The Caspian whipsnake (Squamata: Serpentes: Dolichophis caspius) reaches its northwestern distribution limit in Hungary where it is the single representative of its genus. Recently, several new localities of the species were discovered in Hungary. Focusing on these edge populations and on other ones in the western parts of the distribution, a phylogeographic study based on cytochrome b sequences was carried out. Thereby, a clear mitochondrial divergence was observed in Europe, with eastern and western haplotype groups found by analysing a number of specimens and populations. Our haplotype network analysis suggests a rather rapid postglacial (re)colonization of Europe by this snake species. In Hungary, three different haplotypes were detected.

Abstract:The Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) is a special type of asymmetry in the populations of bilaterally symmetrical creatures. The FA gives us numerical data on the developmental instability of the populations and refers to potential genetical and environmental stressors affecting the populations. Here we give the first data on the FA of the protected Caspian whipsnake (Hierophis caspius) from Hungary. The FA indices of the biggest population from Villány Mts were compared to the FA indices of two differently stressed Dice snake (Natrix tessellata) populations [stressed (Mád) and seminatural (Lake Balaton)]. Based on the values of the multiple and the simple indices derived from sublabial scales, we can say that the status quo of the highly protected Caspian whipsnake population does not represent significant deviation from the near-natural dice snake population from the Lake Balaton.