A new population and subspecies of the critically endangered Anatolian meadow viper Vipera anatolica Eiselt and Baran, 1970 in eastern Antalya province

In: Amphibia-Reptilia
Authors: Bayram Göçmen 1 , Konrad Mebert 2 , Mert Karış 1 , Mehmet Anıl Oğuz 1 , and Sylvain Ursenbacher 2
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  • 1 Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
  • 2 Section of Conservation Biology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Online Publication Date:
01 Aug 2017
In:
Volume 38: Issue 3
Article Type:
Research Article
Pages:
289–305
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00003111
Keywords:
conservation; distribution; food; genetics; habitat; morphology; Turkey; Vipera anatolica

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We report on a new population of Vipera anatolica from the Geyik Mountain Range in eastern Antalya Province, Turkey. It represents only the second known location, and is situated in a valley about 200 km east from the terra typica at Kohu Dağ in western Antalya Province. We compare both populations and, based on marked differences in morphology, habitat, genetics, and its geographically isolated location, we describe the recently discovered population as a new subspecies. Aspects of ecology, threats, and conservation needs are discussed.

In:
Amphibia-Reptilia
E-ISSN:
1568-5381
Print ISSN:
0173-5373
Publisher:
Brill
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