Abstract
The karst viper (Vipera ursinii ssp.) favours high-mountain dry grasslands in southern and south-eastern Croatia. It is medically less important than other Vipera species, because of its remote habitat and the very small amount of venom that it injects by its relatively short fangs. The scientific literature on Vipera ursinii deals mostly with the morphology, ecology and distribution range of this snake, due to the species’ conservation issues, while the toxinological aspects of its venom have not so far been investigated. Here we report on the composition and biological activity of the Vipera ursinii ssp. venom. Using a proteomics approach, we have identified 25 proteins in the venom that belong to seven protein families: snake venom metalloproteinase, serine protease, secreted phospholipase A2, cysteine-rich secretory protein, snake C-type lectin-like protein, serine protease inhibitor and nerve growth factor. The Vipera ursinii ssp. venom was found to be distinctively insecticidal. Its lethal toxicity towards crickets was more than five times greater than that of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom, while the opposite held in mice. Interestingly, the mode of dying after injecting a mouse with Vipera ursinii ssp. venom may suggest the presence of a neurotoxic component. Neurotoxic effects of European vipers have so far been ascribed exclusively to ammodytoxins and ammodytoxin-like basic secreted phospholipases A2. Structural and immunological analyses of the Vipera ursinii ssp. venom, however, confirmed that ammodytoxin-like proteins are not present in this venom.
Highlights
Orsini’s viper, Vipera ursinii, is one of the most endangered snake species in Europe
The lethal toxicity of V. ursinii ssp. venom was determined in mice and crickets
Venom was less toxic than V. a. ammodytes venom in mice—its average LD50 was more than 4 times venom was less toxic than V. a. ammodytes venom in mice—its average LD50 was more than 4 times higher than that of V. a. ammodytes venom (Table 1)
Summary
Orsini’s viper, Vipera ursinii, is one of the most endangered snake species in Europe. Four subspecies are officially recognized [1], but an additional one may be introduced based on a recent mitochondrial DNA analysis [2]. Macrops, prefer living at higher altitudes in mountain grasslands (karst vipers), while V. u. The distribution area of V. ursinii is highly fragmented and covers south-western France, central Italy, Hungary, Romania as well as western and eastern parts. Due to the threat of extinction, the Council of Europe adopted, in of the the Dinaric Mountains.
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