First report of envenomation symptoms caused by the Eastern Montpellier snake, Malpolon insignitus (St.-Hilaire, 1827)

Snakebite is a global health problem with disastrous consequences. Accordingly, venoms plus their function and clinical aspects were intensively studied for several snakes, primarily with proteroglyphous and solenoglyphous dentition. Much less is known about the venoms from most opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snakes and it is often questionable which symptoms they may cause. Here, we provide the first description of the envenomation symptoms caused by a bite of the Eastern Montpellier snake Malpolon insignitus from Croatia. The clinical manifestations elicited by the bite were only local, and included bleeding, pulsatility and paresthesia, followed by sweating and signs of inflammation. The observed features subsided quickly, and the patient recovered fully with no long-term illness. Therefore, we conclude that M. insignitus does not represent a substantial (i.e. life threatening or morbidity-causing) threat. However, as related species in the Malpolon genus are known to be capable to deliver neurotoxic envenoming, we recommend to nevertheless carefully interact with M. insignitus and recommend that future studies should unveil its venom composition.