Vipera renardi

Ontogenetic Changes in the Properties of the Poisonous Secretion of Vipera renardi (Reptilia: Viperidae)

The paper presents the results of our long-term (August 2014–October 2016) observations of changes in some properties of the poisonous secretion of eastern steppe vipers of the nominative subspecies Vipera renardi renardi (Christoph, 1861) during their postembryonic ontogenesis. The poisonous secretion of newborn vipers differed from the venom of adult snakes by an increased protease activity and the absence of any L-amino acid oxidase activity; all newborns had colorless venom.

Condition of Populations and the Conservation Status of the Vipera renardi (Christoph, 1861) (Reptilia, Serpentes) in the Saratov Region

Authors: Tabachishin V. G., Yermokhin M. V.

The historical and modern distributions of the steppe viper (Vipera renardi) in the territory of the Saratov region are analyzed. The condition of its local populations in various parts of the area is shown. The ne-cessity of monitoring and determining its conservation status in the publication of the Red DATA Book of the Saratov Region are established.

COMPARATIVE DATA ON THE LEUKOCYTIC BLOOD FORMULA OF VIPERA BERUS AND VIPERA RENARDI

Authors: Romanova E. B., Solomaykin E. I., Bakiyev A. G., Gorelov R. A.

The leukocytic formulae of the peripheral blood of Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Samara region (Samara City) and Vipera renardi (Christoph, 1861) from the Saratov region (Khvalynsk district) were studied. Some features of the leukocytic blood composition of the species studied were revealed, manifested by the predominance of a specific component in the immune reactions of Vipera berus, in comparison with Vipera renardi.

VENOM’S YIELD AND VENOM’S PROPERTIES OF EASTERN STEPPE VIPER VIPERA RENARDI AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF ITS SEASONAL ACTIVITY

Authors: Malenyov A. L., Gorelov R. A., Atyasheva T. N., Bakiev A. G.

The venom yield of the eastern steppe viper Vipera renardi (Christoph, 1861) was shown to be higher in the summer than in the spring and autumn. No seasonal variability of the venom toxicity (the average lethal dose DL₅₀ for banana crickets Gryllus locorojo Weissman et Gray, 2012) and the enzyme activities therein (proteases and L-amino acid oxidase) was detected.