Vipera bornmuelleri
Lebanese mountain viper ( Montivipera bornmuelleri )
The Lebanese mountain viper ( Montivipera bornmuelleri; Syn Vipera bornmuelleri ) is a type of the Real vipers (Vipera ) within the vipers ( Viperidae ). Its distribution is limited to Lebanon and the border with Syria on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights.
Features
The Lebanese mountain Otter reached an average length of about 50 cm and a maximum length of up to 75 cm at the Hermon. The base color ranges from gray to gray-brown to a darker brown. As a young animal the snake has a marking on the back of a dark zigzag band and similar in the Asia Minor 's viper ( V. xanthina ). Later, the central areas of the zigzag pattern on the bright and it remains an irregular ingot drawing with transom and stains. On the sides of the body, the animals also have wide-set dark spots. The head bears two crescent-shaped spots, which can also be a V- drawing individually. From the temple a temple strap passes over the eyes to the corners of the mouth.
The head is clearly distinct from the neck. The eyes are small and have a vertical pupil. The top of the head is covered with 42-58 small individual scales, whereby at the narrowest point between the well above the eye rim projects above eye shields ( Supraocularia ) are 6 to 9 scales. Below the eyes are two rows of Under Eye shields ( Supraocularia ), including 9 are upper lip shields ( supralabials ). The body scales are keeled. Around the middle of the body are usually 23, rarely 21 rows of scales. The under tail- shields ( Subcaudalia ) are divided as in all species of the genus.
Distribution and habitat
The Lebanese mountain Otter is only found in the higher mountain areas of Lebanon and the Hermon in the Lebanese- Syrian border area. As a habitat, the animals prefer rich in vegetation and characterized by rubble slopes at altitudes 1600-2000 m above sea level. They are particularly common in the cedar forests of the region, where they are likely to need a certain humidity.
Way of life
Very little is known about the life of Lebanon 's viper. It is relatively slow, but it can bite very quickly when threatened. As a warning sound it emits a distinct hiss. It feeds mainly on small mammals such as mice and rats. It is viviparous ( ovivivipar ) and takes 5 to 18 young snakes to the world, at first births only two.
System
The taxonomic classification of the species is currently under discussion, therefore, can be found in the literature, two alternative generic. Traditionally, 's viper of the genus Vipera was assigned and trained within this one Artkomplex with a number of other species, which is known as Vipera xanthina complex. All species within this complex share anatomical features with the mountain otters and live on the small Asian scattered at higher altitudes relatively isolated mountain landscapes.
Including the mountain Otter belong to the genus Montivipera today following ways:
- M. albicornuta
- M. albizona
- Lebanese mountain viper ( M. bornmuelleri )
- Taurian 's viper (M. bulgardaghica )
- Alborz mountain viper ( M. latifii )
- Armenian 's viper (M. raddei )
- Wagner 's viper (M. wagneri )
- Small Asian Mountain Otter (M. xanthina )
Some of these species were a few years ago as a subspecies of Asia Minor 's viper, while the species status, for example, by V. V. bulgardaghica or albicornuta to date is controversial.
1999, a removal from the genus Vipera was proposed under the new generic name Montivipera for this complex, which was able to prevail, however, only limited in the literature. So Joger and Nilson 2005 lead the Mountain Otter under the species name and the database Montivipera xanthina The Reptile Database has the genus Montivipera set up as a separate genus and separated from Vipera. Mallow et al. 2003, however, these and other species continues to lead among the established names within the genus Vipera and assign them to the subgenus Montivipera.
By steering et al. 2001, the monophyly of the Montivipera species was confirmed as a separate taxon by immunological studies. These represent according to the results, however, the sister group of two major viper species ( Macrovipera ) within a complex of Daboia, Macrovipera and Montivipera species is, making the genus Vipera, with involvement of the subgenus Montivipera no more than natural kinship group with all descendants of ancestral species ( monophyletic group) is to be regarded as durable and paraphyletic.
Other genera
True vipers (Vipera )
Montivipera
Macrovipera
Daboia
This view is confirmed by Garrigues et al. 2004, in which the vipers form a European section of different Vipera species and an oriental section of the named genera Daboia and Macrovipera and the Montivipera types .. Today, all kinds of xanthina - Kolmplexes the genus Montivipera be added accordingly.
Snake venom
The poison of the Lebanese mountain Otter is strong hemotoxic, medical treatment with an adequate antivenin is necessary.