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| Montivipera xanthina varoli
Afsar, Yakin, Çiçek & Ayaz, 2019
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Abstract
A new Ottoman viper subspecies, Montivipera xanthina varoli n. subsp., is described from the higher altitudes of Gündoğmuş (Antalya). The new subspecies differs from the other M. xanthina populations by pholidosis; higher number of intercanthals and lower number of subcaudalia. Also, the whiteness between windings or spots on dorsum pattern were observed in new subspecies, similar to the southern populations. Furthermore, the spots on the ventrals became denser in the mid-body and forms darker colorization at the end of body of the males and the tail tips are yellowish-orange or light orange on both sexes.
Key words: Viperidae, new subspecies, Montivipera xanthina varoli, n. subsp., systematics, Antalya, Turkey.
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| Figure 2. The holotype of Montivipera xanthina varoli (male) from Geyik Mountains, Antalya, Turkey. |
Montivipera xanthina varoli n. subsp.
Diagnosis: This subspecies has similar characteristics with those of the southern populations according to Nilson & Andren (1986). The whiteness between spots and zig-zag windings in the dorsum is more prominent in the new subspecies than in the southern population, and females have darker greyish-brown skin color than males. Whiteness between blackish spots can be also more prominent in male specimens compared to only adult female specimen. In three male specimens, there was almost no spotting and colorization under the head. The spots on ventrals became denser in the mid-body and forms darker colorization at the end of body. Also, just as stated in Nilson & Andren (1986), in three of the four evaluated specimens, they have neck spots united with the dorsal band. The tail tips of all four specimens are yellowish-orange or light orange while tail tip is yellow for other M. xanthina populations according to Nilson & Andren (1986). In addition to color-pattern properties, new subspecies are differ from M. x. nilsoni by having two series of circumocular scales which is similar to nominate subspecies; M. x. dianae by having lower number of rows of dorsal scales (anterior 23-24; mid-body 23; posterior 17-18); M. x. occidentalis a higher number of intercanthals and dorsal scales rows. Also new subspecies can be distinguished from other M. xanthina populations in Turkey by both having more intercanthals (12, 13) and less subcaudalia (≤30).
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Derivatio nominis: The newly described subspecies were named in honor of Prof. Dr. Cemal Varol TOK who made valuable contributions to Turkish Herpetofauna and also the word “var’ol” is a verb that means “to exist, to stay alive, to be in existence”.
Habitat and Distribution: The specimens were collected in rocky areas with subalpine herbaceous plant vegetation on mountain slope on Mühür Mt. on western of Geyik Mountains, Gündoğmuş/Antalya, Turkey (Figure 5). Euphorbia nicaeensis is common, and Verbascum sp. is also observed in the area. In addition, Astragalus sp. and Juniperus oxycedrus are also seen. There are steppe areas in the higher parts, and moist areas in the regions close to the valley floor. Other sympatrically living reptiles are; Testudo graeca, Anatololacerta pelasgiana, Stellagama stellio, Eirenis modestus, Platyceps najadum and newly described critically endangered viper subspecies Vipera anatolica senliki. Also, Pelophylax bedriagae and Ablepharus budaki were given as sympatric species in Göçmen et al. (2017)
Murat Afsar, Batuhan Y. Yakin, Kerim Çiçek and Dinçer Ayaz. 2019. A New Subspecies of Ottoman Viper, Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849), (Squamata: Viperidae) from Geyik Mountains, Mediterranean Turkey. Ecologica Montenegrina. 22: 214-225. biotaxa.org/em/article/view/57523
Bayram Göçmen, Konrad Mebert, Mert Karış, Mehmet Anıl Oğuz and Sylvain Ursenbacher. 2017. A New Population and Subspecies of the Critically Endangered Anatolian Meadow Viper Vipera anatolica Eiselt and Baran, 1970 in eastern Antalya province. Amphibia-Reptilia. 38: 289-305.
