Abstracts

Diversity of the Fauna

Investigations of intraspecific differentiation of steppe viper and degree of interspecific divergence consisting of superspecific taxons of vipers, made until now, show us the complexity of phylogenetic ties of these reptiles. However, findings do not answer the question of divergence degree of subspecific grouping of species completely and, therefore the question of validity of their allocation. Vast morphological investigations are traditional methods in solving this problem. Using of methods of computer processing of materials, on the results of which this message about steppe viper is based, is proposed with a view of automation of analysis of primary morphological data.

Analysis of morphological signs of steppe viper is based on the data of field investigations, carrying out in 1999-2000, and on collection materials of Zoological museums of Russia and Ukraine. Traditional in morphology viper exterior figures were analyzed. 230 vipers with 45 signs from South – East of Ukraine, and European part of Russia, East Kazakhstan and South – West of Austria were elaborated. Statistic elaboration of findings was carried out with using the methods of cluster analysis, recognizing of appearance and program informational complex “Systematika”, realized in program environment Delfi 5 and oriented on operational system Windows 95/98.

Comparison of the studying series on morphological signs with using the indicated complex let divide all investigated samples into three classes. The first group – the studied West – European vipers correspond to description of V.u.ursinii, and their abode is attached to the indicated for this form of the territory. Samples, forming the second group, especially series from Volgo-Donsk country between rivers and Prikaspiyskaya plain (Astrakhnskaya region), are attached spatially to areas, including type territory of V.u.renardi, and corresponding to the appearance of this subspecies.

The third group of samples of Northern Right-bank Povolzhiye is most specific in morphological aspect. For example, comparison of Privolzhsky populations to populations of species of Southern Ukraine, Eastern Kazakhstan and Northern Caucasus let us find true difference according to 6 showing. These differences are the highest (on the level of subspecies) for head proportions (L.cap./Lt.cap.,L.pil./L.cap., Lt.cap./rostr.), quantity of abdominal scutums, quantity of forehead scutums. Simultaneously, high specificity of the Right-bank Povolzhiye population with respect to the zavolzhskiye populations was found, viz Volgogradsko-Rostovskiye to Astrakhanskiye series. These differences (on the level of subspecies) apply to the head proportions and quantity of abdominal and undernail scutums.

The carrying out investigations showed that geographical populations of vipers from North of their spreading to Povolzhye from Saratov, Uliyanovsk, Samara regions and Republic of Tatarstan are highly specific, that defines expediency of their isolating to the separate group of subspecies rank. These differentiation can be caused as by outskirts position in the bounds of area as by the character of penetration of snakes to this territory in historical aspect. For determination of the final toxonomical status of these settlements the further investigations with using morphological, modern biochemical and citogenetic methods are necessary.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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