Zamenis Longissimus Research Articles

Dark colour aberrations in reptiles are rarely mapped and poorly understood. We document the first axanthism-like Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) from Lombardy, Italy, and merge this record with 44 earlier reports from the literature and iNaturalist. An ensemble ecological niche model calibrated with three uncorrelated WorldClim variables (i.e., mean annual temperature, mean diurnal temperature range and annual precipitation) achieved good performance (AUC = 0.84 ± 0.04; TSS = 0.58 ± 0.08). Mean diurnal temperature range emerged as the strongest predictor, with suitability increasing in warmer regions that experience smaller day–night thermal amplitudes. Predicted hotspots for the dark morph include the Atlantic coasts of Spain and France, the Tyrrhenian margin from Liguria into Piedmont, the eastern Adriatic littoral, and Black Sea coastlines of Russia, Georgia and Turkish Thrace. These areas largely coincide with published and citizen-science records, lending confidence to model outputs despite the sparse dataset. Anyway, the genetic basis and fitness effects of this colour remain untested; directed surveys and molecular work in the predicted zones are now needed. Our map offers a concise guide for future sampling.

Edge populations can harbor unique genetic diversity shaped by historical isolation and play a key role in species' resilience and range expansion under ongoing climate warming. The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) reaches the northern limit of its range in Central Europe, where isolated populations may provide key insights into the species' evolutionary potential and conservation priorities. In Bohemia (the western Czech Republic), only one reproducing population, in the vicinity of Stráž nad Ohří (SO), had previously been confirmed north of the species' continuous distribution. Here, we report two additional reproducing populations recently discovered through long-term monitoring: one at the Želinský meander (ZM) and another in Central Bohemia (CB). The ZM population is autochthonous, viable, and genetically remarkable, harboring two divergent mitochondrial haplotypes: the widespread Eastern phylogeographical clade haplotype E1 and a novel haplotype, W10, belonging to the Western clade. This represents the first confirmed record of a Western clade haplotype in the Czech Republic, and only the second known locality within the species' entire range where both clades coexist. In contrast, the CB population-founded by human-mediated translocation from SO-is expanding dynamically and is represented solely by E1, the only haplotype previously recorded in the country. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating genetic data into conservation planning and understanding species' evolutionary potential. The mitochondrial diversity uncovered at the ZM exemplifies how historical processes, isolation, and lineage mixing shape contemporary genetic structure. Preserving such populations, which retain unique evolutionary diversity, will be critical for maintaining the resilience of Z. longissimus in Central Europe. More broadly, disjunct northern populations may serve as reservoirs of genetic diversity, enhancing adaptive potential and supporting future range expansion under climate change. Recognizing and conserving this diversity is essential not only for local persistence but also for species-level resilience in a rapidly changing environment.

Genitalia diversity has long been an object of evolutionary and functional morphology studies, with a primary focus on male copulatory organs. Despite extensive studies on snake genitalia, particularly hemipenes, female copulatory organs remain understudied. This research aims to fill this gap by modifying a recently introduced silicone modeling methodology for preparation and by describing female snake genitalia for seven previously undescribed species. The methodology is based on employing a two-component condensation silicone into snakes’ genitalia to create internal models for intersexual comparative morphology. We conducted a comprehensive examination of seven Old World snake species – Boidae: Eryx jaculus, Colubridae: Dolichophis caspius, Zamenis longissimus, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Coronella austriaca, and Viperidae: Vipera ammodytes, and V. berus. Our results reveal significant variations in female genitalia morphology and we speculate that this is also reflected in copulation adjustment between the different types of species’ genitalia.

Understanding the success of animals in novel environments is increasingly important as human-mediated introductions continue to move species far beyond their natural ranges. Alongside these introductions, inhabited and agricultural areas are spreading, and correspondingly most animal introductions occur in populated areas. Commensal species which can live alongside humans by making use of specific conditions, structures, or prey, have a significant advantage. Introduced mammal species often use anthropogenic features in their environment and demonstrate a higher tolerance of human disturbance, but their importance remains understudied in ectotherms. The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is an ectotherm which has been introduced beyond the northern extremities of its natural range. To understand their persistence, we radio-tracked snakes daily over two active seasons, including high-frequency tracking of a subset of males. We investigated snake home range size using Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimators (AKDE). Using AKDE-weighted Habitat Selection Functions we identified preferences for habitat features in a mosaic of habitats, and we used Integrated Step Selection Functions to further explore how these features influence movement. We revealed a particular preference for buildings in male snakes, while females preferred woodland. We demonstrate that the success of this ectothermic predator is likely tied to a willingness to use human features of the landscape.

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the causative agent of ophidiomycosis, poses a potential threat to wild snakes worldwide. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the prevalence of O. ophidiicola in archived snake moults collected from the San River Valley in the Bieszczady Mountains, Poland, from 2010 to 2012. Using qPCR for O. ophidiicola detection and conventional PCR for clade characterisation, we analysed 58 moults and one road-killed specimen of Zamenis longissimus and Natrix natrix. A novel combination of primers (ITS2L) was used to simultaneously confirm SYBR Green-based qPCR results and perform genotyping. O. ophidiicola has been detected from two Z. longissimus and one N. natrix specimens. The identified clade (I-B) is consistent with those found in wild snakes of eastern Europe and San River Valley, indicating that O. ophidiicola has been present in this region for at least a decade. This study underscores the value of historical samples in understanding the long-term presence of pathogens and highlights the potential role of environmental reservoirs in the persistence of O. ophidiicola. Our findings are crucial for informing conservation strategies for the endangered Aesculapian snake populations in Poland, emphasising the need for ongoing monitoring and habitat management to mitigate the potential impact of ophidiomycosis.

The author of the article attempts to discuss unpublished Karol Husarski's play The Aesculapian snake. This text shows differences and similarities between two existing typescripts of the drama by the interwar period's poet, which are in the book collection of the Silesian Library in Katowice. The author is also looking for the traces of the romantic drama in the work of Husarski.

The paper presents preliminary data on amphibian and reptile fauna from Corcova (Mehedinți county). The commune, with an area of 75.32 km2, is located in the south-west of Romania (north-east of the county), on the right bank of the Motru River. Hills prevail in terms of landforms. The study aimed to update the herpetological database with new information resulting from research conducted between March and October 2022. The preliminary list includes: 10 species of amphibians (Urodela - 3 species: Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris and Anura - 7 species: Bombina bombina, Hyla orientalis, Pelobates fuscus, Bufotes viridis, Rana dalmatina, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, P. ridibundus) and 11 species of reptiles (2 species of turtles: Testudo hermanni, Emys orbicularis; 4 species of lizards: Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Podarcis tauricus, Anguis fragilis; 5 snake species: Dolichophis caspius, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata). The variety of habitats, the temperate-continental climate with sub-Mediterranean influences, the trophic resource have influenced the diversity of herpetofauna in the area. The highlighted species of amphibians and reptiles are listed on different national protectionist lists (ordinances, laws, etc.). Species that are subject to special habitat conservation measures have drawn our attention: Testudo hermanni, Emys orbicularis, Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus (Annex 3 to OUG 57/2007).

This multiproxy work presents the archeozoological analysis of fish and microvertebrate remains from the Middle Bronze Age tell site of Borsodivánka (Borsod Plain, North-eastern Hungary). The fish faunal assemblage provides valuable data on the choice of exploited consumption patterns, taphonomy, and aquatic paleoenvironmental conditions at the site during the Bronze Age. Only freshwater taxa are present in the assemblage, for example, northern pike (Esox lucius); cyprinids: roach (Rutilus rutilus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), common chub (Squalius cephalus) and common nase (Chondrostoma nasus); and percids: European perch (Perca fluviatilis) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Herpetofaunal and micromammal remains are also part of this study, improving our knowledge of the site’s freshwater ecosystem. The grass snake (Natrix cf. natrix) and the European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis), typical of aquatic ecosystems, are associated with the Aesculapian ratsnake (Zamenis longissimus), more typical of forest, shrubland, and grassland. The presence of amphibians such as toads (Bufo/Bufotes sp.) and frogs (Rana sp.) complete the herpetofaunal list. The microvertebrates also support a mature fluvial system, as represented by taxa like the European water vole (Arvicola amphibius). Other micromammals are present, such as the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the group of the common/field vole (Microtus arvalis/agrestis), the European mole (Talpa europaea), and the house mouse (Mus musculus). All of them are common in forests, shrubland, and grassland. However, the commensal house mouse is more commonly associated with anthropogenic areas. In conclusion, Borsodivánka is characterized by a diverse landscape mosaic, displayed by the co-existence of a well-developed forest and a freshwater inland ecosystem with agricultural land in the wider area. Finally, the Tisza River and its flood plain represented the main water source close to the site, distinguished by the dominance of fish species from deep and slow-flowing waters.

In this paper, we present the recapitulation of the research of amphibian and reptile fauna in the Smederevo municipality. For Serbia, three amphibian species were for the first time detected in Smederevo - (Triturus dobrogicus, Pelobates balcanicus and Pelophylax lessonae). In the literature, occurrence of Vipera berus was also mentioned. Since Smederevo is an important industrial centre, many amphibian and reptile habitats were lost due to urbanization, degradation and pollution, and surface waters were especially affected. Habitat degradation probably led to the local extinction of population of the Adder. Still, increased field effort and inclusion of citizen science led to the first discoveries of Pelobates fuscus and Coronella austriaca in Smederevo, and re-confirmation of the historical entries of Salamandra salamandra and Triturus dobrogicus. The remaining species were mapped to a greater extent, and some species which were previously known from only a few records (Lissotriton vulgaris, Emys orbicularis and Zamenis longissimus) are now mapped in much wider area. The presence of human introduced reptile species such as Trachemys scripta ssp., Mediodactylus kotschyi and Pogona vitticeps is also recorded, with Kotschyi's gecko probably being naturalized. Future research should focus on re-confirmation of the remaining historical records (Pelobates balcanicus) and identifying more habitats of the rare and vulnerable species and protecting them.

Data on new findings of the Aesculapian skidder Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in the Republic of Adygea, specifying the northern border of the species’ habitat, are given. Z. longissimus should be considered a naturally rare species throughout the entire part of its distribution in the Republic of Adygea. Apparently, the direct destruction of these snakes by humans is the main threat to the species in the region.

Seven species of snakes were revealed in 1997–1998, six of which (Natrix tessellata, N. natrix, Zamenis longissimus, Hierophis caspius, Platyceps najadum, and Elaphe sauromatus) were in the lower part of the slope, in the area of mediterranean vegetation. In 2001– 2003, the first three species were revealed only, and their numbers significantly decreased, reaching a maximum in the middle part of the slope, in the zone of transition from mediterranean vegetation to broad-leaved forests. In 1999–2000, the recreational load on the coastal area sharply rose, which probably was the cause for the species composition reduction and changes of the spatial distribution in snakes.

This paper describes an Early Pleistocene amphibian and squamate assemblage from the Dacian Basin, southern Romania. The fossil sample allows for the identification of a moderately diverse assemblage, which includes representatives of 13 genera of the families Salamandridae (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus sp.), Bombinatoridae (Bombina sp.), Hylidae (Hyla aff. Hyla arborea), Bufonidae (Bufo bufo), Pelobatidae (Pelobates syriacus), Ranidae (Ranidae indet., Pelophylax sp., Rana ?temporaria, Rana sp.), Lacertidae (Lacertidae indet.), Anguidae (Pseudopus sp.), Natricidae (Natrix natrix), and Colubridae (Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus). The taxonomic composition of the Early Pleistocene amphibian and squamate assemblage from Copăceni is similar to the one reported from other Romanian sites of the same age, and also to that of Recent Romanian herpetofaunas. The amphibian and squamate assemblage from Copăceni supports the existence of a permanent freshwater body, of neighbouring forests or shrubberies, and thick soil, in an Early Pleistocene climate that was warmer than the present one.

Tail vibration – a newly described defensive behaviour of the Aesculapian snake Zamenis longissimus

An anomalous phenotype of the Italian Aesculapian snake Zamenis lineatus from Mt. Etna, Sicily

Marking individuals is a key component of many ecological studies, but with some animals, such as juvenile snakes, it has proven problematic because of size constraints. This impedes our understanding of their habits in the wild. We marked juvenile Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) in North Wales with visible implant elastomer (VIE), and recaptured them the following season. Our results demonstrate that the use of VIE is an effective marking method for small snakes, negating the need for tissue removal when marking. We suggest it represents a promising development in the ecological study of snakes, and is especially useful in species that undergo ontogenetic pattern changes.

First record of the aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) in South Wales

ABSTRACT The paper presents the results of the study of vertebrate fossil assemblages recovered from the Grot Skeliastyi rock shelter in south-western Crimea (Ukraine). The deposition of its fossil-bearing layers covers the time span from the Late Glacial to the early Holocene. The studied sample consists of 2,736 bones belonging to 52 species of vertebrates (including 3 fishes, 1 amphibian, 12 reptiles, 10 birds, 26 small and large mammals). Among them, the past presence of the Aesculapian snake, four-lined ratsnake, squacco heron, tree pipit, and water pipit in the region is here documented for the first time. Extinct taxa in the faunal assemblage of Grot Skeliastyi were represented by wild horse, European ass, steppe bison, and woolly mammoth. Remains of small animals were accumulated due to the feeding activity of the eagle owl, while bones of large mammals could have been a part of the prey of carnivores but mostly are associated with the hunting activity of ancient people who inhabited the rock shelter. Most of the species persisted from the Pleistocene to the Holocene without losses. Our results indicate that the Pleistocene/Holocene transition in Crimea was not characterised by drastic faunal changes unlike those in other parts of Eastern Europe.Not StartedCompletedRejected

Herpetofauna is of interest in protected areas because of the large number of protected species. We studied the herpetofauna of Cozia National Park (CNP) between 2016 and 2018. CNP is situated in the central part of the Southern Romanian Carpathians. We recorded 10 species of amphibian (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and R. temporaria), and 11 reptile species (Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Podarcis muralis, Darevskia praticola, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis colchica, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes). Reptiles dominate in number of species, number of individuals and distribution records. CNP is situated at the northern limit of the distribution range of some of these reptiles, notably D. praticola and V. ammodytes. Mountain species associated with a colder, moist climate are very rare or even absent. Zootoca vivipara is restricted to the highest areas of Mount Cozia, above 1 350 m. Although mountain species are well represented in other Carpathian regions, the warmer, drier climate of CNP and its surroundings has limited their distribution in the area, pushing Z. vivipara to higher and higher altitudes. Lacerta agilis is syntopic with all the other lizard species. In some areas, as many as four lizard species cohabitate. The distribution of the herpetofauna in CNP has been negatively influenced by past human activity. The dams on the River Olt have favoured species related to large, stagnant bodies of water, in a region where such habitats were naturally missing. In addition, massive deforestation has decreased the abundance of herpetofauna in many areas of CNP.

Abstract Among reptiles only snakes are known to frequently feed on bats and even inside this group chiropterophagy is rare, with most records being noted in the tropics. In the temperate region and especially in Europe, only a handful of cases have been described. Here, we report further cases of bat predation in underground habitats of Bulgaria, highlighting the importance of the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) predation on bats in the Western Palearctic. Until now, 11 species of bats have been recorded as preys of snakes in Europe. Our observations are the first records of snake hunting on Mediterranean horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus euryale) and on greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) in Europe, and only the third to fourth observation of underground predation. The observation in a short time of two incidences of hunting in a fairly small area, coupled with the regular presence of snakes in cave environments, may suggest a more common bat hunting habit for Aesculapian snakes. Bat predation of snakes in the Balkan region (or in the Mediterranean) certainly is more common than previously assumed. The number of records may increase substantially with targeted search during crepuscular and night hours in the entrance area of underground bat shelters.

What has happened to the females? Population trends in the Aesculapian snake at its northern range limit