Occurrence of European Adder (Vipera berus, Viperidae, Ophidia) on Vlasina Plateau (Southeastern Serbia)

Abstract

Crnobrnja-Isailović, J., Dinov, J., Ranđelović, V.: Occurrence of European Adder (Vipera berus,Viperidae, Ophidia) on Vlasina Plateau (Southeastern Serbia). Biologica Nyssana, 2 (1), September 2011:81-84.

The European adder (Vipera berus) is among the most widespread reptile species in Europe, but it’sdistribution at the Balkan Peninsula seems to be scarce and fragmented. As going toward the south,specimens were more frequently found in the vegetational zone of boreal forests and high alpine pastures. Inthe South-eastern Serbia, recent occurrence of European adder was confirmed on the Vlasina Plateau, in June2010, in a mosaic-complex of peat bogs and marsh vegetation. Recent engagement of ecology students fromUniversity of Niš in mapping actual local distribution of adder will help locating key spots for itsconservation in this area.

Key words: distribution, European adder, Vipera berus, Vlasina plateau