Vipera kaznakovi

Vipera kaznakovi
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Vipera
Species:	V. kaznakovi
Binomial name
Vipera kaznakovi Nikolsky, 1909
Synonyms
Vipera kaznakovi - Nikolsky, 1909 Coluber kaznakowi - Nikolsky, 1916 Vipera kaznakowi - Werner, 1922 [Pelias] kaznakovi - Reuss, 1927 [Mesocoronis (Tzarevscya)] kaxnakovi - Reuss, 1929 Vipera ursinii kaznakovi - Schwarz, 1936 Vipera berus var. ornata - Başoğlu, 1947 Vipera (Vipera) kaznakovi - Obst, 1983 Vipera kaznakovi kaznakovi - Vedmederja, 1984 Vipera kaznakovi - Golay et al., 1993[1]

Common names: Caucasus viper, Kaznakow's viper,^[2] Kaznakov's viper.^[3] more.

Vipera kaznakovi is a venomous viper species found in Turkey, Georgia and Russia.^[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4]

Description

A stoutly built species, of which the males are usually shorter and more slender than the females. Adults may reach a maximum length of 65-70 cm, but are usually less. Orlov and Tuniyev examined 39 specimens; of 23 males, the largest measured 47.5 cm, while of the 16 females, the largest was 60 cm.^[2][5]

Common names

Caucasus viper, Kaznakow's viper,^[2] Kaznakov's viper.^[3] Caucasus adder.^[6]

Geographic range

Northeastern Turkey, Georgia and Russia (eastern Black Sea coast. The type locality is "Tsebel'da, Sukhumi District," according to the English translation of Nikolsky (1909). Orlov and Tuniyev (1990) interpret this as Tsebelda, the vicinity of Sukhumi [on the east coast of the Black Sea], Abkhazia, the Caucasus [Georgia].^[1]

Habitat and Ecology

This species inhabits the forested slopes of mountains, the beds of wet ravines and post-forested clearings. It has been recorded from azalea and scumpea-Cornelian cherry groves; mixed-subtropical forests with an evergreen underwood; chestnut groves, beech, willow- and alder-tree woods; and from polydominant forests near river terraces and on large growing over scree. At the upper limit of its altitudinal distribution this snake reaches the coniferous forests zone, but are not found deep in this forest type. It has been recorded from the ecotone of beech-fir forest and motley grass. Animals may also be found in areas of tea cultivation (Baran and Atatur, 1998). It emerges from hibernation in March (on the Black-Sea coast), and at altitudes of 600-800m asl - in the second half of April -beginning of May. It reproduces from the end of March up to the middle of May. Hibernation begins at the start November (for coastal populations), and at the end of September - beginning of October for highland populations. The young appear at the end of August - beginning of September. ^[7]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: A1cd+2cd (v2.3, 1994).^[8] This indicates that the species is not critically endangered, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. This is due to an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction in population of at least 50% over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, as well as actual or potential levels of exploitation. For the same reasons, a reduction in the population of at least 50% is also projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer. Year assessed: 1996.^[9]

As of 2008, the IUCN red list of endangered species has listed the Caucasus Viper has been listed as being endangered with a decreasing population trend. ^[10]

It is also listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.^[11]

Major Threats

This species is threatened by illegal overcollection for the international pet trade (Baran and Atatur, 1998). Additional threats include habitat conversion for urban development, tourism and agriculture. It is becoming rare throughout the Black Sea coastal part of its range, with many populations already extirpated. Key threats to the habitat of these lowland populations include the development of tourism (such as health resorts) and housing, and agricultural expansion (including the ploughing of submontane areas). Within Turkey, the species is additionally threatened by projects to construct dams within its range.^[12]

One further factor that effects the population of the viper is its gestation and birthing procedure. The viper is viviparious, therefor when the mother viper is injured or harmed, the entire cluth is effected, whereas in an oviparious snake each individual egg has a chance of surviving no matter what happens to the mother. ^[13]

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Viperinae by common name
• Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} 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. ^ ^{a b c} 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.
3. ^ ^{a b} Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
4. ^ "Vipera kaznakovi". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634993. Retrieved 17 August 2006. 
5. ^ http://www.factzoo.com/reptiles/snakes/types-of-snakes.html
6. ^ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
7. ^ http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22990/0
8. ^ Vipera kaznakovi at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
9. ^ 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
10. ^ http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22990/0
11. ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.
12. ^ http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22990/0
13. ^ Neill,Wilfred T.Vol. 98, No. 898 (Jan. - Feb., 1964), pp. 35-55. Viviparity in Snakes: Some Ecological and Zoogeographical Considerations. The University of Chicago Press.

Further reading

• Orlov NL, Tuniyev BF. 1990. Three species in the Vipera kaznakowi complex (Eurosiberian Group) in the Caucasus: Their present distribution, possible genesis, and phylogeny. Asiatic Herpetological Research 3:1-36.

External links

• Vipera kaznakovi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 September 2007.