An Updated Overview of the Distribution of the Moldavian Steppe Viper ( Vipera ursinii moldavica Nilson, Andrén et Joger, 1993)

We give an overview of the current distribution of Vipera ursinii moldavica . Until 2000 just one small population was known to survive in the «Valea lui David» Natural Reserve, Iasi District, Romania. We surveyed the habitats in the Iasi District, in May and September 2000 and March 2001, where this snake was formerly reported: Tomesti and the surroundings of Românesti, Avântul, and Ursoaia. In the surroundings of Românesti, Avântul and Ursoaia we found the viper in two sites, Ciritei and Holm, in the proximity of a small hill informally called «Dealul lui Dumnezeu», where Vancea et al. had recorded the subspecies in 1985. V. u. moldavica has probably disappeared from Tomesti (Iasi District), Tecuci (Galaţi District), Horlaceni and Calarasi (Botosani District). The results of a short survey, from 1997, in the «Valea lui David» Natural Reserve are also presented. Based on a field survey (1998) in the Republic of Moldova, the survival of V. u. moldavica cannot be confirmed there. In this paper we describe the newly discovered habitats, and provide morphometric data for the captured specimens. An updated distribution map of the subspecies is provided.