On the Distribution and Morphology of the Steppe Viper, Vipera eriwanensis (REUSS, 1933), from Gavur Mountain (Gumushane)

Abstract: Vipera eriwanensis (Reuss, 1933), known only from the localities of the eastern Aras River in Turkey, was morphologically examined and compared with the related species on the basis of one additional specimen from Gavur mountain (province Gümüflhane), situated outside the known localities. This information changed our knowledge of the total distribution of V. eriwanensis, clearly showing that this taxon has expanded its range at least 210 km to the west in eastern Turkey. Furthermore it differs from V. eriwanensisreported from Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan in having a lower number of mid-body scales and loreals, and a higher number of crown scales.

Key Words: Vipera eriwanensis, distribution, morphology, northeastern Turkey

Gavur Da¤›ndan (Gümüflhane) Yakalanan Bozk›r Engere¤inin, Vipera eriwanensis
(REUSS, 1933), Da¤›l›m› ve Morfolojisi Üzerine

Özet: Türkiye’de Vipera eriwanensis’in bilinen lokaliteleri yaln›zca Aras nehrinin do¤usunda yer almaktad›r. Bu lokalitelerden oldukça uzakta, Gavur Da¤›ndan (Gümüflhane) yakalanan yeni bir V. eriwanensis örne¤i morfolojik olarak incelenmifl ve benzer türlerle karfl›laflt›r›lm›flt›r. Bu bilgi bozk›r engere¤i ( V. eriwanensis)’nin Türkiyedeki total da¤›l›m›n›n bilinen lokalitelerden yaklafl›k 210 km bat›ya do¤ru geniflledi¤ini göstermektedir. Ayr›ca, yakalanan bu yeni örnek daha önce Azerbaycan, Ermenistan ve Türkiye’den rapor edilen örneklerden dorsal pullar›n›n ve yanak bölgesindeki plaklar›n say›s›n›n düflük olmas›, ve crownscalenin daha yüksek olmas› ile
farkl›l›k göstermektedir.

Anahtar Sözcükler: Vipera eriwanensis, yay›l›fl sahas›, morfoloji, Kuzey Do¤u Anadolu