Vipera ursinii moldavica populations of the Romanian Danube-Delta

Abstract

During three field-trips, we examined 101 meadow vipers (Vipera ursinii moldavica) from two populations in the Romanian Danube-Delta. We examined 42 animals from population Sfântu-Gheorge and 59 from Periteaşca. We recorded morphometric data on every animal and we collected blood-samples from 48 adult individuals for genetic analysis using RAPD and microsatellite markers. The average similarity was 46% based on morphological data, while 67% based on RAPD results, with no significant differences between populations. The average heterozigosity was 75% in the Periteaşca population and 68% in the Sfântu-Gheorge population, and 13% of the genetic variability was divided between the populations.

Keywords

• Meadow viper
• Vipera ursinii moldavica
• morphological characters
• RAPD
• microsatellite