Vipers

The presence of intraspecific color polymorphism can have multiple impacts on the ecology of a species; as a consequence, particular color morphs may be strongly selected for in a given habitat type. For example, the asp viper (Vipera aspis) shows a high level of color polymorphism. A blotched morph (cryptic) is common throughout its range (central and western Europe), while a melanistic morph is frequently found in montane populations, presumably for thermoregulatory reasons. Besides, rare atypical uniformly colored individuals are known here and there. Nevertheless, we found in a restricted treeless area of the French Alps, a population containing a high proportion (>50%) of such specimens. The aim of the study is to bring insight into the presence and function of this color morph by (i) studying the genetic structure of these populations using nine microsatellite markers, and testing for (ii) a potential local diversifying selection and (iii) differences in dispersal capacity y between blotched and non-blotched vipers. Results: Our genetic analyses support the occurrence of local diversifying selection for the non-blotched phenotype. In addition, we found significant color-biased dispersal, blotched individuals dispersing more than atypical individuals. Conclusion: We hypothesize that, in this population, the non-blotched phenotype possess an advantage over the typical one, a phenomenon possibly due to a better background matching ability in a more open habitat. In addition, color-biased dispersal might be partly associated with the observed local diversifying selection, as it can affect the genetic structure of populations, and hence the distribution of color morphs.

Hibernation is a key aspect of the physiological ecology of temperate zone reptiles and where suitable dens are present, communal hibernation and long-term den fidelity may be expected. We studied long-term communal occupancy of hibernation dens in Italy and France by aspic vipers, Vipera aspis. Long-term trends were evaluated using regression analysis of the annual numbers of V. aspis at dens as dependent variables against year as the independent variable. The regression coefficients were tested against a 0 hypothetical coefficient, indicative of population stability. The results indicated that in Italy den numbers were stable from 1987 - 2000. However, after this period to 2017 there was a steep decline in den occupancy as indicated
by a negative regression coefficient that differed significantly from 0. These declines correlated with increasing temperatures and shortened hibernation periods from 2000 and agreed with the general decline in viper numbers at the study area. At the smaller den in France, V. aspis numbers declined significantly during the period of observation and the den was abandoned by the 5th year. This was attributed to absence of females due to mortality of one of the two females and parturition in the
second female. However, in contrast to the situation in Italy the general population in the locality was apparently stable over the period of observation.

The effects of snake venoms have been well known since ancient times. They contain a variety of biologically active proteins which have therapeutic potential. This study investigated the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of Anatolian Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom against various cancer cells, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and a fungal species. A549, HeLa, CaCo-2, U-87 MG and MCF-7 cancer cell lines and a normal cell line (Vero) were screened by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth dilution method. The species included were Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E. coli 0157:H7, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium DSM 13590, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Salmonella typhimurium CCM 5445, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6957, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064 and Candida albicans ATCC 10239. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of M. l. obtusa venom on cultured cells varied from 1.18 ± 0.11 to 12.80 ± 0.22 μg/ml, with the most potent activities against Vero, U-87 MG, MCF-7 and CaCo-2 cells. Venom showed moderate antifungal activity against C. albicans, with an MIC of 62.50 μg/ml. In short, the venom of Anatolian M. l. obtusa showed promising results as a potential source of alternative therapeutics, cytotoxic and antifungal agent prototypes.

Patterns of movement are an important component in animal ecology. In temperate zone reptiles this includes movement soon after emergence from hibernation, often a crucial period for courtship and mating. Due to the effects of climate or habitat, intra-specific differences in movement in different areas might be expected. We examined this possibility using long-term data on the displacements of aspic vipers (Vipera aspis) from their hibernation dens in Italy and France; the two sites differed in latitude, altitude and vegetation cover. We found no statistically significant differences between Italy and France in displacement distances from the dens. However, in both countries displacements were significantly greater in the afternoon in both males and females. This was thought to be due to differences in cover between the localities. The likely explanation is that the movement of the sun across the sky may leave morning basking
positions in the shade and require the snakes to move further from their dens to continue basking.

The presence of intraspecific color polymorphism can have multiple impacts on the ecology of a species; as a consequence, particular color morphs may be strongly selected for in a given habitat type. For example, the asp viper (Vipera aspis) shows a high level of color polymorphism. A blotched morph (cryptic) is common throughout its range (central and western Europe), while a melanistic morph is frequently found in montane populations, presumably for thermoregulatory reasons. Besides, rare atypical uniformly colored individuals are known here and there. Nevertheless, we found in a restricted treeless area of the French Alps, a population containing a high proportion (>50%) of such specimens. The aim of the study is to bring insight into the presence and function of this color morph by (i) studying the genetic structure of these populations using nine microsatellite markers, and testing for (ii) a potential local diversifying selection and (iii) differences in dispersal capacity ...

a round table presentation: The current IUCN-Red List assessments of vipers from northeastern Turkey goes
back to a meeting in 2009. A brief glimpse of their contents regarding range, habitat, ecology and threats reveal a substantial discrepancy to the current state of knowledge of viper species distribution and threat assessements.

We used radiotelemetry during 2004 and 2005 to investigate seasonal movements and habitat use and to improve our understanding of how land management practices were affecting Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) populations in Nebraska. We found Western Massasaugas to brumate in crayfish burrows 100% of the time, and spring emergence occurred during March April. The longest movements occurred during May when snakes were moving away from brumation sites to summer habitat, after which movements decreased until a second peak in August. We did not find significant differences between male and female activity area, range length, total distance moved, daily movement, or distance from spring and fall brumation sites. However the core activity range of females was significantly less than that of males. During the active season, grassland habitat was used 75.6% of the time compared to habitats of grassland-shrubs (10.7%), hydrophilic vegetation (9.1%), woodlands (3.1%), and shrublands (...