Milos viper

The Milos viper project focuses on the endangered Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri), a species endemic to the western Cyclades islands of Greece. Confined to a small number of fragmented populations on Milos and surrounding islands, the species faces increasing threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, and the impacts of climate change, particularly rising temperatures and prolonged droughts. The project combines ecological monitoring with genomic research to assess population viability and adaptive potential. Through field surveys, habitat characterization, and transcriptomic and genomic analyses, it aims to evaluate genetic diversity, population structure, and stress-related physiological responses. Special attention is given to understanding how extreme environmental conditions influence the species' biology and survival. The results will guide targeted conservation actions, including habitat management, awareness campaigns, and potential future interventions such as genetic rescue or translocation, while also contributing to the broader conservation framework for Mediterranean island endemics under climate pressure.