Vipera xanthina
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Common names: rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper, Turkish viper, Near East viper.[2]
Vipera xanthina is a venomous viper species found in northeastern Greece and Turkey, as well as certain islands in the Aegean Sea. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
Description
Usually grows to 70-95 cm, but reaches a maximum length of 130 cm on certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.[2]
Geographic range
Found in extreme northeastern Greece, the Greek islands of Simi, Kos, Kalimnos, Leros, Lipsos, Patmos, Samos, Chios and Lesbos, European Turkey, the western half of Anatolia (inland eastward to Kayseri), and islands (e.g. Chalki, Kastellórizon [Meis Adasi]) of the Turkish mainland shelf. The type locality given is "Xanthus" [southwestern Turkey (Kinik)], and "Asia Minor." Listed as "Xanthos" by Schwarz (1936). Nilson and Andrén (1986) restricted the species to "Xanthos" [= Xanthus] (Kinik) province Mugla, S. W. Turkish Anatolia" through lectotype designation.[1]
Conservation status
This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Listed as such due to its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Year assessed: 2005.[4][5]
It is also listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.[6]
Taxonomy
According to Nilson, Andrén and Flärdh (1990), V. bornmuelleri, V. bulgardaghica, V.wagneri and V. xanthina are all closely related and together form the Vipera xanthina group or complex.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ↑ Vipera xanthina (TSN 635004) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 5 July 2007.
- ↑ Montivipera xanthina at IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
- ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1)IUCN Red List. Accessed 6 October 2006.
- ↑ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.