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The former Vipera darevskii from NE Turkey are now Vipera olguni sp. n.

S. B. Tuniyev, S.B., A. Avci, B. S. Tuniyev, A. L. Agasian & L. A. Agasian (2012): DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF SHIELD-HEAD VIPERS — Pelias olguni sp. nov. FROM BASIN OF UPPER FLOW OF THE KURA RIVER IN TURKEY -- Russian Journal of Herpetology 19(4): 314 – 332

PDF-4839 in DB.

Abstract:
Localities of the records of Pelias darevskii indicated in the literature and known from the personal communications were inspected. The comparison of morphology and ecology of animals from northeastern Turkey and from the type locality of Pelias darevskii in Armenia made it possible to make conclusion about the specific independence of the vipers living in Turkey. It is given the description of the new species of shield-head vipers from basin of upper flow of the Kura River. The possible ways of speciation of the relict representatives of “kaznakovi” complex in the southwestern part of Caucasian Ecoregion are discussed.

Unfortunately the subgenus Pelias is raised to genus rank

Mario

Unfortunately the subgenus Pelias is raised to genus rank

Since in the paper they don't mention that issue at all, they obviously take it for granted.
On what grounds?

Berislav Horvatic wrote:

Unfortunately the subgenus Pelias is raised to genus rank

Since in the paper they don't mention that issue at all, they obviously take it for granted.
On what grounds?

No grounds, they just did it, although this has done before by some other authors too, but never has been accepted!
For me the splitting of Vipera darevskii in 3 species (darevskii, olguni and sp.) is very very vague.
It remembers me on Nilson & Andren's splittings of the mountain vipers (Montivipera xanthina complex)

Mario

Michael Glass wrote:Perpetuum publico. The endless circle of split and merge, rise and fall. Clever to not even discuss, but take it as given.