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BackgroundThe blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a medically important snake species in the Middle East. Its nominate subspecies Macrovipera l. lebetina is confined to Cyprus, where it is the only dangerously venomous snake species and heavily pursued. Despite the viper’s large size, data on its body mass and sex-specific morphological differences are scarce. It is commonly believed that M. l. lebetina prefers freshwater proximity during summer. Hence, we aimed at investigating M. l. lebetina sex-specific morphological differences and its possible attraction to freshwater bodies in late summer.MethodsMorphometric characteristics, proximity to water and conservation status of M. l. lebetina were investigated in Paphos district (Cyprus) in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Vipers were caught in different habitats, examined morphologically for metric and meristic characters, and released back into their habitat. Additionally, local people were interviewed about the conservation situation of the species.ResultsOf 38 recorded blunt-nosed vipers, morphological characteristics were collected from 34 (10 adult males, 16 adult females, eight unsexed juveniles). Rounded total length (ToL) ranged from 23.5 cm to 133.0 cm and weight between 10 g and 1456 g. Adult males significantly exceeded adult females in tail length (TaL), ToL and head length (HL). No significant sex-specific differences were found in snout-vent length (SVL), head width (HW), weight or body condition index (BCI), nor for the ratios TaL / SVL, TaL / ToL, HL / SVL or HL / HW. Adult females from late summer (2015) had a significantly lower mean BCI than those from spring (2014).Distances of blunt-nosed vipers to the nearest water bodies (natural and artificial, respectively) did not differ significantly between spring (2014) and late summer (2015). There was also no significant difference between the distances of vipers to natural and to artificial water bodies in spring (and late summer).ConclusionsAdult male blunt-nosed vipers exceed adult females in TaL, ToL and HL. Adult females are likely in a more vulnerable body condition in late summer than in spring. Periodic drying out of freshwater bodies in summer probably does not affect the species’ occurrence. Educational workshops and habitat conservation are recommended for reducing human-viper conflict.

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EinfuhrungDie GesetzmaBigkeiten der raumlichen Verteilung der Bodeneigenschaften sind von verschiedenen Faktoren abhangig, und zwar vom bodenbildenden Substrat, vom Relief und vom ZuschuBwasser (Fridland, 1972;Haase, 1973). Die wichtigsten Variabilitatsfaktoren sind fur verschiedene Standorte spezifisch und unterschiedlich. In der Zone der Verbreitung der Podzoluvisols bei einheitlichen lithologischen Entstehungsbedingungen ist das Relief der wichtigste Faktor der Differenzierung der Bodendecke und -eigenschaften (Melluma, 1968). Durch das Relief sind die wichtigsten Differenzierungsprozesse bedingt: Erosion, Akkumulation, Vergleyung, Podsolierung. Eine Analyse der Literaturdaten 1aBt auf eine wesentliche und langfristige Wirkung des Reliefs auf die Dynamik der Bodeneigenschaften sogar auf kleinen Flachen (1-2 ha) schlieaen, z. B. in Dauerfeldversuchen, trotz verschiedener AusgleichsmaBnahmen. Effect of microrelief on the spatial variability of carbon content of a Podzoluvisol in a long term field trialThe relationship between microrelief and spatial distribution and variability of the soil C,-content was investigated in a long term field experiment with different fertilizer and herbicide treatments near Moscow. Only 2 0 1 of the C,-variability were related to agricultural factors. In order to analyse the influence of the microrelief on soil C,-content the relief was formalized. This formalization included the calculation of the local inclination, local water gathering area and local relative intensity of the temporary water streams, while distinguishing between convex and concave relief forms. Relief forms of different order were identified by kriging with different distances between the block centers. The parameters of the formalized relief were compared with the C,-content of the soil by means of sernivariograms and correlations. Through combination of relief parameters, it was possible to divide the field into different elements characterized by different correlations and effect types. The water gathering relief forms with maximal values of the relative intensity of the water streams and the arched forms with increasing intensity reduced soil C,-content. C,-accumulation occurred at transit positions between the convex and concave relief forms with medium intensity.

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