Asian mountain otter
| Asian mountain otter | ||||||||||||
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High-contrast male of an Asian mountain otter from the area around Alexandropolis (Greece) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Montivipera xanthina | ||||||||||||
| ( Gray , 1849) |
The Vipera Xanthina ( Montivipera xanthina , Syn. : Vipera xanthina ), also Turkish viper , usually only as a viper called, is a small to medium sized venomous snake from the family of Vipers (Viperidae) Eurasia . Its distribution area extends from northern Greece to Turkey, where it can be found almost exclusively in higher mountain regions.
features
Dimensions
The Asia Minor Mountain Otter has an average body length of up to one meter, but in rare cases can regionally reach a maximum length of 1.20 to 1.50 meters. The females often remain smaller and at the same time more massive than the males and often only reach 0.70 to 0.90 meters in total length. The body is rather massive and plump and tapers very quickly towards the tip of the tail. The head of the snake is relatively large and clearly separated from the body by a narrow neck directly behind the neck. The occipital region is also heart-shaped because of the large poison glands.
coloring
The basic color of the Minor Asian mountain otter varies from light brown or light gray to a reddish beige to olive green. A clear, brown or black zigzag band runs across the back, occasionally with a lighter fill color, which is partially dissolved into large rhombic individual spots. On average, there are around 30 to a maximum of 42 individual spots. There are also one or two smaller, superimposed dark spots between the rhombuses. The head drawing consists of two elongated spots on the occiput, which can merge into the dorsal zigzag band, as well as two smaller spots in front of it. A black temple band runs from the eye to the corner of the mouth, and another, slightly lighter-looking band runs downwards directly below the eye. The eyes have a bronze-colored iris and a narrow, vertical, slit pupil . The coloring of the males is often more contrasting than that of the females. In addition, young animals are often white to gray in basic color, regardless of gender, gender-specific differences only develop with sexual maturation.
Scaling
On the top of the head, the snake has a multitude of small, smooth scales that merge into the rough scaling of the body in the neck. The supraocularia are large and cover the eyes as a plate from above, between these there are five to eight small scales in a row, a total of 31 to 52 scales can be individually present. Before the Supraocularia are each a Canthale and a Supranasale (above the nostril), in front of the two apical and the central rostral . Around the eyes, interrupted by the supraocularia, two circles of scales ( subocularia ) are formed, the outer 13 to 17 and the inner 11 to 14 individual scales. In front of it lies the nasal, which is partially fused with the prenasal , with the nostril. The upper lip edge forms 9 to 11 supralabials , the lower 8 to 14 sublabials . On the underside of the head there are two large anterior and behind four to six smaller mentalia , which merge into the abdominal scales row ( ventralia ) via two to four vorventralia .
The body scales are strongly keeled. At the beginning of the trunk they form 21 to 23, in the middle of the body also up to 25 dorsal rows of scales, towards the tail they decrease to 17 to 19. The ventral side is covered by 156 to 172 ventralia , followed by an unpaired anal and finally 32 to 38 in the male and 27 to 36 in the female subcaudalia on the underside of the tail.
distribution and habitat
Geographical distribution
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The distribution area of the mountain otters from Asia Minor extends from northeast Greece to Eastern Thrace, which belongs to Turkey, and from there further to western and central Turkey, where the species is relatively widespread. The more precise delimitation of the distribution area is unclear, in particular there is no information about the eastern distribution limit. Occurrences are assumed for the Bulgarian- Turkish border region, but there are no reports from Bulgaria itself. The species is also found on various islands in the Aegean Sea such as Samothraki and Sámos as well as the Dodecanese islands Pátmos , Lipsí , Léros , Kalymnos , Kos and Symi .
habitat
The mountain otter of Asia Minor is bound to a stony, mostly very calcareous subsoil and occurs in its range in locations from 0 to 2,500 m above sea level. It prefers habitats rich in vegetation with a large proportion of bushes as vegetation. She lives in forest areas in which Lebanon cedars ( Cedrus libani ) and Calabrian pines ( Pinus brutia ) dominate, in mixed forests, in Greek maquis , in wet meadows and reed beds, as well as in fallow farmland, olive groves , cultivated meadows and scree slopes. It is more common near water than in drier areas.
Way of life
activity
As with most snake species in Europe, the activity of the mountain otters in Asia is very dependent on the outside temperature. It is mainly nocturnal, especially in spring and autumn, it shifts its main activity times to the warmer times of the day. Depending on the altitude and climate, there is a hibernation of up to six months, which begins between October and December and lasts until March or April.
nutrition
Observations on the diet of the Asian mountain otters from the wild are very rare, so that the level of knowledge here is low. In captivity, the snakes eat small mammals and birds, and as juvenile snakes they also eat insects and small lizards. As with most vipers, it can be assumed that the animals have a relatively unspecific food spectrum. In addition to the mammals and birds already mentioned, mountain otters are also supposed to plunder bird nests in late spring and summer and climb into low trees and bushes to do so.
Larger prey animals such as rats or mice are attacked with a poison bite and are usually released again and pursued, while smaller prey animals are held by the snake with its jaws until they are dead and then begin to devour them.
Reproduction and development
As with nutrition, information about the snake's reproduction is primarily available from observations in captivity. According to this, the first mating season after hibernation and the first moult is in spring. It begins with finding a partner and a period of around ten to 14 days with comment fights between the males. The males impress by lifting their upper bodies ( vertical display ) and pushing against each other, trying to push the opponent to the ground ( topping ). Only after these and various attunement rituals of the potential partners do pairings take place . Depending on the region, these then take place in the period from February to April, and another mating season can follow in October.
After about three to four and a half months, the females give birth to two to 24 young snakes. These are only covered by a paper membrane that is pierced during or within a few minutes after birth ( ovoviviparia ). The young snakes have a body length of about 18 to 21 centimeters with a weight of 5.6 to 9.8 grams. The first moult takes place around ten to 21 days after birth. The snakes become sexually mature after about two years at the earliest, but usually only after three (males) to four (females) years.
Predators
A number of birds of prey , owls and predators as well as other species of snakes within their range come into question as predators of the Asian mountain otters , among these are mainly short-toed eagles ( Circaetus gallicus ), eagle owl ( Bubo bubo ), Caspian arrow snake ( Dolichophis caspius ) within the European range. , stone marten ( Martes foina ) and red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). Young animals also fall victim to smaller predators, such as kestrels ( Falco tinnunculus ), weasels ( Mustela nivalis ), hedgehogs ( Erinaceidae ) or the Scheltopusik ( Pseudopus apodus ).
Taxonomy
The first description of the Asia Minor Mountain Otter was in 1849 by John Edward Gray as Daboia Xanthina , and it was classified in the genus Vipera in 1869 by Strauch.
The taxonomic classification of mountain otters is currently under discussion, which is why there are two alternative generic names in the literature. Traditionally, the mountain otter was assigned to the genus Vipera and formed within this a species complex with a number of other species, which is known as the Vipera xanthina complex. All species within this complex share anatomical features with the mountain otter and live scattered across Asia Minor in higher altitudes of relatively isolated mountain landscapes.
Including the mountain otter, the genus Montivipera now includes the following species:
- M. albicornuta
- M. albizona
- Lebanese mountain otter ( M. bornmuelleri )
- Taurian mountain otter ( M. bulgardaghica )
- Alborz Mountain Otter ( M. latifii )
- Armenian mountain otter ( M. raddei )
- Wagner's mountain otter ( M. wagneri )
- Asian mountain otter ( M. xanthina )
Up until a few years ago, some of these species were considered to be subspecies of the Asian mountain otter, although the species status of V. bulgardaghica or V. albicornuta, for example, is still controversial today.
In 1999, it was proposed that this complex be relocated from the genus Vipera under the new genus name Montivipera , although this was only able to establish itself to a limited extent in the literature. In 2005 Joger and Nilson led the mountain otters under the species name Montivipera xanthina and the database The Reptile Database established the genus Montivipera as a separate genus and separated it from Vipera . Mallow et al. 2003 leads this and the other species, however, still under the established names within the genus Vipera and assign them to the subgenus Montivipera .
By Lenk et al. In 2001 the monophyly of the Montivipera species was confirmed as a separate taxon via immunological studies. According to the results, however, these represent the sister group of two great viper species ( Macrophia ) within a complex of Daboia , Macroocket and the Montivipera species, whereby the genus Vipera with the inclusion of the subgenus Montivipera is no longer a natural relatives group with all descendants of a parent species (monophyletic Group) is durable and to be regarded as paraphyletic.
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This view is confirmed by Garrigues et al. 2004, in which the vipers form a European section from different Vipera species as well as an oriental section from the named genera Daboia and Macroypena and the Montivipera species. Today all species of the xanthina complex of the genus Montivipera are added accordingly .
Snake venom
Knowledge of the venom of the Asian mountain otters is relatively limited, especially since it was regularly confused with the Palestine aviper ( Vipera palestinae ) in previous studies and a lot of epidemiological data have to be related to this species. Accordingly, there is no sufficient information available about the frequency of bites today.
Composition and effect
Like most viper poisons, the poison of the Asian mountain otter is primarily hemotoxic , i.e. it destroys cells of the blood and the tissues surrounding them with various proteases . Hemotoxins lead to tissue destruction, internal bleeding and swelling as well as necrosis and are very painful. The most effective components of the poison include proteins that suppress blood clotting and thus together with the tissue-destroying components cause internal bleeding. There are also neurotoxins , which can have a paralyzing effect on the nervous system; However, due to the low levels of neurotoxin in humans, corresponding effects are very rare.
The effect of the poison largely corresponds to that of other European vipers. The bite results in swelling with necrosis and increased bleeding at the site of the bite. In addition, the person concerned usually has hypotension and other shock symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and often diarrhea. In rare cases, unconsciousness or impaired consciousness occurs; fatal bite accidents are unknown with this type of snake.
There are a number of polyvalent antivenins available for treatment , which act unspecifically in most Vipera species in Europe and the Middle East. However, these are only used on the advice of a doctor if the symptoms are more severe.
Hazard and protection
The Asia Minor Mountain Otter is assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as not endangered (least concern) due to its large distribution area and the large assumed population . However, the numbers are declining, and in some Turkish areas the population is endangered by excessive collective removal for the pet market.
Like all European snake species, it is included in Appendix II of the Bern Convention ( Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Animals and their Natural Habitats ) and thus enjoys strict protection within the European Union . The animals may neither be killed nor caught, keepers of this type of snake must present appropriate certificates of origin and breeding.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
Most of the information in this article has been taken from the sources given under literature; the following sources are also cited:
- ↑ a b c d e All information from Joger & Nilson 2005 and Mallow et al. 2003
- ^ G. Nilson, C. Andrés: The mountain vipers of the middle east - The Vipera xanthina complex (Reptilia, Viperidae). Bonn Zoological Monographs No. 20, Bonn 1986; ISBN 3-925382-20-8
- ↑ a b All information from Mallows et al. 2003
- ↑ Montivipera in The Reptile Database ; Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ↑ Lenk, P., S. Kalayabina, M. Wink & U. Joger: Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 19; 2001: 94-104. ( Full text PDF )
- ↑ Thomas Garrigues, Catherine Dauga, Elisabeth Ferquel, Valérie Choumet and Anna-Bella Failloux: Molecular phylogeny of Vipera Laurenti, 1768 and the related genera Macroypena (Reuss, 1927) and Daboia (Gray, 1842), with comments about neurotoxic Vipera aspis aspis populations. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 35 (1), 2005; Pp. 35-47.
- ↑ Nikolaus Sümple, Ulrich Joger: Recent advances in phylogeny and taxonomy of Near and Middle Eastern Vipers - an update. ZooKeys 31 (2009), Special Issue. ( PDF download ( Memento of the original from January 8, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this note. ).
- ↑ Montivipera xanthina in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2007. Posted by:. Böhme, W., Lymberakis, P., Tok, V., Ece, I., Sevinç, M. & Crochet, PA, 2006. Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
- ↑ Appendix II of the Bern Convention
literature
- David Mallow, David Ludwig, Göran Nilson: True Vipers. Natural History and Toxicology of Old World Vipers , Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar (Florida) 2003, pp. 150-159, ISBN 0-89464-877-2
- Ulrich Gruber: The snakes in Europe and around the Mediterranean . Franck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart 1989. ISBN 3-440-05753-4
- Ulrich Joger, Göran Nilson: Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849) - Bergotter. In Ulrich Joger, Nikolai Stümpel: Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians in Europe; Volume 3 / IIB, Snakes (Serpentes) III Viperidae. Aula-Verlag, Wiebelsheim 2005; Pages 63-76. ISBN 3-89104-617-0
- Axel Kwet: Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe . Franck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart 2005. ISBN 3-440-10237-8
- Benny Trapp: Amphibians and reptiles of the Greek mainland. Natur und Tier - Verlag, Münster 2007, pp. 264–267. ISBN 3-86659-022-9
Web links
- Species portrait on gifte.de
- Photos of the Asian mountain otters on www.herp.it
- Montivipera xanthina in The Reptile Database
- Montivipera xanthina inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Wolfgang Böhme, Petros Lymberakis, Varol Tok, Ismail H. Ugurtas, Murat Sevinç, Pierre-André Crochet, Yakup Kaska, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Aziz Avci, Nazan Üzüm, Can Yeniyurt, Ferdi Akarsu, 2009. Accessed September 10 2013.
