Vipera bulgardaghica | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Vipera bulgardaghica Nilson & Andrén, 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Common names: Bulgardagh viper.[2]
Vipera bulgardaghica is a venomous viper species endemic in the mountains of southern Turkey.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
Grows to a maximum length of about 78 cm.[2]
Found in the Bulgar Dagh (Bolkar Dagi) mountains of Nigde Province, south central Anatolia, Turkey. The type locality given is "Cilician Taurus (Kar Boghaz, Bulgar Dagh, 2500 m) province Nigde (= Karbogaz, Bolkar dagi UlukiПla), south central Anatolia, Turkey.[1]
This species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1+2e, C2a (v2.3, 1994).[4] This indicates that the extent of its occurrence is estimated to be less than 100 km² or the area of its occupancy is estimated to be less than 10 km². Estimates also indicate that the populations are severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations, and that a continuing decline is inferred, observed or projected, in the number of mature individuals. In addition, the total population is estimated to number less than 250 mature individuals with no subpopulation containing more than 50 such specimens. Year assessed: 1996.[5]
It is also listed as a protected species (Appendix III) under the Berne Convention.[6]
Considered by Golay et al. (1993) to be a subspecies of V. xanthina.[1]