Eine neue Art des Vipera berus-Komplexes aus der Türkei

Abstract

AbstractVipera baranin. sp. from northwestern Turkey is a member of the euro-siberian group within the genus Vipera. It is characterized by the following peculiarities: 1) Higher ventral count than V. ursinii and V. kaznakovi (145). 2) ♀ with a higher subcaudal count than V. ursinii, V. kaznakovi and V. berus (37). 3) Loreal scales and head plates divided to an extent as in the western European V. aspis (5 "loreals", 34 "intercanthals and intersupraoculars", parietals fully divided into small scales). 4) Different from V. aspis in having only one row of subocular scales between eye and supralabials. 5) The three specimens known up to now are totally melanistic, with white supralabials and a bright yellow underside of tail. The possibility ofy hybrid nature of the only preserved specimen is discussed and dimissed. As long as no further material is known, the relationships of V. barani to the other species can not be clarified.