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 Common name called the meadow viper, Ursini' s viper,[, , (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. .] or meadow adder.[Brown, John Haynes (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. .] It is found in southeast France, the central Apennines in Italy, as well as fragmented areas of eastern Europe.
Etymology
The specific name or epithet, ursinii, is in honor of Italy naturalist (1788–1870).[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).][; ; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. . ( Vipera ursinii, p. 196).]
Description
Adults of V. ursini average in total length (including tail), although specimens of in total length have been reported.[Arnold EN, (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. . ( Vipera ursinii, pp. 215–217 + Plate 39 + Map 121).]
Common names
Meadow viper, Ursini's viper,[ (1971). The Snakes of Europe. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). .] field adder.[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.] Although the following subspecies are currently invalid according to the taxonomy used here, their common names may still be encountered:
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V. u. ursinii – Italian meadow viper.
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V. u. macrops – karst viper,
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V. u. rakosiensis – Danubian meadow viper.
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V. renardi – steppe viper,
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V. u. moldavica – Moldavian meadow viper.
Geographic range
Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,[
]
Vipera ursinii rakosiensis is native to Hungary[ Leírás. Fertő-Hanság Nemzeti Park (Fertő-Hansag National Park of Hungary)] 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...).
Conservation status
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.
In addition, this species is listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial international trade,[ Vipera ursinii at CITES and United Nations Environment Programme / World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Accessed 8 October 2006.] and is a strictly protected species (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.[ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe . Accessed 9 October 2006.]
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
Taxonomy
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:
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Vipera ursinii ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835)
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Vipera ursinii eriwanensis (A.F. Reuss, 1933)
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Vipera ursinii graeca & , 1988
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Vipera ursinii macrops Méhelÿ, 1911
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Vipera ursinii moldavica Nilson, Andrén & , 1993
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Vipera ursinii rakosiensis Méhely, 1893
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Vipera ursinii renardi Christoph, 1861
et al. (1993) recognize the first four,
Notes
Further reading
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, Smith HM, Broadley DG, Dixon JR, , , , (1993). Endoglyphs and Other Major Venomous Snakes of the World: A Checklist. Geneva: Azemiops.
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Latifi M (1991). The Snakes of Iran. Oxford, Ohio: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. . ( Vipera ursinii, p. 133.)
External links
