Morphometric characteristics and seasonal proximity to water of the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

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.

Hospital admissions due to snake envenomation in the Republic of Cyprus: a 7-year retrospective review

“…comm., 6 June 2014). People working outdoors (e.g., farmers, forestry employees, game wardens, hunters, mosquito control workers and shepherds) encounter vipers more often than those from other occupational groups, thus being constantly exposed to the risk of snake envenomation [ 10 ]. In spring, blunt-nosed vipers commonly ambush birds and rodents from underneath shrubs, including caper ( Capparis spinosa ).…”

“…comm., 6 June 2014). Mosquito control workers employed by the Health Department enter streams all over Cyprus on a daily basis, thus permanently encroaching on habitats of M. l. lebetina [ 10 ]. Each mosquito control worker may encounter dozens, and even more than 100 blunt-nosed vipers over the course of a year.…”

“…The ongoing transformation of wild viper habitat into real estate due to property development contributes to higher encounter rates between people and blunt-nosed vipers in Cyprus, thereby increasing the risk of snakebite on the island. Wildfires of anthropogenic origin take place every year and contribute to the loss of wild snake habitat, thus driving snakes closer to people [ 10 ]. Another major risk factor are gardens, agricultural areas and other man-made landscapes with ideal conditions for rodent populations (e.g., organic waste), which in turn attract blunt-nosed vipers ([ 38 ]; H.-J.…”

“…Macrovipera l. lebetina is relatively common in agricultural areas and rocky slopes (Fig. 2 ), occurring from the coastal lowlands to the Troodos mountains [ 2 , 10 ]. Similarly, M. insignitus and T. fallax are found in stony habitats with well-developed vegetation (Phrygiana) [ 2 ].…”

Comparative Venom Proteomics of Iranian, Macrovipera lebetina cernovi, and Cypriot, Macrovipera lebetina lebetina, Giant Vipers

“…In this study, we performed comprehensive venom proteomics of two medically important M. lebetina subspecies, M. l. lebetina from Cyprus and M. l. cernovi from Iran ( Figure 1 ), which have not yet been thoroughly investigated. The subspecies M. l. lebetina or Cypriot blunt-nosed viper is exclusively limited to Cyprus and is found all over the country mostly on agricultural fields and rocky slopes [ 17 ]. Adult blunt-nosed vipers were recorded to feed on birds (e.g., Anthus campestris ) and mammals (e.g., Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus mystacinus ) [ 16 ].…”