Vipera ursinii | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Vipera |
Species: | V. ursinii |
Binomial name | |
Vipera ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835) | |
Synonyms [3] | |
|
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. [6] Several subspecies are recognized. [7] Beyond the highly threatened European population, poorly known populations exist as far to the east as Kazakhstan and northwestern China.
The specific name or epithet, ursinii, is in honor of Italian naturalist Antonio Orsini (1788–1870). [8] [9]
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]
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:
Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, [13] northern and northeastern Republic of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, northern Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, northwestern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and eastern Uzbekistan steppes to China (Xinjiang).
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]
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. [1]
In addition, this species is listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial international trade, [15] and is a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention. [16]
V. ursinii is the most threatened snake in Europe. At least 12 human activities are threatening these animals: 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
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]
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]
Vipera berus, also known as the common European adder and the common European viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is extremely widespread and can be found throughout much of Europe, and as far as East Asia. There are three recognised subspecies.
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.
Vipera aspis is a viper species found in southwestern Europe. Its common names include asp, asp viper, European asp, and aspic viper, among others. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Bites from this species can be more severe than from the European adder, V. berus; not only can they be very painful, but approximately 4% of all untreated bites are fatal. The specific epithet, aspis, is a Greek word that means "viper." Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Vipera kaznakovi, known as the Caucasus viper, Kaznakow's viper, Kaznakov's viper, and by other common names, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Turkey, Georgia, and Russia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Vipera latastei, known as Lataste's viper, the snub-nosed viper, and the snub-nosed adder, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern Maghreb. Three extant subspecies and one extinct subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
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.
Vipera nikolskii is a venomous viper species endemic to Ukraine, eastern Romania, and southwestern Russia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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 seoanei is a venomous viper species endemic to extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.
Vipera renardi is a species of viper, a venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Asia and Eastern Europe. Five subspecies are recognized.
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.
Vipera eriwanensis, commonly known as the Alburzi viper or the Armenian steppe viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is native to western Asia. There are two recognized subspecies.
The Hungarian meadow viper, also called the Danubian meadow viper is one of the eight subspecies of the Vipera ursinii. It is an extremely rare venomous viper that can mostly be found in Hungary. The Hungarian meadow viper is the most endangered species in the whole Pannonian Basin. It was scientifically recorded for the first time in 1893 by Lajos Méhelÿ, Hungarian zoologist. In 2004, its entire Hungarian population was estimated to be below 500 specimens.
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.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)