al. (1990) and asserted that the color pattern of M. albizona is actually quite distinct from that of M. wagneri. [7]
Macrovipera lebetinus, known as the blunt-nosed viper, Lebetine viper, Levant viper, and by other common names, is a viper species found in North Africa, much of the Middle East, and as far east as Kashmir. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.
Vipera ammodytes, commonly known as horned viper, long-nosed viper, nose-horned viper, and sand viper, poskok is a species of viper found in southern Europe, mainly northern Italy, the Balkans, and parts of Asia Minor. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs and high venom toxicity. The specific name, ammodytes, is derived from the Greek words ammos, meaning "sand", and dutes, meaning "burrower" or "diver", despite its preference for rocky habitats. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Bitis peringueyi, also known as the Peringuey's adder, Peringuey's desert adder or desert sidewinding adder, is a venomous viper species found in Namibia and southern Angola. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Macrovipera lebetinus transmediterranea is a viper subspecies endemic to North Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Montivipera raddei albicornuta is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to Iran. It is a subspecies of Montivipera raddei.
Vipera transcaucasiana is a venomous viper species endemic to parts of Georgia and northern Turkish Anatolia.
The Lebanon viper, also known as Bornmueller's viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to Western Asia. There are no recognized subspecies.
The Mount Bulgar viper, also called the Bulgardagh viper is a viper species endemic to the mountains of southern Turkey. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Vipera darevskii, known as Darevsky's viper, is a small species of viper, a venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to northwestern Armenia, northeastern Turkey, and possibly also adjacent southern Georgia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Montivipera latifii, known as Latifi's viper, the Iranian valley viper, or the Lar Valley viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Iran. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Vipera lotievi, commonly known as the Caucasian meadow viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Montivipera raddei, also known as the Armenian viper and by many other common names, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and possibly also Iraq. Two subspecies are currently recognized.
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. It is found in France, Italy, and Greece as well as much of eastern Europe. Several subspecies are recognized. Beyond the highly threatened European population, poorly known populations exist as far to the east as Kazakhstan and northwestern China.
Wagner's viper, known as the ocellate mountain viper, ocellated mountain viper, and Wagner's viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to eastern Turkey and northwestern Iran. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Montivipera xanthina, known as the rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper, and by other common names, is a viper species found in northeastern Greece and Turkey, as well as certain islands in the Aegean Sea. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Vipera lebetina xanthina is a taxonomic synonym that may refer either of the following venomous snakes:
Montivipera is a genus of vipers. Like all other vipers, they are venomous.
Vipera graeca, commonly known as the Greek meadow viper, is a species of viper found in Albania and Greece, named after its presence in Greek meadows. As with all vipers, the Greek viper is venomous. The Greek viper was previously thought to be a subspecies of Vipera ursinii, but was elevated to species status as it has many morphological and molecular differences.
