Data S3: Morphometric data of the collected adder specimens

As the most widely distributed snake in Eurasia, the adder (Vipera berus) has been extensively investigated in Europe but poorly understood in Asia. The Southern Altay Mountains represent the adder’s southern distribution limit in Central Asia, whereas its population status has never been assessed. We conducted, for the first time, field surveys for the adder at two areas of Southern Altay Mountains using a combination of line transects and random searches. We also described the morphological characteristics of the collected specimens and conducted analyses of external morphology and molecular phylogeny. The results showed that the adder distributed in both survey sites and we recorded a total of 34 sightings. In Kanas river valley, the estimated encounter rate over a total of 137 km transects was 0.15 ± 0.05 sightings/km. The occurrence of melanism was only 17%. The small size was typical for the adders in Southern Altay Mountains in contrast to other geographic populations of the nominate subspecies. A phylogenetic tree obtained by Bayesian Inference based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (1,023 bp) grouped them within the Northern clade of the species but failed to separate them from the subspecies V. b. sachalinensis. Our discovery extends the distribution range of V. berus and provides a basis for further researches. We discuss the hypothesis that the adder expands its distribution border to the southwest along the mountains’ elevation gradient, but the population abundance declines gradually due to a drying climate

AGE STRUCTURE AND BODY SIZE OF Mertensiella caucasica (WAGA, 1876) (CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) IN A POPULATION FROM TURKEY

Here we present the age structure of a breeding Caucasian Salamander population from a high-altitude locality (Kazikbeli Plateau, Kurtun, Gumushane; 2213 m a.s.l.). Age structure was analyzed by counting lines of arrested growth (LAG). Endosteal resorption raised difficulties of counting LAGs. Males were found to be average older than females. Range of age was from 5 to 11 years in males, 4 to 8 years in females and 1 to 3 years in juveniles. Snout-vent length (SVL) of each individual was used as body size and mean values were recorded as 64.24 mm in males, 58.45 mm in females, and 44.60 mm in juveniles. Difference of SVL between sexes was found statistically significant. Meanwhile, male-biased sexual dimorphism was calculated (SDI = -0.099). The SVL was correlated with age in both sexes as strongly positive

Coluber atayevi sp. nov. (Ophidia, Colubridae) from the Kopet-Dag Mountains of Turkmenistan

Volume: 5Start Page: 1End Page: 1

Species composition and comparative-historical aspects of expansion of alien species of vascular plants on the Sochi Black Sea Coast (Russia)

This article provides an overview of 167 alien species of vascular plants of the far south of the Russian Federation. Considered is the distribution of alien species of ecological-altitude belts of the southern macroslope of the western Caucasus, at the interfluve of the rivers Tuapse and Psou and their geographical origin. It shows the predominance of alien species from North America and Eastern Asia. The authors considered an increasing number of alien species and the speed of distribution of the most aggressive invaders. We identified the capability of interchangeability of invasive species during a certain time

Amphibians and reptiles of South Ossetia

For the first time we have summarised the results of the study of batraho- and herpetofauna of the Republic of South Ossetia. We present an Annotated List of species as authentically living in the region, as well as ever mentioned for it in literature, field notebooks, museum collections and our own expeditions in South Ossetia. The batrachofauna of the Republic of South Ossetia counts nine species and the herpetofauna 19 species. It provides a complete inventory of all finds (65 localities). A number of confirmed species have been assigned for the first time in scientific literature for the territory of South Ossetia: Emys orbicularis, Darevskia mixta, Natrix megalocephala, Hierophis schmidti, Pelias dinniki, P. kaznakovi. We detected the morphological specificity of the South Ossetia' populations of Darevskia praticola, D. brauneri and D. caucasica. The Assessment of conservation status has been evaluated for all forms of amphibians and reptiles in the region. According to its results, five amphibian species and ten reptile species are recommended for inclusion into the Red Data Book of the Republic of South Ossetia. The central problem of environmental activities in the Region is the lack of a network of different rank protected areas covering all natural zones and altitudinal belts. The South Ossetian State Nature Reserve is the single protected area of South Ossetia, which provides protection only for three endangered species of amphibians and three species of reptiles

Rare species of shield-head vipers in the Caucasus

An overview is presented on shield-head vipers of the genus Pelias distributed in the post-Soviet countries of the Caucasian Ecoregion. The assessment presents the current conservation status and recommendations to vipers' territorial protection

Systematics of the vipers of the Caucasus: Polymorphism or sibling species?

Volume: 6Start Page: 1End Page: 1