Vipera walseris the most recently recognized European viper. This rare species is endemic to a small area in the Piedmont Alps of Italy, but its closest relatives are found among the Caucasian viper species. In order to provide a starting point for a phylogenetic and biogeographic investigation based on osteology, and including fossils remains, we analyzed four specimens ofV.walserand compared them with specimens of the four other Italian viper species. Based on these specimens, we improved the diagnosis ofV.walserand provided a first evaluation of intraspecific variability and ontogenetic variation. The skull ofV.walseris subject to significant variation, most likely related to ontogeny in some cases (i.e., development of the parietal crest, development of the basioccipital process, shape of the posterior margin of the parabasisphenoid, shape of the quadrate). Based on the studied material, it is possible to distinguishV.walserfrom the other Italian vipers by the shape of the occipital crest of the supraoccipital, which is posteriorly directed, whereas it is laterally directed in the other species. The osteological diagnosibility provides further support for the validity ofV.walseras a distinct species fromVipera berus.

Skull osteology of Vipera walser (Squamata, Viperidae): Description, variability, ontogeny, and diagnostic characters in comparison to other Italian vipers

Bernardini, Federico;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Vipera walseris the most recently recognized European viper. This rare species is endemic to a small area in the Piedmont Alps of Italy, but its closest relatives are found among the Caucasian viper species. In order to provide a starting point for a phylogenetic and biogeographic investigation based on osteology, and including fossils remains, we analyzed four specimens ofV.walserand compared them with specimens of the four other Italian viper species. Based on these specimens, we improved the diagnosis ofV.walserand provided a first evaluation of intraspecific variability and ontogenetic variation. The skull ofV.walseris subject to significant variation, most likely related to ontogeny in some cases (i.e., development of the parietal crest, development of the basioccipital process, shape of the posterior margin of the parabasisphenoid, shape of the quadrate). Based on the studied material, it is possible to distinguishV.walserfrom the other Italian vipers by the shape of the occipital crest of the supraoccipital, which is posteriorly directed, whereas it is laterally directed in the other species. The osteological diagnosibility provides further support for the validity ofV.walseras a distinct species fromVipera berus.
2020
early view
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/3733880
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