HERPETOLOGICA ROMANICA
ISSN: 1842-9203
Vol. 8, 2014, pp.1-10
Article No. 141101
The poorly known Anatolian Meadow Viper, Vipera anatolica:
new morphological and ecological data.
Bayram GÖÇMEN1*, John MULDER2, Mert KARIŞ1 and M. Anıl OĞUZ1
1. Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
2. Department of Vertebrates, Natural History Museum Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
*Corresponding author: B. Göçmen, E-mail: cypriensis@yahoo.com
Tel: +90 (232) 311 17 95, Fax: +90 (232) 388 10 36
Abstract. A total of seven specimens (5 males and 2 females) belonging to the poorly
known Anatolian Meadow Viper, Vipera anatolica collected during the field trips of
the late April and the mid-October 2014 were evaluated taxonomically by describing
its pholidotic, metric features and other descriptive characteristics. Some biological
and ecological information were also given.
Keywords: Vipera anatolica, distribution, habitat, morphology, Turkey.
Introduction
A new taxon within the Vipera ursinii complex was described by Eiselt & Baran
(1970) based on two female snakes collected in 1969 by A. Budak (holotype) and F.
Spitzenberger (paratype) in the Cedar Forest Reserve, Çığlıkara Ormanları, near
Elmalı, Antalya province. At the time the taxon was given subspecific status and
called Vipera ursinii anatolica.
Taxonomy of meadow and steppe vipers, viz. the Vipera ursinii complex, has
long been debated, as many isolated but morphologically fairly similar taxa exist
over a vast area from France in the west until China and Mongolia in the east. Most
of the isolated mountain populations have been given specific status. The
Anatolian meadow viper was indicated as a full species by Joger et al. (1992) and
also considered as such by Nilson & Andrén (2001) in their extensive study on the
Vipera ursinii complex.
Very few observations were made since 1969. We are aware of the following
sightings. A specimen, presumably a male, was found by H. Sigg in 1984 (Billing,
1985 and Sigg, 1987), here referred to as the Sigg specimen. In the personal
collection of G. Nilson and C. Andrén at the department of Zoology, University of
Göteborg, Sweden (ZIG), there was a fourth specimen, female, depicted in Nilson
©Romanian Herpetological Society,Cluj-Napoca / Oradea, Romania, 2014
http://biozoojournals.ro/herprom/herprom.html
Herpetol. Rom, 8,
2014, Romania
2
Göçmen, B. et al.
& Andrén (2001) and herein referred to as the ZIG specimen (apparently not a
numbered collection item and maybe still alive at time of publication). The second
locality ‘in the same mountain range’ indicated by Joger (1984) probably refers to
this ZIG specimen. Saint Girons (1987) reported a further Turkish specimen present
in the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN 4000), but without locality
information and therefore, without examination, not surely to be assigned to this
taxon. Yet another female specimen was present in captivity, presumably in
Germany, and was examined by Nilson & Andrén (2001). As a consequence a very
limited number of specimens was known to science.
Extended knowledge about this taxon is needed concerning distribution,
ecology and intraspecific variation, i.a. for planning conservation. Intensive
surveys were performed in the past years, resulting in additional information
presented in the present study.
Materials and methods
In 2014 high elevated locations in the Cedar Forest Reserve, Çığlıkara Ormanları, near
Elmalı, Antalya province (1400-2300m asl) were searched for meadow vipers on five field
trips between the end of April and the beginning of October. Data of this study were
compared with information of the type specimens and all other published references.
To record colour and pattern characteristics animals were photographed while alive in
their natural environment. Pholidotic features and descriptive characteristics were counted,
measured and photographed. The ventral plates were counted using the system proposed
by Dowling (1951). Snout-vent length and tail length were measured to the nearest
millimetre using a ruler. Other morphometric measurements were taken using a digital
calliper of 0.02 mm sensitivity (Mitutoyo 500-181 U). Head length was taken axially from the
tip of the snout to the posterior protuberance of the jaw (Goren & Werner, 1993). For
bilateral pholidotic features, counts were taken on both left and right sides (L/R) to enable a
later study of asymmetry, which can be a taxon characteristic (Werner et al, 1991). Since the
sample size is very low, we did not perform any summarised statistics and significance test.
The faecal contents of the caught vipers were examined under a stereomicroscope and
the prey items were identified to the lowest possible taxa. Geographical coordinates of the
observed specimens were recorded with a Magellan XL GPS receiver, but exact locations are
not revealed here for conservation purposes.
The vipers had to be captured, handled and restrained in order to gather data. The
authors received ethical permission (Ege University Animal Experiments Ethics Committee,
2010#43) and special permission (2011#7110) for field studies from the Republic of Turkey,
Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. All specimens were released in their natural
environment after investigation.
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
Notes on poorly known Anatolian Meadow Viper
3
Results
Seven specimens were observed and caught. Five of them were male, two female.
Pholidotic features and measurements are presented in Table 1. Some of the data
are also highlighted below, because they give new insights, confirm characteristic
features hitherto based on very few specimens or are conflicting with earlier
publications.
Morphology. The maximum total length hitherto known was 344 mm (female). The
largest viper in this study measured 368 mm, a male. A substantially low number
of ventrals as characteristic for this taxon was confirmed by this study. In males
ranging from 116-120, in females 118-119. The present data also confirm the high
rostral index (rostral height to rostral width ratio), though the mean value can not
differentiate between anatolica and the other related Turkish taxon eriwanensis.
Coloration. The dorsal pattern consisted of an almost continuous zigzag band
darker than the ground colour, only in a few cases locally interrupted by one or
two roundish blotches. In two longest (a female and a male) specimens the zigzag
band is complete and the others have one blotch around the neck, one of the later
ones has also another one blotch on the posterior 4/5 of the body. The number of
windings in the dorsal zigzag band, including the tail, ranged from 51 to 63.
Laterally, alternating with the windings, there was a row of dark spots. A second
and third row of less conspicuous small dark spots or stripes occurred more
ventrally on the side. Each row alternated with the other. The top of the head was
not heavily pigmented. All specimens had conspicuously visible occipital blotches
or stripes and sometimes some smaller spots in front of them. Frontal and lateral
sides of the head were not whitish, but more or less of the same ground colour as
on top of the head and elsewhere on the body. Most of the vipers had the lateral
postocular stripes and occipital blotches fused in the shape of a furcula. Of the 14
head sides observed, 11 showed this Y-shape (Fig. 1).
The dorsal colour can be described as several kinds of greyish brown with a
darker pattern upon a lighter ground colour. All specimens showed no difference
between mid-dorsal and dorso-lateral ground colour, called a non-bilineate ground
colour by for instance Nilson & Andrén (2001). The colours change considerably
during the moulting cycle and are light and contrasting directly after moulting and
become darker and less contrasting in due course, which makes it hard to precisely
describe skin colours. Sexual dimorphism in dorsal coloration was slight, but
females tended to show less contrast and be browner.
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
Göçmen, B. et al.
4
Table 1. Pholidotic features and measurements. Length in mm, lateral data left/right.
Sex
Snout vent length+Tail length
Head length
% Head length-SVL
Rostral width
% Rostral width-Head length
Rostral length
% Rostral length-Head length
Rostral index (height/width)
Head width
% Head width-Head length
Head depth
% Head depth-Head length
Distance between nostrils
Dorsal scale rows (anterior)
Dorsal scale rows (mid-body)
Dorsal scale rows (posterior)
Ventrals+preventrals
Subcaudals
Anal plate
Supralabials
Sublabials
Circumoculars
Supraoculars
Suboculars
Canthals
Supranasal
Loreals
Apical plates in contact with rostral
Total number of plates in contact
with rostral
Crown plates
Parietals divided/fragmented
Frontal divided or not
Upper preocular in contact with nasal
Number of windings in dorsal
zigzag band
Interparietal
Postfrontal
Y-shaped pattern on neck side
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
1
♂
253+41
16.06
6.35
2.25
14.01
2.53
15.75
1.12
9.19
57.22
6.62
41.22
3.42
18
19
17
118+2
31/30
1
8/8
10/9
9/9
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
4/4
1
5
2
♂
181+26
14.07
7.77
1.58
11.23
2.03
14.43
1.28
6.92
49.18
4.92
34.97
2.59
18
19
17
118+0
31/30
1
8/8
10/10
10/9
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
6/7
1
5
3
♂
276+41
17.85
6.47
2.14
11.99
2.48
13.89
1.16
10.05
56.3
6.27
35.13
3.48
18
19
17
116+2
30/29
1
8/8
10/10
11/11
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
6/6
1
5
4
♂
321+47
19.12
5.96
2.24
11.72
2.76
14.43
1.23
11.82
61.82
7.67
40.12
3.65
19
19
16
119+3
30/29
1
8/8
10/10
10/11
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
5/6
1
5
5
♂
233+39
14.86
6.38
1.85
12.45
2.11
14.2
1.14
9.38
63.12
5.83
39.23
2.93
19
19
15
120+0
31/30
1
8/8
10/10
9/9
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
5/5
1
5
6
♀
230+21
15.38
6.69
1.64
10.66
2.21
14.37
1.35
10.27
66.78
5.82
37.84
2.92
19
21
17
118+1
23/22
1
8/8
10/9
10/11
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
6/7
1
5
7
♀
269+25
16.85
6.26
2.07
12.28
2.59
15.37
1.25
11.05
65.58
6.29
37.33
3.37
19
19
17
119+0
23/22
1
9/9
11/10
10/9
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
3/4
1
5
10
+/+
57
13
-/+
59
15
-/56
13
+/+
63
12
+
+/+
58
18
+/+
51
13
+
+/+
56
+
+
+/+
+
+
+/+
+
-/-
+
+/+
+
+/+
+/+
-/+
Notes on poorly known Anatolian Meadow Viper
5
All ventrals were heavily powdered or finely speckled for about the inner three
quarter of their surface and the outer caudal quarter is whitish. Most speckles were
very small and only recognisable as such under magnification. These small
speckles were beige brown in females and darker greyish brown in males. Larger
speckles were present on ventrals too, with a diameter of about three quarter of the
ventral’s longitudinal width and these are often positioned bordering the caudal
edge, thus partly covering the whitish edge. These large speckles were beige
brown in females and blackish in males. The amount of large speckles per ventral
was in the range of 0-2 in females and 1-4 in males (Fig. 2). The ventrals therefore
showed sexual dimorphism in colour and pattern not indicated in earlier
publications.
Habitat. The Anatolian meadow vipers were caught between 1980 and 2265 m. asl.
In the region plants are characterized mainly as Mediterranean. Next to that,
elements of the Irano-Turanian and Eurosiberian phytogeographical regions are
present. The area is predominantly characterized at lower altitudes by Oryzopsis
holciformis-Cedrus libani wood. Above 1000 m. asl Juniperus foetidissima becomes
dominant. At about 1950 m. asl trees start to become scarce and make room for the
Anatolian high mountain steppe vegetation.
Vipera anatolica was mainly found in this Karst doline-rich mountain steppe, with
junipers and further only scarce vegetation. In these dolines the vipers seem to prefer
stony slopes, having an angle of 10-20 degrees, interspersed by tall steppe plants (Fig.
3). The animals live inconspicuously among silvery-white haired plants
reminiscent of their own colour. Typical plant species that can be seen in the habitat
are: Achillea teretifolia (endemic), Astragalus sp., Daphne gnidioides, Draba bruniifolia,
Euphorbia characias wulfenii, Festuca jeanpertii jeanpertii, Sideritis libanotica linearis
(endemic), Thymbra sp. and Thymus zygioides lycaonicus.
Phenology. Animals were observed on May 3, in June, July and October. Four of
the specimens were observed in the first week of October. During a visit at the
same site at the end of April no specimens were observed. At the end of October
there usually is already snow at the site. The active season therefore can be
positioned as the period between the early May until the mid-October.
Food spectrum. Insects, in particular grasshoppers are a main part of the diet of
meadow vipers in general (Baron, 1992) and this was to be expected for the
Anatolian meadow viper too. Vipers were observed feeding on Ablepharus chernovi
(a scincid lizard) and Chorthippus sp. (an acridid grasshopper). An attempt to grasp
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
Göçmen, B. et al.
6
Figure 1. Pair of Anatolian meadow vipers showing sexual dimorphism
(male right, female left) and furcula-shaped head pattern.
Figure 2. Male (left) and female bellies showing sexual dimorphism.
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
Notes on poorly known Anatolian Meadow Viper
7
Figure 3. Habitat of Vipera anatolica (looking from the southeast direction in June).
a juvenile Anatololacerta oertzeni budaki (a lacertid lizard) was also recorded. A
second, pamphagid grasshopper (Paranocarodes fieberi) was abundant in the habitat.
The stereomicroscopic investigation of the faecal contents also confirmed
Chorthippus sp. as main part of the food spectrum.
Accompanying fauna. Syntopic amphibians and reptiles recorded were
Pseudepidalea variabilis and Ablepharus chernovi, Anatololacerta oertzeni budaki, Elaphe
sauromates, Eirenis modestus and Zamenis hohenackeri. Sympatrically recorded
amphibians and reptiles, at a lower altitude, were Pelobates syriacus, Pelophylax
bedriagae and Dolichophis caspius, Hemidactylus turcicus, Lacerta trilineata,
Mediodactylus kotschyi, Montivipera xanthina, Natrix natrix, Stellagama stellio and
Typhlops vermicularis.
Discussion
Up to the present study our knowledge about the Anatolian meadow viper was
based on just three to four females and one presumed male. The additional five
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
8
Göçmen, B. et al.
males and two females presented here afford the opportunity to determine
intraspecific variability as well as sexual dimorphism and adds ecological
information.
Number of windings in the dorsal zigzag band of the specimens ranged 56-63 in
males and 51-56 in females. For the holotype and paratype, both female, numbers
of 34/33 and 33/34 were given, but this is without the windings on the tail and for
that reason can not reasonably be compared. Taken from the published
photographs the specimen found by Sigg (Billing, 1985; Sigg, 1987; Brodmann,
1987) had an estimated total number of 50 windings and was missing the tail tip
and therefore fits perfectly within the range found in this study. Nilson & Andrén
(2001) mentioned the confusing number of 38 as pooled mean value for this
character, based on, as written, four specimens known up to then. Taking into
account the low numbers of the type specimens we believe something is wrong
here. Most likely they took the mean value of the number of windings (without
tail) of just the Sigg specimen and the ZIG specimen.
Eleven of the fourteen neck sides newly available in this study showed an Y- or
furcula-shape formed by fusion of the postocular stripe and the occipital blotch.
This very characteristic feature was also present in the specimens known before.
From the holotype and paratype Eiselt & Baran (1970) more or less pointed out this
phenomenon in their own words as occurring ‘in quite different degrees (even on the
same animal)’. Pictures presented by Billing (1985) and Brodmann (1987) and Sigg
(1987) clearly show left and right sides of the Sigg specimen. Both sides showed
this Y-shape. This phenomenon can be found incidentally in all viper species,
regularly within the ursinii complex (no published data available), but is not very
common at all. The high incidence in this taxon is very characteristic. Mulder
(1994) indicated this phenomenon to be rare in mountain vipers (Montivipera sp.)
with the exception of Montivipera albizona, where it could be found with an
incidence of up to 50%.
Ventral coloration is described here in detail and is in sharp contrast to earlier
publications. Andrén & Nilson (2001) in their extensive study on meadow and
steppe vipers just stated for anatolica ‘belly-pattern white’ (description) and ‘white
belly’ (diagnosis), probably wrongly citing Eiselt & Baran (1970). Also Joger et al.
(1992) wrote ‘Belly mainly white’. It must be said, that the original species
description is not very clear in this. Translated from German the text in Eiselt &
Baran (1970) states: ‘Belly white, especially at head and throat region, but all scales
in different proportions powdered middle grey, ventrals also appear to be
speckled dark grey’. The publication contains a plate depicting the belly, which
surely can not be called white.
Herpetol. Rom, 8, 2014
Notes on poorly known Anatolian Meadow Viper
9
The specimens in this study were found in more or less the same locality as the
type specimens: Çığlıkara Ormanları, northwest of Kohu Dağ. The type specimens
were said to be found at elevations between 1650 and 1750 m. asl, considerably
lower than the specimens in this study (between 1980 and 2265 m. asl.). Many
visits to other close-by sites in the region (1400-2100 m asl) prior to 2014 did not
reveal any meadow viper. The ZIG specimen was collected ‘20 km away from the
terra typica’ without details on locality. Though occurrence is to be expected in
other nearby mountainous regions, the species probably has a very limited range,
far away from related taxa. The nearest known meadow or steppe vipers live 1060
km to the east (eriwanensis, Eiselt (1976) or about 850 km to the northwest in Greece
(graeca, Dimitropoulos (1985). Six years of unsuccessful searching in the region in
May and September (2007-2013) indicates the difficulties to deal with enlarging
distributional knowledge. Further research is needed to confirm the range and
population status.
Acknowledgments. We thank to Dr. Bahadır Akman and Mr. Burak Elbeyli for field
assistance, Mr. Volkan Eroğlu for his help on floristic issues and also Prof. Dr. Yehudah L.
Werner (Jerusalem) for his review of an earlier version of the manuscript. This work was
partly supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK)
under Grant 111T338.
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