• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.149-162
• /
• 1972

韓國産 살모사 亞科의 分類는 종전의 venrals의 數는 中間型이 많이 생기므로 分類特徵이 될수 없어 本人은 새로운 特徵으로 頭部側面에 眼後板에서 목까지에 線狀 무늬의 有無를 分類 特徵으로 定하였다. 全道와 섬에서 採集된 成蛇 337마리와 雪嶽山과 德裕山에서 採集된 임신한 암컷에서 얻은 새끼를 比較하였으며 또한 染色體를 smear法으로 조사해본바, 쇠살모사는 n=16個, 살모사와 까치살모사는 n=15個 였다. 外部形態, 分布, 染色體數를 보아 韓國産 살모사 亞科는 3個의 別個의 集團으로, 즉 Agkistrodon halys, 쇠살모사 Agkistrodon blomnoffii, 살모사 Agkistrodon intermedtas 까치살모사 3種으로 分類하는 것이 타당하다고 사료된다.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2014

In order to study the home range of the red-tongue viper snake (Gloydis ussuriensis) and the short-tailed viper snake (Gloydius saxatilis) belonging to the viperidae of squamat in Korea, we implanted radio-transmitters which were weighed less than 5% of individual mass in them and traced their location by radio-tracking. Surgeries for transmitter insertion were performed on 5 red-tongue viper snakes and 6 short-tailed viper snakes (total 11 individuals) and the average ratio of transmitter mass to body mass were 4.2% and 2.2%, respectively. After radio-transmitter implantation, all short-tailed viper snakes survived but 4 out of 5 red-tongue viper snakes did not survive during the convalescence stage, showing only 20% of survival rate. The results suggest that the ratio of transmitter mass to body mass should be less than 3.6% at least in these species, although previous studies have recommended various ranges from 1% to 7% as the acceptable ratios.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.193-204
• /
• 2014

The distribution of animals is affected by habitat selection, and habitat type and prey resource are important factors affecting their survival. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis) with respect to altitude, habitat type and distribution of potential prey resource in Cheon-ma mountain, Korea. The study area of Cheon-ma mountain was separated into three altitude categories (low, middle, and high altitude) and the habitat types were categorized according to presence or absence of aquatic ecosystem and the preferred habitat in relation to altitude was determined. The distribution pattern of Red-tongue viper snakes was significantly different according to altitude and habitat type: they were mainly distributed at low altitude and in the water valleys. The distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake correlated with that of amphibians. The analyses of microhabitat use of the Red-tongue viper snake and amphibians showed that their microhabitat types were not different significantly in water valleys. In conclusion, Red-tongue viper snakes were mainly distributed in the water valleys at low altitude and this is because amphibians are important as potential prey of the Red-tongue viper snake in Cheon-ma mountain.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 1976

$M_4$-LDH isozyme was partially purified from the skeletal muscle of Agkistrodon blomhoffii brevicaudus. The protein was injected into rabbits and the resulting antiserum was tested for reactivity with crude preparations of LDH isozymes of fifteen vertebrate species. Antisera against $M_4$-LDH isozyme of A. blomhoffii brevicaudus reacted very strongly with the LDH isozymes, except the $H_4$-LDH isozyme, of A. saxatilis and A. caliginosus but weakly with those of Rhabdophis tigrinus at fixed conditions. A. caliginosus showed a difference in the immunodiffusion test and was considered to be a species less related to others of genus Agkisrodon. The suggestion that the H and M lactate dehydrogenase subunits are immunclogically distinct has been reaffirmed in the present study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
• /
• 2010.04a
• /
• pp.131-134
• /
• 2010

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.531-541
• /
• 2014

This research investigated the reproduction cycle, litter size, and the effects of factors of red-tongue viper snake inhabiting in Jeju Island, to delve into their life strategy. Field survey was conducted in Jeju Island from May 2006 to November 2008. Reproduction cycle was analyzed through measurements of testis and follicle sizes in laboratory from March 2009 to December 2010. According to the research results, the sizes of red-tongue viper snake's testis and follicle clearly changed seasonally. The number of eggs within the oviduct were greater on the right side ($2.6{\pm}1.0$ eggs, n=16) than on the left side ($1.8{\pm}0.5$ eggs, n=16) (t=-2,721, p<0.05). Average (${\pm}SD$) of survival litter size (SLS) was $4.4{\pm}1.7$ (1~9, range), while total litter size (TLS) was $4.7{\pm}1.5$ (3~9, range), which were not statistically significant. However, their litter sizes were similar to the number of eggs within the oviduct (t=0.039, P>0.05). Relative litter mass (RCM) was $0.42{\pm}0.13$ (0.18~0.79, n=33), and tended to increase, as maternal condition of pre-parturition (MCPPI) was getting better. The sexual ratio of delivered litters showed no significant difference between male and female red-tongue viper snakes (♂:♀ = 1.15:1, n=73 ; ${\chi}^2$=0.342, P>0.5). Average neonate mass showed a weak correlation with maternal mass of pre-parturition (MMPP1) (r=0.387, P<0.05, n=33). Average neonate Snout-vent length (SVL) also demonstrated a weak correlations with maternal SVL (r=0.399, P<0.05, n=33) and MMPP1 (r=0.344, P<0.05, n=33). Average neonate mass and maternal SVL approached significant probability (r=0.323, P=0.067, n=33). This indicates that mother snakes can bear bigger litter due to its larger size. In some cases, litter's weight decreases as mother snakes are bearing more litter; however, the red-tongued viper snake did not show such exchange relationship. From this, it can be conjectured that a red-tongued viper snake has peculiarity of its own species. The research results are predicted to be used as the basis to find a life history of red-tongued viper snake.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.477-486
• /
• 2016

We investigated the growth pattern of Red-tongued viper snakes (Gloydius ussuriensis), which were captured from the islet of the Jeju Island, Gapado between April, 2006 and November, 2009. The results indicated that there were some snakes that grew relatively fast, but most snakes either almost did not grow or grew around 10mm in snout-vent length during one year period. High growth rates was April and June. Since the growth rate of snakes is highly correlated with their foods, these results implied that the feeding activity of Red-tongued viper snakes is high during this period compared to other months. In female, difference in body condition between good-conditioned and bad-conditioned snakes became large as time elapsed from April to June. The body condition of the male Red-tongued viper snakes improved with the progression of time from April till June. Many of the Red-tongued viper snakes were captured between April and June, while they were rarely captured between July and September. Some of the Red-tongued viper snakes were captured during the autumn season. This tendency was because snakes were rarely active during hibernation and peak summer seasons. Thus, Red-tongued viper snakes are active between April and June and between September and November. They then go into hibernation as the temperature dropped in November. Furthermore, the limitation of the movement period of the Red-tongued viper snakes restricted their feeding activities while foods became scarce, which ultimately restricted their overall growth rate. The growth rate of the snakes decreased with age. The snout-vent length of the Red-tongued viper snakes and growth rate showed a negative correlation (r = -0.591), however, it was not statistically significant due to small sample size. The findings from this study could provide meaningful information in the further study of the life cycle of Red-tongued viper snakes.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.276-296
• /
• 1990

This study attempts to investigate several enteroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal epithelia of the Korean snakes (Dinodon rufozonatum rufozonotum Rhabdophis tigrina tigrina, Enhydris rufodorsata, Agkistrodon blomhoffii brevicaudus, Agkistrodon saxatilis, Agkistodon calginosus). For a light-microscopical examination of immunocytochemistry, the paraffin sections (5 $\mu$ m) of tissue specimens taken from the various parts of the gastrointestinal tract were stained immunocytochemically by PAP procedure with 10 antisera. The frequency of enteroendocrine cells per unit area (mm$^2$) of each mucosa were counted and the shapes of the cells were observed. In Dinodon rufozonatum rufozonatum, Rhobdophis tigrina tigrina, Enhydris rufodorsata, Agkistrodon saxatilis and Agkistrodon caliginosus, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and serotonin cells were observed. But the freuqency of these immunoreactive cells differ trom each portion of gastrointestinal tracts of all species, respectively. In Agkistrodon blomhoffii brevicaudus, CCK-8, gastrin and serotonin cells were observed. CCK-8 and serotonin cells were found in whole gastrointestinal tracts and gastrin cells were observed in pylorus and mucosa of small intestine. The frequency of these cells was different from each portion. The shapes of CCK-8, gastrin, PP and serotonin cells were pyramidal or oval and closed type in stomach. A large number of these cells were spindle in shape and open type in small intestine and anterior pant of large intestine, whereas some cells were closed type. In posterior part of large intestine and rectum, these cells were oval in shape and closed type.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.657-663
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in feeding habits of Red-Tongued Viper Snakes, according to available foods sources and areas. The effects of differences in food sources were found on Red-Tongued Viper Snake inhabited in the Jeju Island and its islet Gapado, from May 2006 to Nov. 2010. The food sources for the Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Jeju Island were found to be as follows: Chinese red-headed centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), Jeju Salamanders (Hynobius quelpaertensis), Japanese tree Frogs (Hyla japonica), Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis), Dybowski's Brown Frogs (Rana dybowskii), Black-spotted Pond Frogs (Rana nigromaculata), Smooth Skinks (Scincella vandenburghi), Asian Keelback Snakes (Amphiesma vibakari), Lesser White-toothed Shrews (Crosidura shantungensis), Hallasan Shrews (Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus), and Jeju Striped Field Mice (Apodemus chejuensis). This implies that Red-Tongued Viper Snakes mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Among these, amphibians occupied the highest portion at 55.2% followed by mammals at 20.7%, centipedes at 13.8%, and reptiles at 10.3%. On the contrary, Red-tongued viper snake population in Gapado only feed on Chinese red-headed centipedes and Smooth Skinks (S. vandenburghi). Since only a small amount of nutrient can be obtained from Chinese red-headed centipeds or Smooth Skinks, this feeding habit for Red-tongued viper snake would adversely effect on the growth or regeneration. The reason why Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Gapado mainly feed on Lizard and Centipedes in spite of relatively various available food sources, might be due to the low density of other food sources in the Gapado. Red-Tongued viper snake could be feeding on foods that are low in quality but are easily accessible, to minimize energy consumption on searching for other more nutritious foods. A snake tends to select the size of its food depending on the size of its own head. The positive correlation was found between the size of the heads of Red-Tongued viper snakes from the Jeju island and the diameter of their foods. The head size was larger in the males than females in viper snake population from the Jeju Island, which might effect on their selection of foods. However, no significant difference was found between the sizes of the head and the food in the Red-Tongued viper snake population from the Gapado. The findings of this study would provide meaningful data, which directly shows that even within the same viper species they choose different available food sources according to their inhabitance. This leads to their growth and adaptation to their environment which is beneficial for sustaining of its population.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.58-77
• /
• 1998

Four species(25%) of Viperidae(Agkistrodon brevicaudus, Agkistrodon ussuriensis, Agkistrodon saxatilis) and Cloubridae(Rhabdophis tigrenus tigrenus) were Korean poisonous snake. Copulation season of these species was from July to August. Reproduction mode of genus Agkistrodon species was ovoviviparous but Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus was the other pattern of oviparous. Optimal movement temperature range was from 20$\circ $C to 29$\circ $C(March~September). Wjen atmosphere temperature was below 10$\circ $C, at that time they hibernate at the ground, rock bottom, stone wall and embankment around the end of a field. The venom of these snakes consist mainly Hematoxin, Cytolysin, Neurotoxin and Cardiotoxin of poisonous liquids. These material injection to animal cause systemic syndrome such as Dizziness(25.7%), Vomitting(23.1%), Fever(22%), Visual trouble(18%), Headace(17.7%), Dyspnoea(17.6%) and bring about other local syndrome such as Discoloration(54.2%), Bleeding(20.2%), Bullae(10.7%) and Skin ulcer(!0.8%). The annual distribution was appeared to decrease 1972 after 1992 and average snakebiting patients was 25.6 per year, but practically total estimated snakebiting was 2,700 per year. The seasonal distribution was most frequent in August(25%), and mortality was 1.8%(26 per 1,430). The sex ratio was 2:1 and according to age distribution, it was most prevalent at one's fifties(19%). The most frequent place where the accident happened was the field(48.2%) and most predilection site of the body for victim were hand(47.8%) and foot(39.5%), Commonly bite snake were Agkistrodon ussuriensis(27.1%), Agkistrodon brevicaudus(22.6%) and Agkistrodon saxatilis(9.6%) but 40.7% of species could not be identified. Treatment of antivenin patient was 75.9% (1,068/1,407).