Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle © 31 août «Grigore Antipa» Vol. LVI (1) pp. 81–92 2013 DOI: 10.2478/travmu-2013-0006

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF THE HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ) ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME

Abstract. The results of herpetological investigations in the Ţarcu massif (Southern Carpathians, Romania) and its surrounding areas are reported here. 21 amphibian and reptile forms were identified (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, B. viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana temporaria, R. dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, P. kl. esculentus, Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis colchica, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Vipera ammodytes) and are presented together with distribution and ecological data.

Résumé. On présente les résultats des études herpétologiques dans le massif de Ţarcu (Carpathes méridionaux, Roumanie). Les 21 espèces, identifiées sur le terrain (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana temporaria, R. dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis colchica, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes), sont présentées avec les données concernant leur distribution et leur biotope.

Key words: Amphibia, Reptilia; ecology, altitude, habitat, thermophilic, montane, Ţarcu mountains, Romania.

INTRODUCTION The Ţarcu Mountains form the western part of the larger Retezat-Godeanu- Ţarcu massif, which is itself the westernmost part of the Southern Carpathians of Romania. They reach their highest points in the Vârfu Pietrii (2192 m a.s.l.) and Ţarcu (2190 m a.s.l.) peaks, thus being lower than the neighboring Retezat Mountains (Ghinea, 2002). They are delimited from the Retezat and Godeanu mountains by the intramontane valleys of the rivers Râu Mare, Râu Şes and Râu Rece, and from the Carpathians by the wider valleys of the rivers Bistra and Timiş (Fig. 1). Several rivers indent the massif with intramontane valleys, of which the most important are the rivers Bistra Mărului (dammed to form the Poiana Mărului reservoir) and Sebeş. The present-day vegetation (after Mâciu et al., 1982, and satellite imagery data) is dominated by sessile oak (Quercus dalechampii), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest on the lower mountain reaches, grading in altitude to pure beech forest, then to mixed beech, fir Abies( alba) and spruce (Picea abies) forests, then to pure spruce stands, above which there appear alpine grasslands with myrtle cushions and local areas of alpine fens. Alder (Alnus incana) and poplar thickets are present along the river valleys. The human impact consists of logging and some touristic development, especially in the Muntele Mic area. In contrast with the close Retezat Mountains, which were intensely studied from a herpetological point of view (Ghira, 1989; Stugren & Ghira, 1993; Cogălniceanu et al., 2001; Cogălniceanu et al., 2006), or the likewise well studied Poiana Ruscăi, Semenic and Southern Banat Carpathians and hills (Iftime, 2001, 2003, 2005; Covaciu-Marcov et al., 2005; Bogdan et al., 2011), the Ţarcu Mountains 82 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME

Fig. 1 - Altitudinal map of the Ţarcu Mountains (southern Carpathians, Romania); studied transects and stations in red. have few published herpetological records. “Older” amphibian records are summed up by Cogălniceanu et al. (2000) and pertain to four species: Bombina variegata (Linnaeus, 1758), Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, Rana dalmatina Bonaparte, 1840 and Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758. Fuhn & Vancea (1961) give a few records of reptile species at the edges of the Ţarcu massif: Natrix natrix in Clopotiva and Vipera ammodytes in Caransebeş, Bistra valley and Sarmizegetusa. Bogdan et al. (2011) have data only from localities situated on the Bistra valley that forms the limit between the Poiana Ruscăi and the Ţarcu massif but they are from north of Bistra (from the Poiana Ruscăi slopes, not the Ţarcu massif). The most recent and comprehensive account is that of Bogdan (2012), including Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Hyla arborea, Rana temporaria, R. dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis colchica, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata. Our study adds to the knowledge on the distribution and ecology of the herpetofauna of this mountain range.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Field observations were performed in the region in August 2009, April and June 2012; searches were conducted using the active transect method (active search of specimens along a 4 m wide randomly chosen transect; see Cogălniceanu, 1997). Abundance classes were established by us as follows: 0 (not found); 1 (<1 ex/ 500 m stretch of transect); 2 (1-10 ex/ same length); 3 (10-30 ex/ same length); 4: > 30/ same HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA) 83 length).Transects varied in length, due to limitations pertaining to the accessibility of terrain, human habitations etc., from ca. 200 m (shorter transects defined here by a single GPS point) to up to 20 kms (longer transects defined by lowest and highest point). Abundance classes were obtained by dividing the number of specimens recorded to the number of searched 500 m units. A transect shorter than 500 m was considered to be included in the 500 m unit. Transect coordinates were taken with a Garmin portable GPS device. The transects are listed with coordinates and local names in table 1 and plotted on a map in fig. 1. Photos of unconstrained animals were taken whenever possible.

Table 1 Summary table on the local names and coordinates of the transects. Transect number Local name Coordinates and altitude

1 Râul Mare valley from N 45°44.323ʼ, E 22°48.570ʼ, 580 m a.s.l., to N 45°31.709ʼ, E 22°67.234ʼ, 1160 m a.s.l.

2 Râuşor valley from N 45°29.138ʼ, E 22°46.937ʼ, 704 m a.s.l., to N 45°26.978ʼ, E 22°44.092ʼ, 1375 m a.s.l.

Sarmizegetusa 3 village at N 45°51.267ʼ, E 22°78.124ʼ, 520 m a.s.l.

4 Poarta de Fier at N 45°30.359ʼ, E 22°42.548ʼ, 512 m a.s.l.

5 Bucova valley from N 45°27.882ʼ, E 22°40.451ʼ, 830 m a.s.l., to N 45°25.581ʼ, E 22°39.603ʼ, 1083 m a.s.l.

6 Marga valley from N 45°31.466ʼ, E 22°30.416ʼ, 397 m a.sl., to N 45°28.583ʼ, E 22°33.319ʼ, 628 m a.s.l.

Bistra Mărului – 7 Peceneaga valley from N 45°27.668ʼ, E 22°26.761ʼ, 447 m a.s.l., to N 45°22.677ʼ, E 22°34.955ʼ, 847 m a.s.l.

8. Şucul valley from N 45°23.486ʼ, E 22°32.496ʼ, 685 m a.s.l., to N 45°20.450ʼ, E 22°29.448ʼ, 1130 m a.s.l.

9 Bistra valley from N 45°29.266ʼ, E 22°17.895ʼ, 231 m a.s.l., to N 45°31.721ʼ, E 22°26.091ʼ, 328 m a.s.l.

Sebeş valley – 10 Muntele Mic from N 45°21.513ʼ, E 22°22.021ʼ, 435 m a.s.l., to N 45°21.450ʼ, E 22°29.020ʼ, 1478 m a.s.l. Bolvaşniţa – 11 Valea Mare valley from N 45°20.712ʼ, E 22°19.195ʼ, 324 m a.s.l., to N 45°18.941ʼ, E 22°21.581ʼ, 435 m a.s.l.

12 Slatina Timiş at N 45°16.784ʼ, E 22°17.571ʼ, 298 m a.s.l.

13 Ilova at N 45°16.501ʼ, E 22°20.924ʼ, 483 m a.s.l.

14 Sat Bătrân at N 45°14.366ʼ, E 22°21.513ʼ, 449 m a.s.l.

15 Armeniş from N 45°12.826ʼ, E 22°19.033ʼ, 349 m a.s.l., to N 45°13.109ʼ, E 22°19.728ʼ, 369 m a.s.l.

16 Feneş valley from N 45°11.468ʼ, E 22°21.368ʼ, 411 m a.s.l., to N 45°14.063ʼ, E 22°24.583ʼ, 533 m a.s.l.

17 Pârâul Alb valley from N 45°11.724ʼ, E 22°22.766ʼ, 481 m a.s.l., to N 45°11.805ʼ, E 22°22.931ʼ, 495 m a.s.l.

18 Teregova at N 45°10.241ʼ, E 22°18.263ʼ, 371 m a.s.l.

19 Pârâu Rece valley from N 45°08.163ʼ, E 22°22.019ʼ, 469 m a.s.l., to N 45°09.692ʼ, E 22°26.696ʼ, 626 m a.s.l.

20 Bela Reca valley from N 45°00.730ʼ, E 22°22.263ʼ, 338 m a.s.l., to N 45°05.369ʼ, E 22°25.004ʼ, 630 m a.s.l.

21 Caransebeş at N 45°26.467ʼ, E 22°13.538ʼ, 203 m a.s.l. 84 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME

RESULTS We have recorded 12 amphibian and 9 reptile species (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, B. viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana temporaria, R. dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, P. kl. esculentus, Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis colchica1, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Vipera ammodytes). The distribution of species in different transects and the associated habitats are given below: Transect 1. Beech forests, beech-coniferous forests and coniferous forests: Salamandra salamandra – along all transect; L. vulgaris (specimens clearly showing traits of ssp. ampelensis) in the lower part (ca. 600 m a.s.l.), rare; I. alpestris – above 700 m a.s.l.; B. variegata, B. bufo – all along transect; B. viridis – one dead specimen at ca. 900 m a.s.l.; R. temporaria, P. muralis – all along transect; Z. vivipara – upper parts (above ca. 800 m a.s.l.); A. colchica - one dead specimen at ca. 900 m a.s.l.; N. natrix – along the lower part of the transect. Transect 2. Beech forests, beech-coniferous forests and coniferous forests: B. variegata (lower parts), R. temporaria (upper parts – above 1000 m a.s.l.), L. viridis, P. muralis (lower parts). Transect 3. Village pond among orchards: B. variegata, P. ridibundus. Transect 4. Marshy natural pond at edge of beech forest: T. cristatus, L. vulgaris, B. variegata, Hyla arborea, R. dalmatina, R. temporaria, R. kl. esculenta. Transect 5. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: L. vulgaris (specimens clearly showing traits of the nominate subspecies; lower reaches), B. variegata (all along), B. bufo (lower reaches), R. temporaria (all along), Z. vivipara (upper part). Transect 6. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: B. variegata (all along), P. ridibundus (upper part only!), N. tessellata (lower reaches). Transect 7. Mixed deciduous and beech forest, upstream beech-coniferous forests and coniferous forests: S. salamandra (above 650 m a.s.l.), L. vulgaris (specimens showing mainly traits of the nominate subspecies, few traits reminding ampelensis) and T. cristatus up to 650 m a.s.l., I. alpestris – upper reaches, B. variegata all along the transect, Bufo bufo above 600 m a.s.l., Hyla arborea - lower reaches, one point; R. temporaria – from 690 m a.s.l. upwards; L. agilis – lower reaches; P. muralis – all along transect; Z. vivipara – upper reaches; N. natrix – median altitudes. Transect 8. Beech-coniferous forests and coniferous forests: S. salamandra, I. alpestris, B. variegata, B. bufo, R. temporaria, P. muralis, Z. vivipara – all evenly distributed along transect. Transect 9. Ponds and ditches in village areas (orchards, agriculture): B. bufo (and/or B. viridis), R. dalmatina, P. ridibundus – all evenly distributed along transect. Transect 10. Mixed deciduous and beech forest, further up beech-coniferous forests and coniferous forests, uppermost areas with alpine myrtle cushions, grasslands and fens: S. salamandra (all forested areas), I. alpestris (at 885 m a.s.l and

1 Gvoždik et al. (2010) revised European Anguis; according to his data, raising the subspecies occurring in Romania, A. f. colchica, to species rank. The genetic and morphological grounds for this split are accepted by Speybroeck et al. (2010) but at least the morphological grounds are put in doubt by studies such as Sos (2010). We can, however, provisorily accept A. colchica as the specific name of Romanian slow-worms. HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA) 85 above 1000 m), B. variegata, B. bufo, R. temporaria (all along transect), P. muralis (except uppermost reaches), Z. vivipara (alpine areas), A. colchica (upper forested areas), Z. longissimus, N. tessellata (lowermost reaches). Transect 11. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: S. salamandra, T. cristatus, B. variegata, B. bufo, R. dalmatina, P. ridibundus, P. muralis, N. natrix – all evenly distributed along transect, except T. cristatus and N. natrix with one location each. Transect 12. Ponds and ditches in village areas (orchards, agriculture): R. ridibunda. Transect 13. Ponds and ditches in village areas (orchards, agriculture): S. salamandra, L. vulgaris, B. variegata, B. bufo, P. ridibundus, L. viridis, P. muralis, N. natrix. Transect 14. Ponds and ditches in village areas (orchards, agriculture): S. salamandra, B. variegata, L. agilis, N. natrix. Transect 15. Ponds and ditches in village areas (orchards, agriculture): B. variegata, B. bufo, H. arborea, P. ridibundus, P. muralis. Transect 16. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: S. salamandra – one point at 457 m a.s.l.; B. variegata, B. bufo, R. temporaria – all along transect; P. ridibundus (and possibly P. kl. esculentus also) at one location; L. viridis at one location in the lower valley; P. muralis all along transect; Z. longissimus, N. natrix and V. ammodytes – one location each, all in the median part of the valley (450-500 m a.s.l.). Transect 17. Beech forest: S. salamandra, B. variegata, B. bufo, R. temporaria. Transect 18. One man-made large pond in village area (orchards, agriculture): P. ridibundus, N. natrix. Transect 19. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: S. salamandra, B. variegata, B. bufo, R. temporaria, P. ridibundus, L. agilis, P. muralis, Z. longissimus, N. natrix – all evenly distributed along transect except for S. salamandra and R. temporaria which are only found in the upper part of the valley, and Z. longissimus which was only found in the lower valley. Transect 20. Mixed deciduous and beech forest: B. variegata, B. bufo, P. ridibundus, L. viridis, Z. longissimus – L. viridis and P. ridibundus in one point, an open habitat; Z. longissimus at one point; B. variegata and B. bufo in two points. Transect 21. Peri-urban ruderal site with marsh: H. arborea, P. ridibundus. The occurrence of amphibian and reptile species in different habitat types and of reproducing amphibians in different waterbody types is summarized in tables 2 and 3, respectively. The abundance of amphibian and reptile species (per defined abundance classe) in transects is summarized in table 4.

DISCUSSION The list of amphibians and reptiles known for this area was not expanded in number of species – except for the hybridogenetic Pelophylax kl. esculentus, which was, however, found outside the area studied by Bogdan (2012), but the number of localities was greatly increased and the distributuion data was supplemented by ecological data, i.e. the occurrence in diverse habitat types. The presence of all previously found species was confirmed, including Bufo viridis and Vipera ammodytes, which were not found by Bogdan (2012). We also discuss the characteristics and subspecific affiliations of Lissotriton vulgaris. The herpetofauna of the Ţarcu massif has characteristics pertaining to both the “thermophilic” and the “montane” herpetofaunistic associations known 86 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME

Table 2 Summary table on the occurrence of amphibian and reptile species in different habitat types in the Ţarcu Massif, Southern Carpathians (Romania). Alder Beech and Beech- Species thicket and mixed broadleaf Beech spruce Spruce Subalpine Alpine Alpine marsh forest forest forest forest thickets grassland fen Salamandra salamandra + + + Triturus cristatus + + Ichthyosaura alpestris + + + + Lissotriton vulgaris + + + Bombina variegata + + + + + + Bufo bufo + + + + + + Bufo viridis + + Hyla arborea + + Rana temporaria + + + + + Rana dalmatina + Pelophylax ridibundus + + + Pelophylax kl. esculentus + Lacerta viridis + Lacerta agilis + + + Zootoca vivipara + + + + + + Podarcis muralis + + + Anguis colchica + + Zamenis longissimus + Natrix natrix + + + + Natrix tessellata + Vipera ammodytes +

Table 3 Summary table on the occurrence of reproducing amphibians in different waterbody types in the Ţarcu Massif, Southern Carpathians (Romania). Small, Large, Species Slow-flowing temporary permanent Alpine fens Man-made brooks ponds ponds ditches Salamandra salamandra + + Triturus cristatus + + Ichthyosaura alpestris + + + + Lissotriton vulgaris + + + Bombina variegata + + + + + Bufo bufo + + + + Bufo viridis ? Hyla arborea + Rana temporaria + + + + + Rana dalmatina + + Pelophylax ridibundus + + + + Pelophylax kl. esculentus + for Romania. The “thermophilic” or sub-Mediterranean elements are represented by species such as Podarcis muralis (abundant), Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes. V. ammodytes is a typical sub-Mediterranean species which is absent to the north, in the Poiana Ruscăi mountains proper (Bogdan et al., 2011), albeit it was found on the fringes of that massif (Fuhn & Vancea, 1961). Another such HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA) 87 3 1 T21 Table 4 1 1 2 2 T20 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 T19 2 3 T18 2 2 2 2 T17 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2? T16 2 2 2 1 2 T15 2 2 2 2 T14 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 T13 3 T12 1 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 T11 1 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 T10 1 1 1 T9 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 T8 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 T7 2 2 2 T6 1 2 2 2 1 T5 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 T4 3 2 T3 2 2 2 2 T2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 T 1 kl. esculentus Summary table on the abundance amphibian of and reptile species in transects in the Ţarcu Massif, Southern Carpathians (Romania). Natrix tessellata ammodytes Vipera Anguis colchica Zamenis longissimus Natrix natrix Podarcis muralis Podarcis Pelophylax Rana dalmatina Lacerta agilis Lacerta viridis Zootoca vivipara Pelophylax ridibundus Bufo viridis Hyla arborea Rana temporaria Bufo bufo Bombina variegata Triturus cristatus Triturus Lissotriton vulgaris Ichthyosaura alpestris Salamandra salamandra Species 88 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME “thermophilic” element, Darevskia praticola, found in Poiana Ruscăi (Fuhn & Vancea, 1961; Bogdan et al., 2011) and to the south and west (Fuhn & Vancea, 1961; Iftime, 2003, 2005) was not found here. Typical “montane” elements are Ichthyosaura alpestris and Zootoca vivipara (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 - Zootoca vivipara, transect 7 (Photo: O. Iftime).

The distribution of Lissotriton vulgaris is also interesting. To the north-east, in Retezat and Haţeg, the subspecies L. v. ampelensis is found, to the north and south the nominate subspecies is assumed to be present and to the west, in the Nera river basin, specimens with intermediate characteristics are found (Iftime & Iftime, 2008). In Ţarcu specimens from Râul Mare, bordering the Retezat Mountains and Haţeg area, are typical L. v. ampelensis, while further west and south there are either specimens with typical L. v. vulgaris traits or (as in the case of Bistra Mărului populations) individuals with intermediate characteristics, reminding of the populations identified in the Nera basin (with “golden” coloration, dorsal crest starting behind the occiput and similar tail-tip shape – fig. 3; see also Iftime & Iftime, 2008 for character discussion and comparison). Thus, the Ţarcu massif may be considered as both the limit of “typical” L. v. ampelensis, and an intergradation zone where the characteristics of the nominate subspecies and of ampelensis appear in mosaic, probably following the genetic combinations driven by the metapopulation dynamic and genetic drift (see fig. 4 for the distribution of L. vulgaris: yellow: L. v. ampelensis; blue: L. v. vulgaris; green: intermediate traits). HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA) 89

Fig. 3 - Lissotriton vulgaris, adult male, transect 7, showing tail tip shape, golden coloration and crest starting behind occiput (Photo: O. Iftime).

Fig. 4 - The distribution of L. vulgaris in the study area: yellow: L. v. ampelensis; blue: L. v. vulgaris; green: intermediate traits. Scale, north-south orientation, altitude shading and locations as in fig. 1. 90 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME As for the snake species, our data significantly complements that of Bogdan (2012), by adding four locations of Zamenis longissimus to the one mentioned by the author and reconfirmingVipera ammodytes. The most widespread and common snake species is Natrix natrix, as it generally happens across the country; N. tessellata is localized along some water bodies, Zamenis longissimus in warmer and well-vegetated areas, and the rarest species is Vipera ammodytes, possibly as a result of persecution by locals (we have found a juvenile which was clearly killed by humans, fig. 5). See also fig. 6 for the distribution of thermophilic and montane elements. Older data (Fuhn & Vancea, 1961) gives more localities for V. ammodytes, but we were unable to find the species in those areas - for one, the urban area of Caransebeş, the population referred to by Fuhn & Vancea (1961) is most likely now extinct, given the state of the habitat and for the others it is more difficult to say, but their prospects do not appear promising. Generally, places visited both in 2009 and 2012 showed no obvious decline in amphibian or reptile populations. Besides direct killing of snakes, roadkill is visibly taking a toll upon amphibian and reptile populations, but most of all on Bufo, Rana, Anguis and snake species.

Fig. 5 - Juvenile Vipera ammodytes killed by locals, transect 16 (Photo: A. Iftime).

Thus, the Ţarcu massif is an interesting area with a rich herpetofauna (we consider that the list may be further expanded with more research) and the currently fair situation of amphibian and reptile populations presents a good opportunity for conservation. HERPETOFAUNA OF ŢARCU MASSIF (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA) 91

Fig. 6 - The distribution of thermophilic elements (V. ammodytes in yellow, Z. longissimus in red) and montane elements (I. alpestris in blue, Z. vivipara in green). Scale, north-south orientation, altitude shading and locations as in fig. 1.

CONTRIBUŢII LA CUNOAŞTEREA PRIVIND DISTRIBUȚIA ȘI ECOLOGIA HERPETOFAUNEI MASIVULUI ŢARCU (CARPAȚII MERIDIONALI, ROMÂNIA) REZUMAT Sunt expuse rezultatele unor investigaţii herpetologice pe teritoriul masivului Ţarcu (jud. Caraş-Severin şi Hunedoara, România); cele 21 specii identificate în teren Salamandra( salamandra, Triturus cristatus, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, B. viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana temporaria, R. dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, P. kl. esculentus, Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis colchica, Zamenis longissimus, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Vipera ammodytes) sunt prezentate împreună cu date legate de distribuţia lor şi de biotopul în care au fost găsite.

LITERATURE CITED Bogdan, H. V., 2012 - Herpetofauna bazinelor hidrografice ale râurilor Timiş şi Bega. Teză de doctorat, Universitatea Oradea. (in Romanian) Bogdan, H. V., d. Ilies, s. D. Covaciu-Marcov, a. ș. Cicort-Lucaciu, i. Sas, 2011 - Contributions to the study of the herpetofauna of the western region of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains and its surrounding areas. NWJZ, 7 (1): 125-131. Cogălniceanu, D., 1997 - Practicum de ecologie a amfibienilor: Metode şi tehnici în studiul ecologiei amfibienilor. Edit. Universităţii din Bucureşti, 122 pp. (in Romanian) Cogălniceanu, D., F. Aioanei, B. Matei, 2000 - Amfibienii din România. Determinator. Edit. Ars Docendi, Bucureşti. (in Romanian) Cogălniceanu, D., I. Ghira, A. Ardeleanu, 2001 - Spatial distribution of herpetofauna in the Retezat Mountains National Park (Romania). Biota, 2 (1): 9-16. 92 ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME

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Received: April 30, 2013 “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History Accepted: July 3, 2013 Şos. Kiseleff 1, 011341 Bucharest 2, Romania e mail: [email protected]