First report on a trichromatic lowland Vipera berus bosniensis population in Serbia

Abstract

© 2017. Sonja Nikolić All Rights Reserved. During a capture-mark-recapture (CMR) study in the lowland Vipera berus bosniensis population inhabiting an agricultural landscape, we found that the snakes co-occur in three color morphs and that individual body coloration in adults changes in time. Further investigations should reveal if different morphs offer some survival/selective advantages. Although this population is isolated from conspecifics and exposed to numerous other anthropogenic pressures, snakes are relatively abundant hence the population is of considerable conservation significance. Continuation of our CMR surveys should reveal its trends and prospects.