The first European pit viper from the Miocene of Ukraine
Martin Ivanov
The first discoveries of European pit vipers (Crotalinae gen. et sp. indet. A and B) are reported from the Ukrainian Miocene (MN 9a) locality of Gritsev. Based on perfectly preserved maxillaries, two species closely related to pit vipers of the 'Agkistrodon' complex are represented at the site. It is suggested that the European fossil representatives of the 'Agkistrodon' complex are Asiatic immigrants. Pit vipers probably never expanded into the broader areas of Europe during their geological history.
Key words: Snakes, Crotalinae, migrations, Miocene, Ukraine.
Martin Ivanov [paleont@mzm.anet.cz], Department of Geology & Palaeontology, Moravian Museum, Zelný trh 6, 659 37 Brno, Czech Republic.
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