Identifying the geographic distribution pattern of venomous snakes and regions of high snakebite risk in Iran.

We describe species richness patterns of venomous snakes in Iran in order to produce snakebite risk prediction maps and identify gaps in regional health care centers capable of managing snakebites. We digitized distribution maps from the literature, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and the results of our own field studies of 24 terrestrial venomous snake species (including 4 endemic to Iran). Species richness patterns were associated with eight environmental factors. The variables have been extracted from the WorldClim dataset (bio12 = annual precipitation, bio15 = precipitation seasonality, bio17 = precipitation of the driest quarter, bio2 = mean diurnal range, bio3 = isothermality (bio2/bio7), bio4 = temperature seasonality, bio9 = mean temperature of the driest quarter and slope). Based on spatial analyses, species richness in Iran is highly affected by three environmental variables (bio12, 15, and 17) associated with precipitation. The relationship patterns among these predictors and species richness were strong and linear. The hotspot regions for venomous snakes species are concentrated on the western to southwestern and north to northeastern regions of Iran, which is partially consistent with the known Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. Because of the high number of endemic species and climatic conditions on the Iranian Plateau, the venoms of snakes distributed in those areas may contain novel properties and components.

Local envenoming by the coinsnake or Asian racer, Hemorrhois nummifer and mountain racer or leopard snake, Hemorrhois ravergieri (Serpentes: Colubridae, Colubrinae) in Iran: A reminder of the importance of species identification in the medical management of snakebites.

In Iran, there are approximately 4500-6500 snakebites per year, but fortunately only 3-9 of these are fatal. However, in some population centers such as Kashan city (Isfahan Province, central Iran), approximately 80% of snakebites are attributed to "non-venomous" snakes that are often comprised of several species of non-front-fanged snakes (NFFS). NFFS comprise a diverse group that constitute approximately 2900 species belonging to an estimated 15 families. We report here two cases of local envenoming from H. ravergieri, and one from H. nummifer that occurred in Iran. The clinical effects consisted of local erythema, mild pain, transient bleeding and edema. Two victims experienced progressive local edema that distressed the victims. The medical team's unfamiliarity with snakebites contributed to the incorrect clinical management of one victim including the contraindicated, ineffective provision of antivenom. These cases provide further documentation about local envenoming caused by these species, and also emphasize the need for regional medical personnel to receive increased training in order to improve familiarity with the local snake fauna and evidence-based snakebite management.