Nuclear markers support the mitochondrial phylogeny of Vipera ursinii–renardi complex (Squamata: Viperidae) and species status for the Greek meadow viper

Abstract

Meadow vipers (Vipera ursinii-renardi complex) are small-bodied snakes that live in either lowland grasslands or montane subalpine-alpine meadows spanning a distribution from France to western China. This complex has previously been the focus of several taxonomic studies which were based mainly on morphological, allozyme or immunological characters and did not clearly resolve the relationships between the various taxa. Recent mitochondrial DNA analyses found unexpected relationships within the complex which had taxonomical consequences for the detected lineages. The most surprising was the basal phylogenetic position of Vipera ursinii graeca, a taxon described almost 30 years ago from the mountains of Greece. We present here new analyses of three nuclear markers (BDNF, NT3, PRLR; a first for studies of meadow and steppe vipers) as well as analyses of newly obtained mitochondrial DNA sequences (CYT B, ND4).Our Bayesian analyses of nuclear sequences are concordant with previous studies of mitochondrial DNA, in that the phylogenetic position of the graeca clade is a clearly distinguished and distinct lineage separated from all other taxa in the complex. These phylogenetic results are also supported by a distinct morphology, ecology and isolated distribution of this unique taxon. Based on several data sets and an integrative species concept we recommend to elevate this taxon to species level: Vipera graeca Nilson & Andrén, 1988 stat. nov.

A trait‐based framework for understanding predator–prey relationships: Trait matching between a specialist snake and its insect prey

“…The Greek Meadow Viper, Vipera graeca (Nilson & Andrén, ), is a poorly known cold‐adapted snake living in alpine meadows between 1,600 and 2,200 m above sea level in the Pindos mountain range in Albania and Greece (Mizsei et al, ). Originally described as a subspecies, molecular studies confirmed the lineage as basal to the entire complex (Ferchaud et al, ; Nilson & Andrén, ) and was subsequently elevated to species level (Mizsei, Jablonski, Roussos, et al, ). Vipera graeca is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List due to its small and severely fragmented distribution, ongoing habitat degradation (mostly by overgrazing), mortality from intentional killing by shepherds and vulnerability to climate change (Mizsei, Szabolcs, Dimaki, Roussos, & Ioannidis, ; Mizsei, Szabolcs, et al, ).…”

The distribution of meadow and steppe vipers (<em>Vipera graeca</em>, <em>V. renardi</em> and <em>V. ursinii</em>): a revision of the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe

“…Further mitochondrial and nuclear DNA evidences also support the species status of these lineages (Zinenko et al 2015;Mizsei et al, 2017). A recent taxonomic change has also influenced the current known distribution of this group, as the Greek meadow viper Vipera graeca, a former subspecies of V. ursinii, was elevated to the species level (Mizsei et al, 2017). Additionally, most of the distribution within the former Soviet Union is poorly understood because of the lack of accessible observation records.…”

“…The latter was not accepted previously as a full species by the Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH) (footnote 9 on table 3 in Sillero et al, 2014a), despite that species delimitation between V. ursinii and V. renard i had been proved or discerned (Nilson Andrén, 2001;Ferchaud et al, 2012;GvoŽdík et al, 2012). Further mitochondrial and nuclear DNA evidences also support the species status of these lineages (Zinenko et al 2015;Mizsei et al, 2017). A recent taxonomic change has also influenced the current known distribution of this group, as the Greek meadow viper Vipera graeca, a former subspecies of V. ursinii, was elevated to the species level (Mizsei et al, 2017).…”

First record and genetic affiliation of the Balkan Snow Vole <I>Dinaromys bogdanovi</I> (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Albania

“…This is not a rule, especially in mountain "sky-islands" species of the region with scattered distribution in current interglacial refugia (see Podnar et al 2014;Mizsei et al 2017).…”