Vipera xanthina

Vipera xanthina
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Vipera
Species:	V. xanthina
Binomial name
Vipera xanthina (Gray, 1849)
Synonyms
Daboia Xanthina - Gray, 1849 Vipera xanthina - Strauch, 1869 Vipera lebetina var. xanthina - Werner, 1902 Vipera xanthina xanthina - Mertens, 1952 Daboia (Daboia) xanthina - Obst, 1983 Daboia (Vipera) xanthina - Radspieler & Schweiger, 1990 Vipera xanthina - Nilson, Andrén & Flärdh, 1990 V[ipera]. xanthina xanthina - González, 1991[1]

Common names: rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper,^[2] more.

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

As per the photographs. Skin tones can vary e.g. grey or white with a black zig-zag pattern. Melanistic versions may exist. Has keeled scales.^[4] Usually grows to 70-95 cm (27.6-37.4 in), but reaches a maximum length of 130 cm (51.2 in) on certain Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.^[2]

Behavior

Habitat

Vipera xanthina can be found living in humid areas.^[5] They favor rocky and "well-vegetated" areas for their habitats.^[5]

Prey

The diet of vipera xanthina is thought to consist of rodents and other small mammals and native birds.^[5] It has also been speculated that they prey on lizards as well.^[5]

Common names

Rock viper, coastal viper, Ottoman viper, Turkish viper, Near East viper,^[2] mountain viper.^[6]

Geographic range

V. xanthina.

Extreme northeastern Greece, the Greek islands of Simi, Skiathos, 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).^[7] 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.^[8]

It is, however, listed as strictly protected (Appendix II) under the Berne Convention.^[9]

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]

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. ^ "Vipera xanthina". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=635004. Retrieved 19 August 2006. 
4. ^ http://www.1000pictures.com/view.htm?canimals/snake+fnoy-2006-05-20-095954_1280.jpg+x1280+y1024
5. ^ ^{a b c d} O'Shea, Mark. 2008. Venomous Snakes of the World. New Holland Publishers Ltd. page 58. ISBN 1847730868.
6. ^ Gotch AF. 1986. Reptiles -- Their Latin Names Explained. Poole, UK: Blandford Press. 176 pp. ISBN 0-7137-1704-1.
7. ^ Montivipera xanthina at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
8. ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 2 September 2007.
9. ^ Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Appendix II at Council of Europe. Accessed 9 October 2006.

Further reading

• Nilson G, Andrén C. 1986. The mountain vipers of the Middle East: The Vipera xanthina complex. Bonner Zoologische Monographien 20.
• Nilson G, Andrén C, and Flärdh B. 1990. Vipera albizona a new mountain viper from central Turkey, with comments on the isolating effects of the Anatolian "diagonal." Amphibia-Reptilia 11:285-94.
• Schwarze E. 1936. Untersuchungen über Systematik und Verbreitung der europäischen und mediterranen Ottern. Behringwerke-Mitteilungen 7:159-262.

External links

• Montivipera xanthina at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 18 January 2010.
• Montivipera xanthina at Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. Accessed 18 January 2010.