For citation:
Galiulin D. M., Iryshkov E. S., Chetanov N. A. Dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) in the Perm region: A new species in the regional snake fauna or an accidental finding?. Current Studies in Herpetology, 2026, vol. 26, iss. 1, pp. 26-30. DOI: 10.18500/1814-6090-2026-26-1-2-26-30, EDN: IOSWQK
Dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) in the Perm region: A new species in the regional snake fauna or an accidental finding?
This report details the discovery of 51 individuals of the dice snake Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768) in the Perm region during 2019–2024. The aim of the study was to confirm the species identity of these findings and to assess the stability of the corresponding population. The methods included morphological analysis, electronic tagging using radio-frequency microchips (RFID), and molecular genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Of the 25 individuals tagged, 10 were recaptured, confirming the stability of their population. DNA analysis of three individuals revealed close affinity with a population from the Lower Volga region. The hypothesis of introduction of this population into the region is discussed. The described habitat can be considered the northernmost reliably documented population of the species to date.
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