North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 4, Suppl.1, 2008, pp.S1-S23 [Online: Vol.4, 2008: S01] Preliminary data regarding the distribution and status of the herpetofauna in Iaşi County (Romania) Alexandru STRUGARIU¹*, Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU¹, Andreea NICOARĂ¹, Iulian GHERGHEL², Istvan SAS³, Cristina M. PUŞCAŞU4 and Teodor BUGEAC¹, 1. “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Blvd. Carol I No. 20 A, 700506 - Iaşi, Romania. 2. Piatra Neamţ Technical College, Str.Stefan cel Mare No. 67, 610101 - Piatra Neamţ, Romania 3. University of Oradea, Faculty of Scienses, Biology Department. Str. Universităţii No. 1 - 410087, Oradea, Romania 4. “Gr. T. Popa” University, Faculty of General Medicine, Str. Universităţii No. 16, 700115 - Iaşi, Romania * Correspondig author: Al. Strugariu; E-mail:
[email protected], Phone No: (+004) 0740 161 182 Abstract. This paper presents the results of a study conducted in Iaşi County, Romania, an area for which data regarding the distribution of the herpetofauna has previously remained incomplete. Thirteen species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax lessonae, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria), nine reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus, Vipera berus and Vipera ursinii)and hybrids between B. bombina and B. variegata and between P. ridibundus and P. lessonae (Pelophylax kl. esculentus) were recorded in the 62 investigated localities in Iaşi County. Salamandra salamandra is recorded for the first time in the area, east of the Siret river, being situated at its eastern distribution limit for Europe.