Vipera (/ˈvɪpərə/; commonly known as the palaearctic vipers[2] and Eurasian vipers[3]) is a genus of vipers. It has a very wide range, being found from North Africa to just within the Arctic Circle and from Great Britain to Pacific Asia.[3] The Latin name vīpera is possibly derived from the Latin words vivus and pario, meaning "alive" and "bear" or "bring forth"; likely a reference to the fact that most vipers bear live young.[4] Currently, 21 species are recognized.[5] Like all other vipers, the members of this genus are venomous.
The members of this genus tend to be stout and small in size, the largest of them, V. ammodytes, can reach a maximum length of 95 cm and the smallest, V. monticola, reaches a maximum length of 40 cm. The heads of the members of this genus are clearly separated from the body, they are triangular in shape and in most species are covered in small scales, although in some species, notably V. berus, have small plates on the top of their heads. Most species have large supraocular scales that tend to extend beyond the posterior margin of the eye. Some species also have some sort of horn on the head, either right behind the nasal scale, or behind the supraocular scales. The color scheme and camouflage of the members of this genus vary widely, from a grayish ground color with dark brown transverse bands to browner colors with grey transverse bands edged with black in the case of V. ammodytes.[3]
Most species prefer cooler environments. Those found at lower latitudes tend to prefer higher altitudes and dryer, rocky habitats, while the species that occur at more northern latitudes prefer lower elevations and environments that have more vegetation and moisture.[3]
All members are viviparous, giving birth to live young.[3]
Venom
Most Vipera species have venom that contains both neurotoxic and haemotoxic components. Bites vary widely in severity. V. ammodytes is most likely the one with the most toxic venom. In a study solely involving mice, Brown (1973) shows that the LD50 is about 1.2/mg/kg through an IV, 1.5 mg/Kg when injected in the peritoneum (IP) and 2.0 mg/kg when administered subcutaneously.[6] V. berus venom is considered to be on the lower end of the scale when it comes to toxicity, (Minton, 1974) suggests that the LD50 values for mice are about 0.55 mg/kg IV, 0.80 mg/kg IP and 6.45 mg SC.[7] Venom yield tends to be lower in this species with Minton citing 10–18 mg per bite in specimens 48–62 cm while Brown suggest only 6 mg for the same sized specimens. However, bites from Vipera species are rarely as severe as those from larger Macrovipera or Daboia.[3]
Fossil record
The oldest species of this genus is the Early MioceneVipera antiqua from Southern Germany.[8] The earliest known Vipera antiqua fossil has been dated to 22.5 million years ago.[9] A very large indeterminate Vipera was found in the Early Pliocene deposits of Mallorca. This species surpassed in size all modern revatives, with a length of nearly 2 m (6 ft 7 in), and was one of the biggest predators of its ecosystem.[10]
Southeastern France, eastern Austria (extinct), Hungary, central Italy, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, northern and northeastern Albania, Romania, northern Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, northwestern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and across the Kazakhstan, Kirgizia and eastern Uzbekistan steppes to China (Xinjiang).
* Not including the nominate subspecies. T: type species
References
^ abcdMcDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN1-893777-01-4 (volume).
^Spawls S, Branch B (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa: Natural History, Species Directory, Venoms and Snakebite. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books / Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN0-88359-029-8.
^ abcdefghMallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN0-89464-877-2
^Gotch AF (1986). Reptiles – Their Latin Names Explained. Poole, UK: Blandford Press. 176 pp. ISBN0-7137-1704-1.
^Brown JH (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN0-398-02808-7.
^Z. Szyndlar and H. H. Schleich. 1993. Description of Miocene snake from Petersbuch 2 with comments on the lower and middle Miocene ophidian faunas of southern Germany. Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde, Series B. Geologie und Palaontologie (192)1-47
^Šmíd, Jiří; Tolley, Krystal A. (2019). "Calibrating the tree of vipers under the fossilized birth-death model". Scientific Reports. 9 (5510): 5510. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-41290-2. PMC6445296. PMID 30940820.
^Bailon, S., Bover, P., Quintana, J., & Alcover, J. A. (2010). First fossil record of Vipera Laurenti 1768 “Oriental vipers complex” (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Early Pliocene of the western Mediterranean islands. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 9, 147–154.
^"Vipera orlovi ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
^Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN978-1-4214-0135-5. (Vipera orlovi, pp. 196-197).
Further reading
Arnold EN, Burton JA (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. 272 pp. ISBN0-00-219318-3. (Genus Vipera, pp. 211, 214).
Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the ... Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Genus Vipera, pp. 471–472.)
Laurenti JN (1768). Specimen medicum, exhibens synopsin reptilium emendatam cum experimentis circa venena et antidota reptilium austriacorum. Vienna: Joan. Thom. Nob. de Trattnern. 214 pp. + Plates I-V. (Genus Vipera, p. 99). (in Latin).
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vipera.
Vipera at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 6 August 2007.
January 04, 2023
vipera, commonly, known, palaearctic, vipers, eurasian, vipers, genus, vipers, very, wide, range, being, found, from, north, africa, just, within, arctic, circle, from, great, britain, pacific, asia, latin, name, vīpera, possibly, derived, from, latin, words, . Vipera ˈ v ɪ p e r e commonly known as the palaearctic vipers 2 and Eurasian vipers 3 is a genus of vipers It has a very wide range being found from North Africa to just within the Arctic Circle and from Great Britain to Pacific Asia 3 The Latin name vipera is possibly derived from the Latin words vivus and pario meaning alive and bear or bring forth likely a reference to the fact that most vipers bear live young 4 Currently 21 species are recognized 5 Like all other vipers the members of this genus are venomous ViperaTemporal range 22 5 0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Early Miocene RecentAsp viper V aspisScientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder SquamataSuborder SerpentesFamily ViperidaeSubfamily ViperinaeGenus ViperaLaurenti 1768Synonyms 1 Vipera Laurenti 1768 Pelias Merrem 1820 Chersea Fleming 1822 Rhinaspis Bonaparte 1834 Rhinechis Fitzinger 1843 Echidnoides Mauduyt 1844 Mesocoronis A F Reuss 1927 Teleovipera A F Reuss 1927 Acridophaga A F Reuss 1927 Mesovipera A F Reuss 1927 Mesohoronis A F Reuss 1927 Mesohorinis A F Reuss 1927 Latastea A F Reuss 1929 Tzarevcsya A F Reuss 1929 Latasteopara A F Reuss 1935 Contents 1 Description 2 Geographic range 3 Habitat 4 Behavior 5 Reproduction 6 Venom 7 Fossil record 8 Species 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksDescription EditThe members of this genus tend to be stout and small in size the largest of them V ammodytes can reach a maximum length of 95 cm and the smallest V monticola reaches a maximum length of 40 cm The heads of the members of this genus are clearly separated from the body they are triangular in shape and in most species are covered in small scales although in some species notably V berus have small plates on the top of their heads Most species have large supraocular scales that tend to extend beyond the posterior margin of the eye Some species also have some sort of horn on the head either right behind the nasal scale or behind the supraocular scales The color scheme and camouflage of the members of this genus vary widely from a grayish ground color with dark brown transverse bands to browner colors with grey transverse bands edged with black in the case of V ammodytes 3 Geographic range EditThey can be found all around the Old World hence the common name of the genus Old World vipers they can be found most notably in Europe from Portugal to Turkey They can also be found on some islands in the Mediterranean Sea Sicily Elba and Montecristo and the United Kingdom They can also be found in the Maghreb region of Africa with species living in Morocco V monticola and northern parts of Algeria and Tunisia in the case of V latastei Many species can also be found in the Caucasus mountains parts of Iraq Jordan Israel and Syria Only one species V berus discovered so far lives in East Asia most notably North Korea northern China and northern Mongolia 3 Habitat EditMost species prefer cooler environments Those found at lower latitudes tend to prefer higher altitudes and dryer rocky habitats while the species that occur at more northern latitudes prefer lower elevations and environments that have more vegetation and moisture 3 Behavior EditAll species are terrestrial 3 Reproduction EditAll members are viviparous giving birth to live young 3 Venom EditMost Vipera species have venom that contains both neurotoxic and haemotoxic components Bites vary widely in severity V ammodytes is most likely the one with the most toxic venom In a study solely involving mice Brown 1973 shows that the LD50 is about 1 2 mg kg through an IV 1 5 mg Kg when injected in the peritoneum IP and 2 0 mg kg when administered subcutaneously 6 V berus venom is considered to be on the lower end of the scale when it comes to toxicity Minton 1974 suggests that the LD50 values for mice are about 0 55 mg kg IV 0 80 mg kg IP and 6 45 mg SC 7 Venom yield tends to be lower in this species with Minton citing 10 18 mg per bite in specimens 48 62 cm while Brown suggest only 6 mg for the same sized specimens However bites from Vipera species are rarely as severe as those from larger Macrovipera or Daboia 3 Fossil record EditThe oldest species of this genus is the Early Miocene Vipera antiqua from Southern Germany 8 The earliest known Vipera antiqua fossil has been dated to 22 5 million years ago 9 A very large indeterminate Vipera was found in the Early Pliocene deposits of Mallorca This species surpassed in size all modern revatives with a length of nearly 2 m 6 ft 7 in and was one of the biggest predators of its ecosystem 10 Species EditImage Species 1 Taxon author 1 Subsp Common name Geographic range 1 V altaica Tuniyev Nilson amp Andren 2010 0 Eastern Kazakhstan V ammodytes Linnaeus 1758 4 Horned viper North eastern Italy southern Slovakia western Hungary Slovenia Croatia Bosnia Herzegovina Serbia Montenegro Albania North Macedonia Greece including Macedonia and Cyclades Romania Bulgaria Turkey Georgia and Syria V anatolica Eiselt amp Baran 1970 0 Anatolian meadow viper southwestern Turkey V aspisT Linnaeus 1758 4 Asp viper France Andorra northeastern Spain extreme southwestern Germany Switzerland Monaco the islands of Elba and Montecristo Sicily Italy San Marino and northwestern Slovenia V berus Linnaeus 1758 3 Common European adder From western Europe Great Britain Scandinavia France across central Italy Albania Bulgaria and northern Greece and eastern Europe to north of the Arctic Circle and Russia to the Pacific Ocean Sakhalin Island North Korea northern Mongolia and northern China V darevskii Vedmederja Orlov amp Tuniyev 1986 0 Darevsky s viper The southeastern Dzavachet Mountains in Armenia and adjacent areas in Georgia V dinniki Nikolsky 1913 0 Dinnik s viper Russia Great Caucasus and Georgia high mountain basin of the Inguri River eastward to Azerbaijan V eriwanensis Reuss 1933 2 Alburzi viper Armenian steppe viper Armenia northwestern Iran northeastern TurkeyV graeca Nilson amp Andren 1988 0 Greek meadow viper Albania and Greece V kaznakovi Nikolsky 1909 0 Caucasus viper Northeastern Turkey Georgia and Russia eastern Black Sea coast V latastei Bosca 1878 3 Lataste s viper Extreme southwestern Europe France Portugal and Spain and northwestern Africa the Mediterranean region of Morocco Algeria and Tunisia V lotievi Nilson et al 1995 0 Caucasian meadow viper The higher range of the Big Caucasus Russia Georgia and Azerbaijan V monticola H Saint Girons 1954 0 Atlas mountain viper High Atlas Mountains Morocco V nikolskii Vedmederja Grubant amp Rudajewa 1986 0 Ukraine central and southern Russia Romania MoldovaV orlovi 11 Tuniyev amp Ostrovskikh 2001 0 Orlov s viper 12 Western Caucasus V renardi Christoph 1861 5 Steppe viper Ukraine Russia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Tadzikistan Mongolia and China V sakoi Tuniyev Avci Tuniyev ILGAz OLGun PetrovA BoDrov Geniez amp Teynie 2018 0 Turkey V seoanei Lataste 1879 1 Baskian viper Extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal V transcaucasiana Boulenger 1913 0 Transcaucasian long nosed viper Republic of Georgia northwestern Azerbaijan northern Turkey and Iran V ursinii Bonaparte 1835 0 Meadow viper Southeastern France eastern Austria extinct Hungary central Italy Croatia Bosnia Herzegovina northern and northeastern Albania Romania northern Bulgaria Greece Turkey northwestern Iran Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Russia and across the Kazakhstan Kirgizia and eastern Uzbekistan steppes to China Xinjiang V walser Ghielmi Menegon Marsden Laddaga amp Ursenbacher 2016 0 Piedmont viper Northwestern Italy in the Pennine Alps Not including the nominate subspecies T type speciesReferences Edit a b c d McDiarmid RW Campbell JA Toure TA 1999 Snake Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference Volume 1 Washington District of Columbia Herpetologists League 511 pp ISBN 1 893777 00 6 series ISBN 1 893777 01 4 volume Spawls S Branch B 1995 The Dangerous Snakes of Africa Natural History Species Directory Venoms and Snakebite Sanibel Island Florida Ralph Curtis Books Dubai Oriental Press 192 pp ISBN 0 88359 029 8 a b c d e f g h Mallow D Ludwig D Nilson G 2003 True Vipers Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers Malabar Florida Krieger Publishing Company 359 pp ISBN 0 89464 877 2 Gotch AF 1986 Reptiles Their Latin Names Explained Poole UK Blandford Press 176 pp ISBN 0 7137 1704 1 Vipera Integrated Taxonomic Information System Retrieved 13 August 2006 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 Minton SA Jr 1974 Venom Diseases Springfield Illinois Charles C Thomas 256 pp ISBN 978 0 398 03051 3 Z Szyndlar and H H Schleich 1993 Description of Miocene snake from Petersbuch 2 with comments on the lower and middle Miocene ophidian faunas of southern Germany Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde Series B Geologie und Palaontologie 192 1 47 Smid Jiri Tolley Krystal A 2019 Calibrating the tree of vipers under the fossilized birth death model Scientific Reports 9 5510 5510 doi 10 1038 s41598 019 41290 2 PMC 6445296 PMID 30940820 Bailon S Bover P Quintana J amp Alcover J A 2010 First fossil record of Vipera Laurenti 1768 Oriental vipers complex Serpentes Viperidae from the Early Pliocene of the western Mediterranean islands Comptes Rendus Palevol 9 147 154 Vipera orlovi The Reptile Database www reptile database org Beolens Bo Watkins Michael Grayson Michael 2011 The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press xiii 296 pp ISBN 978 1 4214 0135 5 Vipera orlovi pp 196 197 Further reading EditArnold EN Burton JA 1978 A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe London Collins 272 pp ISBN 0 00 219318 3 Genus Vipera pp 211 214 Boulenger GA 1896 Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum Natural History Volume II Containing the Viperidae London Trustees of the British Museum Natural History Taylor and Francis printers xiv 727 pp Plates I XXV Genus Vipera pp 471 472 Laurenti JN 1768 Specimen medicum exhibens synopsin reptilium emendatam cum experimentis circa venena et antidota reptilium austriacorum Vienna Joan Thom Nob de Trattnern 214 pp Plates I V Genus Vipera p 99 in Latin External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vipera Vipera at the Reptarium cz Reptile Database Accessed 6 August 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vipera amp oldid 1127678018, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
