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Dibulla, department of La Guajira, northern KEy WORDS: Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae, Colombia (11°15’25.3”N / 73°24’30.4”W). Pseudis paradoxa ; Guajira, Colombia, distribution, A voucher was deposited at the Herpeto- new record logical Collection of the Universidad del SUBMiTTED: April 24, 2014 Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia (CBU - AUTHORS: L. A. RUEDA -S OLANO (Corre - sponding author < [email protected] > 1) , MAG-A 309). This is the first record of this Alex GONZALES 2) , F. vARGAS -S ALiNAS 3) species for the department of La Guajira, 1) Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del and the northernmost record for Colombia Magdalena Carrera 32 No 22 - 08 PO 2-1-21630, Santa and the species within its entire distribution Marta D.T.C.H, Colombia. range. The nearest localities where P. para - 2) Programa de Biología, Universidad de la doxa was proved to occur lie in the depart - Guajira, kilometro 3 via maicao - Riohacha, Colombia. 3) Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias ments of Atlántico ( CUENTAS et al . 2002; Básicas y Tecnologías, Universidad del Quindío, Calle ROMERO & L yNCH 2012 ) and Cesar 12 N Carrera 15, Tercer piso, Edificio Ciencias Básicas (ACOSTA 2000). The present records extend y Tecnologías, Armenia, Quindío, Colombia. the known distribution of P. paradoxa more than 150 km to the north. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Collecting permits were issued for the project “Anurofauna en el departa - The herpetofauna of , mento de La Guajira”, which was sponsored by Cor- poración Autónoma Regional de La Guajira. Thanks and Erikoussa, are due to the Sixta Rosa people for field assistance. Diapontia islets, REFERENCES: ACOSTA -G ALviS , A. R. (2000): Ranas, salamandras y caecilias (Tetrapoda: Amphibia) de Colombia.- Biota Colombiana, Santafé de Bogotá; 1 The herpetofauna of (Kérkira), (3): 289-319. ACOSTA -G ALviS , A. R. (2012): Anfibios including the islets of (Pithia) and La- de los enclaves secos del área de influencia de los Montes de María y la Ciénaga de La Caimanera, depar - zaretto (Ag. Dimitrios), is well documented tamento de Sucre, Colombia.- Biota Colombiana, (e.g., TOTH et al. 2002; RAZETTi et al. 2006; Santafé de Bogotá; 13 (2): 211-231. ACOSTA -G ALviS , references therein) and the nearby island of A. R. (2014): Lista de los anfibios de Colombia. Paxos (Paxoi) has recently been discussed ver.03.2014. WWW document available at < http:// www.batrachia.com > (last accessed: March 24, 2014). by WiLSON et al. (2014). in contrast, there BERNAL , M. H. & L yNCH , J. D. (2008): Review and is no published information on the herpeto - analysis of altitudinal distribution of the Andean anu - fauna of the neighboring and the rans in Colombia.- Zootaxa, Auckland; 1826: 1-25. Diapontia islets. CUENTAS -M ONTALvO , D. & B ORJA -A CUñA , R. & LyNCH , J. D. & R ENGiFO , J. M . (2002): Anuros del The Diapontia archipelago, situated departamento del Atlántico y Norte del Bolívar. off the northwest coast of Corfu (Figure 1), Barranquilla, Colombia (Universidad del Atlántico y consists of seven small islets of which the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico - three main islets are Othonoi, Erikoussa and Cencys 21), pp. 117. EMERSON , S. B. (1988): The giant tadpole of Pseudis paradoxa .- Biological Journal of the Mathraki. These islets have a small number Linnean Society, Oxford; 34 (2): 93-104. FROST , D. R. of year round residents, whereas Platia, (2014): Amphibian species of the world: ver. 6.0. Elec- Trachia, Diaplo and Diakopo are very small tronic database WWW document accessible at < http:// uninhabited islets. The closest distance to research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html > American Museum of Natural History, New york, italy is 75 km (from Othonoi), to 30 USA. (last accessed: March 24, 2014). GALviS -P EñU- km (from Erikoussa) and to Corfu 8 km ELA , P. A. & M EJiA -T OBON , A. & R UEDA -A LMONACiD , J. (from Mathraki). v. (2011): Fauna silvestre de la Reserva Forestal The topography of Erikoussa and Protectora Montes de Oca. La Guajira, Colombia (Corpoguajira), pp. 822. LESCURE , J. & M ARTy , C. Mathraki is low-lying and hilly. Mathraki (2000): Atlas des amphibiens de Guyane.- Collection (2.9 km 2) has several beaches and is sur - Patrimoines Naturels / Muséum National d’Histoire rounded by reefs and rocky islets. Erikous- Naturelle, Paris; 45: 1-388). RENGiFO , R. J. M. & sa (3.7 km 2) has two main beaches with LUNDBERG , M. (1999): Guía de campo. Anfibios y rep - tíles de Urrá. Medellín (Ediciones Skanska y Editorial sand-dunes, a long valley, the Megalo Livadi, Colina), pp. 96. ROMERO J. H. & L yNCH , J. D. ( 2012): that is crossing most of the island from the Anfibios de la región Caribe; pp. 677-701. in: RANGEL - south to the northwest and several streams CH., J . O. (Ed.): Colombia. Diversidad Biótica Xii. La that become dry during summer. On región Caribe de Colombia. Bogotá D. C. (Universidad 2 Nacional de Colombia - instituto de Ciencias Natura- Othonoi (10.5 km ) there is a small moun - les). tain, Merovigli, on the northwest side of the __All_Short_Notes_SHORT_NOTE.qxd 12.02.2016 10:40 Seite 28

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Fig. 1: Corfu and the three main Diapontia islets of Mathraki, Othonoi and Erikoussa.

islet, a valley and a river crossing the islet in the Diapontia islets were connected to each a southeast to northwest direction, and sev - other and to the mainland. At the beginning eral small streams and rivers that become of the Holocene period (8,000 cal yr BP) the dry during the summer. The cave, sea-level had risen and the cost-line in the said to be the place where was study area looked very much like it does at kept prisoner, is situated on the west coast. the present time. However, the relatively According to MAKRODiMiTRiAS et al. low level of sea rise and the extensive sedi - (2010) the Diapontia islets belong to the ment deposition in the area during this peri - external ionian zone of the Hellenides od extended the land sea-wards ( PERiSSORA - Mountains and are surrounded by faults and TiS & C ONiSPOLiATiS 2003) suggesting that thrusts. The Borsh Khardhiqit strike slip the shores of the islands in this particular fault is situated just north of the islands, the area were more extensive than they are ionian thrust borders the islands in the west, today. the Middle ionian thrust traverses the main - The vegetation of the Diapontia islets land in the east and the margin of Corfu is typical Mediterranean with costal sclero - forms a boundary in the south. This means phyllous forests, stands of Cupressus sem - that the islands are situated on the hanging pervirens and Pinus halapensis (the latter wall of the ionian thrust creating a “piggy- mainly on Erikoussa) and phrygana vegeta - back” basin where sedimentation continues. tion. A total of 558 species and subspecies The external ionian sedimentary zone con - of vascular plants have been reported from sists of sandstone, mudstone, limestone and the islands, as compared to Corfu’s 1866 evaporites. The top soil is formed by sandy (PANiTSA & i LiADOU 2013). Erica manipuli - loam that when saturated keeps the water on flora , Myrtus communis , Rosmarinus offici - the surface, forming temporary pools and nalis , Salvia fruticosa , Spartium junceum , puddles. Anthyllis hermanniae and Euphorbia ar - The did not completely borea are examples of common species separate from the mainland until sometime found on the islets. The climate is similar to during the Pleistocene period. Subsequent- that of Corfu with dry, rather warm sum - ly, the sea-level in the was at its mers, and extensive rains (approximately lowest during late Pleistocene (-120 m, 1,000 mm annually; TOTH et al. 2002) main - 21,500 cal yr BP) when the last large glacial ly during the winter months. of the Weichsel/Würm ice age was at its The influence of human activity on the maximum. During this period, Corfu and three studied islets seems much less exten - __All_Short_Notes_SHORT_NOTE.qxd 12.02.2016 10:40 Seite 29

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sive than on, for example, Corfu. All the tion had been found in the village in mid- islets have been cultivated and pro - May. duction has previously been a main source The area around the village, which of income, and on Othonoi, production of holds a very dense population of B. viridis , timber for export. Today the olive produc - and the Megalo Livadi may very well sup - tion and cultivation on the islets is kept to a port populations of Hyla and Mauremys . small scale and the natural vegetation is However, to clarify this a visit to the island becoming dominant. Furthermore, there are during March-April, when streams and only a few hotels and no large tourist com - ponds are flooded, is required. plexes, and the roads are small with only a Hemidactylus turcicus (LiNNEUS , few cars. 1758) (Fig. 3) – extremely common, occur - The Diapontia islets were colonized ring in all habitat types. during the second half of the 16th century, Algyroides nigropunctatus (DUMéRiL starting with Othonoi. The Othonoi harbor & B iBRON , 1839) (Fig. 4) – common on the of Ammos was once busy with ships sailing island. All adult males observed displayed the Adriatic, and from a tourist perspective orange-red throats and bellies, but were in- there still seems to be a close connection to variably missing the blue throat typically italy ( FAKAROS 1998). present during the mating season in, e.g., During the spring of 2014 the authors Corfu (also on Othonoi and Mathraki, see visited Erikoussa (May 18 to 20), Othonoi below). in 2015 all A. nigropunctatus ob - (May 20 to 23) and Mathraki (May 23 to served were specifically checked for color 24). The weather was favorable, partly pattern but no blue morphs were detected. cloudy sky with day temperatures ranging Although the Diapontia islets are well with - from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. There was in the distribution range of the nominate still open water on Erikoussa and Othonoi. race, the significance of the populations will On June 3 to 6, 2015 Erikoussa was revisit - require further studies. ed. The weather during this time was warm Malpolon insignitus fuscus (FLEiSCH- and sunny with day temperatures between MANN , 1831) (Fig 5) – Five specimens were 25 and 30 degrees Celcius. There was no observed, one adult male and one adult open water on the island. female, close to the Pangini Beach in the northeast, two young males in the port vil - Erikoussa lage, and one juvenile in the center of the islet, all different habitats. The adult speci - Bufotes viridis (LAURENTi , 1768) (Fig. mens were observed active between 14:00 2) – several adult specimens as well as large and 19:00 h, 20 °C with light overcast sky, numbers of tadpoles and newly metamor - the juvenile was found hiding under a pile phosed specimens close to the harbor vil - of roof tiles in mid-afternoon. One male lage of Porto in the southern bay of was close to shedding. The number of lon - Erikoussa. The area in question seemed very gitudinal scale rows at mid-body was 17 in beneficial to B. viridis featuring several the two specimens examined. A male meas - shallow ponds with scarce or no vegetation, ured 106 / 133 cm (snout-vent- length / total i.e., breeding sites preferred by this species. length), which is well within the range for in 2015 large numbers of foraging adult B. adult males in Corfu (pers. obs.). in 2015 viridis were observed at night throughout four adult male M. insignitus were observed the village valley. active throughout the day. One newly shed Hyla arborea (L iNNAEUS , 1758) – a skin of a male was found. newly metamorphosed specimen was found Hierophis gemonensis (LAURENTi , on the road in the village at night. 1768) has a wide distribution on the ionian Mauremys rivulata (v ALENCiENNES , islands ( CHONDROPOULOS 1989), including 1833) – an adult (20 cm) female was found Othonoi and Mathraki, and its most proba - at noon on the village beach, close to where ble absence from Erikoussa may be a conse - the stream, now dried up, enters the sea. quence of the presence of M. insignitus , a The only information obtained from locals competitor of as well as a potential predator was that a larger specimen in poor condi - on H. gemonensis . __All_Short_Notes_SHORT_NOTE.qxd 12.02.2016 10:40 Seite 30

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5 Fig. 2: Bufotes viridis from Erikoussa. Fig. 3: Hemidactylus turcicus from Erikoussa. Fig. 4: Male Algyroides nigropunctatus from Erikoussa. Fig. 5: Male Algyroides nigropunctatus from Othonoi. Fig. 6: Male Malpolon insignitus from Erikoussa. Fig. 7: Male Hierophis gemonensis from Othonoi. Fig. 8: Hemidactylus turcicus from Mathraki. Fig. 9: Male Hierophis gemonensis from Mathraki. __All_Short_Notes_SHORT_NOTE.qxd 12.02.2016 10:40 Seite 31

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Othonoi Mathraki Bufotes viridis – a large number of in contrast to the previous islets, no tadpoles in a small slow-flowing, sparsely open water was found and no amphibians vegetated stream that passes through the were observed. port village. in contrast to Erikoussa, no Hemidactylus turcicus (Fig. 8) – often shallow ponds were observed, indicating observed inside common, small concrete that the toads are reproducing in the stream constructions with metal lids, protecting itself. water valves and meters. Hemidactylus turcicus – only four Algyroides nigropunctatus – found all specimens in two localities, very much in over the islet in various habitats. The spec - contrast to the dense population on Erikous- imens’ pattern and color as in Corfu and sa. All specimens were observed in more Othonoi. shaded areas such as abandoned olive groves. Hierophis gemonensis (Fig. 9) – Two Algyroides nigropunctatus (Fig. 6) – individuals, similar in appearance to those found in various habitats all over the islet. of Corfu, but less conspicuous than the Pattern and color as in Corfu, males with Othonoi specimens. Both were observed reddish-brown belly, blue throat and head, basking in the morning at 20 °C and over - females had the typical brown or grayish cast sky. color with dark spots. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was con - Lacerta trilineata BEDRiAGA , 1886 – ducted under Greek permit 135829/2583 to the authors. four males, all observed in a rather restrict - REFERENCES: CHONDROPOULOS , B. P. (1989): ed rocky coastal slope in the southwest part A checklist of the Greek reptiles. 2. The snakes.- Her - petozoa, Wien; 2: 3-36. FAKAROS , D. (1998): Greek of the islet with phrygana vegetation, in islands. London (Cadogan Books PLC), pp. 634. which Anthyllis hermanniae and Euphorbia MAKRODiMiTRAS , G. & S TOy KOvA , K. & v AKALAS , i. & ar borea represented the predominant plant ZELiLiDiS , A. (2010): Age determination and palaeogeo - species. The lizards were very cautious, graphic reconstruction of Diapondia islands in NW Greece, based on Calcareous Nanno fossils.- Bulletin of sunning in dense vegetation or seen quickly the Geological Society of Greece, Athinai; 43 (2): 675- passing the road. identification was possi - 684. PANiTSA , M. & i LiADOU , E. (2013): Flora and phy - ble at one brief close encounter with a large togeography of the ionian islands (Greece). 2nd male (stout body, broad temporal region, Botanical Conference in Menorca (Es Mercadal, 26- 30 April, 2011); islands and plants: preservation and yellowish green color with dark vermiculate understanding of flora on Medi terranean islands. spots on the head without a hint of blue in Proceedings and abstracts, pp. 243-260. PERiSSORATiS , the gular region, features rather speaking C. & C ONiSPOLiATiS , N. (2003): The impacts of sea-level against Lacerta viridis (LAURENTi , 1768)), changes during latest Pleistocene and Holocene times on the morphology of the ionian and Aegean seas (SE but no useful pictures were obtained. The Alpine Europe).- Marine Geology, Amsterdam etc.; behavior was somewhat unexpected since L. 196: 145-156. RAZZETTi , E. & B ADER , T. & B iLEK , K. trilineata on Corfu is fairly easy to approach, & D ELFiNO , M. & D i CERBO , A. R. & D UDA , M. & H iLL , but as very few people live on Othonoi, the J. (2006): A contribution to the knowledge of the her - petofauna of the Greek island of Corfu.- Societas lizards can be expected to be wary. in addi - Herpetologica italica: Atti del v Congresso Nazionale, tion, numerous cats exist on the islet and are Calci (Pisa); 29: 207-216. TóTH , T. & K RECSáK , L. & well fed during the tourist season from June MADSEN , T. & U JváRi , B. (2002): Herpetofaunal locali - to August. The cats may be a major threat to ty records on the Greek island of Corfu.- Herpetozoa, the lizards during the rest of the year when Wien; 15 (3/4): 149-169. WiLSON , M. & S TiLLE , B. & STiLLE , M. (2014): Herpetofauna of Paxos, ioanian food is scarce, which could further increase islands, Greece, including two species new to the lizard wariness. island.- Herpetozoa, Wien; 27 (1/2): 108-112. Hierophis gemonensis (Fig. 7) – six KEy WORDS: Reptilia; Amphibia; Bufotes active specimens observed between 15:00 viridis , Bufo viridis , Hemidactylus turcicus , Algyroides and 18:00 h in the southwestern part of the nigro punctatus , Lacerta trilineata , Hierophis gemo - nensis , Malpolon insignitus ; herpetofauna; new island islet, i.e., in the same area as L. trilineata . records, ionian islands, , Greece The specimens captured had very distinct SUBMiTTED: July 25, 2014 head and front body patterns, more so than AUTHORS: Bo STiLLE (Corresponding author specimens from Corfu, Paxos and Mathra - < [email protected] >) and Marie STiLLE – ki. Kokkini Kefalovrysso 1410, 491 00 Corfu, Greece.