Vipera lotievi explained

Vipera lotievi, commonly known as the Caucasian meadow viper,^[1] is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Etymology

The specific name, lotievi, is in honor of Russian herpetologist K. Yu Lotiev,^[2] who collected the holotype and some of the paratypes.^[3]

Description

Vipera lotievi may grow to a maximum total length (including tail) of 60cm (20inches).^[1]

Reproduction

Vipera lotievi is viviparous.

Range

Vipera lotievi is found in the higher range of the Big Caucasus mountain range in Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

The type locality is listed as "Armkhi, Checheno-Ingushetia, Russia, below Mt. Stolovaya, 2000 m altitude" [Armkhi, Respublika Ingushetiya, Russia,<ref>Google Earth.</ref> 6,600&nbsp;ft].

Further reading

• Nilson G, Höggren M, Tuniyev BS, Orlov NL, Andrén C (1994). "Phylogeny of the Vipers of the Caucasus (Reptilia, Viperidae)". Zoologica Scripta 23 (4): 353-360.
• Nilson G, Tuniyev BS, Orlov N, Höggren M, Andrén C (1995). "Systematics of the Vipers of the Caucasus: Polymorphism or Sibling Species?" Asiatic Herpetological Research 6: 1-26. (Vipera lotievi, new species, pp. 21–24, Figure 22).

Notes and References

1. Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. .
2. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . ("Lotiev", p. 161).
3. Nilson, Tuniyev, et al. (1995). pp. 21-22.