{"id":2708,"date":"2020-01-13T20:09:20","date_gmt":"2020-01-13T20:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/?page_id=2708"},"modified":"2023-10-06T10:33:15","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T10:33:15","slug":"vipera_monticola","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/ficha\/vipera_monticola\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Viper"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Mountain Viper
\nVipera monticola<\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Saint Girons, 1953<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Por\u00a0Gabriel Mart\u00ednez del M\u00e1rmol
\n<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Updated: 6\/10\/2023<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Taxonomy: Serpentes | Viperidae | Vipera | Vipera monticola<\/p>\n

\"\"
Vipera monticola monticola. Oukaimeden. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0 V. m. monticola<\/em>
\n<\/span>\"\"\u00a0 V<\/em>. m. saintgironsi\u00a0<\/em>
\n<\/span>\"\"\u00a0 V. m. atlantica<\/em><\/p>\n

Distribution map of Vipera monticola <\/span><\/em>in Morocco.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

<\/h2>\n

Phylogenetic Frame<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

The Mountain Viper was considered a subspecies of the Horned Viper Vipera latastei<\/em> (Saint Girons, 1954; Sochurek, 1979), until Beerli et al.<\/em> (1986) elevated it to the rank of species for having a smaller number of dorsal scales in the center of the body (19 while V. latastei<\/em> has 21-23), smaller dimensions (less than 40 cm) and a different dorsal pattern. However, posterior works with phylogenetic analysis again doubted on the specific range of Vipera monticola<\/em> (Brito et al.<\/em>, 2006; 2008).<\/p>\n

Subsequent work confirms that Vipera monticola<\/em> as it was considered to be an invalid species, since molecular analyzes showed that it was a simple ecotype adapted to high mountains within the North African lineage of the latastei-monticola<\/em> complex (Velo-Anton et al.<\/em>, 2012).<\/p>\n

Freitas et al.<\/em>, (2018) made a phylogenetic analysis including more samples and suggested that the North African Vipera<\/em> lineages deserved the consideration as a separate species from Vipera latastei<\/em>, with 3 different lineages: 1) Riff Mountains, Middle Atlas and East from the High Atlas, Algeria and probably Tunisia; 2) The populations of the Tichka plateau and 3) the most genetically different of all, the populations of the High Atlas areas in front of Marrakech (Oukaimeden, Jbel Toubkal) and the Jbel Sirwa.<\/p>\n

Finally the recent work of Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.,<\/em> (2021) proposed that all North African populations of the genus Vipera<\/em> should be considered Vipera monticola<\/em>, describing two new subspecies: V. m. saintgironsi<\/em> and V. m. atlantica<\/em> respectively. In this way, V. latastei<\/em> would currently be an Iberian endemism.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Description<\/h2>\n

V. monticola<\/em> \u0623\u0641\u0639\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u0637\u0644\u0633 , Mountain Viper or Vip\u00e8re naine de l\u2019Atlas, was considered the smallest viper in the genus Vipera<\/em> Laurenti, 1728 with a maximum length of 345 mm (Spawls and Branch, 1995). However, while V. m. monticola<\/em> and V. m. atlantica<\/em> are subspecies of reduced size, specimens of V. m. saintgironsi<\/em> may exceeded 50cm (although, however, there are also dwarf populations of V. m. saintgironsi<\/em> in areas such as eastern Morocco or the Aures mountains of Algeria; Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.<\/em>, 2021).<\/p>\n

\"Vipera
Vipera monticola saintgironsi in situ. Western Rif Mountains. Photo: \u00a9 Abdelghani Ilhes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The head is large, well differentiated from the body, and with medium-sized, copper-colored eyes with black, vertical pupils. It features the large horn-shaped rostral scale as occurs in Vipera latastei<\/em>. The supralabial scales often have small markings of the same color as the zigzag on the back. It is a solenoglyphous species and has two venom-inoculating teeth connected to cytotoxic venom glands.<\/p>\n

It is a robust snake like most of the vipers of its genus. The scales are keeled, counting 19 mid-body scales in the nominate and atlantica<\/em> subspecies, and 19-23 (often 21) in saintgironsi<\/em> (Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.<\/em>, 2021). The tail is short, differentiated from the body, longer in males and with a less abrupt base than females, often with black or yellow coloration.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Vipera
Head close-up. V. m. monticola. Oukaimeden. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Vipera
Detail of the tail, yellow in some specimens. V. m. monticola. Oukaimeden. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

As in many of the species of the genus, males are usually greyish in color and females are brown in color. The nominal and atlantica<\/em> subspecies show a dorsal pattern made up of a straight line that starts at the head and ends at the tail, and this line has transversal markings. The transverse markings when leaving the head are mixed with the line that runs along the dorsal part forming a zigzag, but soon after the markings are located parallel, clearly distinguishing themselves from the common wide zigzag in specimens of V. m. saintgironsi<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Vipera
Dorsal photo of Vipera monticola monticola. Oukaimeden. Photo: \u00a9 Philip de Pous.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"arundana
Vipera monticola atlantica: male (grey) and female (brown). Tichla Plateau. Photo: \u00a9 Abdellah Bouazza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"monticola
Dorsal photo of a Vipera monticola saintgironsi. Eastern Rif Mountains. Photo: \u00a9 David Donaire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

V. m. monticola<\/em> and atlantica<\/em> are similar in appearance, although atlantica<\/em> is generally the one with the smallest size, and a higher number of intercantal and intrasupraocular scales, as well as ventral scales (for detailed information, see Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.<\/em>, 2021).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ecology and habits
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Mountain Viper is an eminently terrestrial species with apparently diurnal habits. It should only have a hibernation or diapause period in the coldest months, as activity has been observed between March and April even in high mountain areas in the High Atlas to November at 1800 m in the Rif mountains (Donaire et al<\/em>., 2017; H. Iglesias, pers. comm<\/em>.; Westerstr\u00f6m, 2010).<\/p>\n

\n
\"Vipera
Individual of Vipera monticola monticola observed active in March, when most of its habitat was still covered by snow. High Atlas. Photo: \u00a9 Honorio Iglesias Garc\u00eda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is a viviparous species. In a study with two gravid females of the nominate subspecies, the maximum number of hatchlings was 4. At birth they measured a maximum of 13.5 cm (Scheich et al.<\/em>, 1996).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Vipera monticola monticola, juvenile with a 2\u20ac coin to compare size. September 2023. High Atlas. Photo: \u00a9 Ondra Tr\u00e1vn\u00ed\u010dek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The nominate subspecies feeds on insects and reptiles (Chalcides montanus, Atlantolacerta andreanskyi, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus<\/em>) and accepts small rodents in captivity (Schleich et al.<\/em>, 1996). For the capture of the fast Great Atlas day gecko Quedenfeltia trachyblepharus<\/em>, the tail could serve as bait in the hunting technique known as caudal luring, described for Vipera latastei<\/em> (Parellada and Santos, 2001; J. P. Gonz\u00e1lez de la Vega, pers. comm.<\/em> ). The adults of the not dwarf populations of V. l. saintgironsi <\/em>probably prey on larger species: birds or rodents (e.g. Apodemus sylvaticus<\/em> as suggested by Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/span><\/p>\n

\"caudal
Vipera monticola saintgironsi in situ. The position suggests a possible caudal luring behavior to attract the preys. Ksar el Kbir. Photo: \u00a9 Inco Nu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has not been confirmed that they have predators. As a defense when disturbed, it usually tries to flee to the nearest refuge at great speed. If prevented from fleeing, it reacts like most vipers: it coils, hisses, and launches attacks at the would-be assailant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"monticola
Juvenile specimen of Vipera monticola saintgironsi. Near the lake of Tislit. Eastern High Atlas. Photo: \u00a9 Philippe Geniez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Distribution, habitat and abundance<\/h2>\n

V. m. monticola<\/em> is an endemism of Morocco that inhabits the central zone of the High Atlas, in the Toubkal massif, between 1,200-4,000 m (Geniez et al<\/em>., 1992; Bons and Geniez, 1996; Schleich et al.<\/em>, 1996; Phelps , 2010; Miras et al.<\/em>, 2011) and the Sirwa massif (Pillet, 1994; Slimani et al.<\/em>, 1996; Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.<\/em>, 2017).<\/p>\n

V.m. atlantica<\/em> is a Moroccan endemism whose presence has only been confirmed in the Tichka plateau (West of the High Atlas, Marrakesh-Safi region). Studies are being made to understand the real distribution of this subspecies and its possible contact areas with V. m. monticola <\/em>(F. Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda, pers. comm.)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

V. m. saintgironsi<\/em> has a larger distribution, including much of the Moroccan High Atlas (east), the Middle Atlas, the Rif Mountains, as well as possibly various isolated populations both in the rest of northern Morocco and in northern Algeria or Tunisia (in the phylogenetic studies weren\u00b4t included samples of some populations and there is still some uncertainty about them, such as those from Tunisia).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"H\u00e1bitat
Habitat of Vipera monticola monticola. High Atlas. Photo: \u00a9 Philip de Pous.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"riff
Habitat of Vipera latastei saintgironsi: a stream between rocks inside a forest. Rif Mountains. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Nominal and atlantica<\/em> subspecies are strictly montane Palearctic relicts that occupy the slopes, scree and rocky slopes with padded thorny shrubs in high mountain areas. Saintgironsi<\/em> subspecies occupies more types of habitats and has been cited from sea level to more than 2000 masl, although, as with Vipera latastei<\/em> in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, its presence is mainly limited to high mountain areas, inhabiting other areas, especially near streams, fountains and other aquatic points where it finds humidity, a higher density of prey and more shelters.<\/p>\n

The survival of coastal populations of Vipera latastei<\/em> in southern Iberia suggests that the Mountain Viper could also survive in well-preserved areas of the Moroccan coast, despite the fact that some studies consider populations such as Saidia to be possibly extinct (Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda et al.<\/em> ., 2021).<\/p>\n

For the nominate subspecies, according to the IUCN criteria, it is in a state of “Near Threatened” (NT; Miras et al.,<\/em> 2011). These authors expose the destruction of the habitat by felling trees as the main cause of the decline of this species. The author of this page fully agrees with these authors, and believe that the greatest threat factor for this species is the habitat destruction. It is a species dependent on well-preserved habitat. In Morocco, the transformation of forest areas into cultivated fields has not stopped increasing in recent years. Areas that have not been converted to agricultural areas often suffer from overgrazing, which in turn probably decreases their populations (by direct death at the hands of sheppers, and because cattle feed on the vegetation that serves as a refuge for the vipers, making them more vulnerable to predators in their movements; and the absence of vegetation idecreases the number of prey such as lacertids or skinks).<\/p>\n

\"\"
Typical high mountain habitat with the landscape competely modified by the sheep. Middle Atlas. \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the areas where it coincides with the Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis<\/em>) and the Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus<\/em>), as it happens in most areas of southern Iberia with Vipera latastei,<\/em> the Mountain Viper is difficult to be found ( both alive and dead), which could be due to the strong pressure exerted by large snakes on these vipers in terms of trophic competition, and to the possible predation of the Montpellier Snake on the Mountain Viper (as has been published with Vipera latastei<\/em>; Meijide, 2017). Studies reveal the expansion of the Montpellier Snake towards ever higher areas due to global warming in southern Iberia (Moreno-Rueda et al.<\/em>, 2009), which seems to be also happening in Morocco (Scaramuzzi et al.<\/em>, 2022), probably affecting more Mountain Viper populations with the time.<\/p>\n

Ackowledgements<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

To Philippe Geniez, Philip de Pous, Abdellah Bouazza, David Donaire, Abdelghani Ilhes, Honorio Iglesias, Ondra Tr\u00e1vn\u00ed\u010dek, Inco Nu and Fernando Mart\u00ednez-Freir\u00eda for their photos or information.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

References<\/h2>\n