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Herpetologica Romanica Vol. 1, 2007, pp.62-69

Contributions to the study of the geographical distribution of the herpetofauna in the North-East area of in

Severus-Daniel COVACIU-MARCOV1, Alfred-Ştefan CICORT-LUCACIU2, Radu-Dorin ILE3, Alina PASCONDEA4, Ramona VATAMANIUC4

1 University of Oradea, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Universităţii Str. 1, 410087-Oradea, Romania, E-mail: [email protected] 2 “Babes-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Biology, Kogalniceanu Str. 1; 400084-Cluj-Napoca; Romania, E-mail: [email protected] 4 London, England 4 Bsc student, University of Oradea, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Oradea, Romania

Abstract. In the investigated area we have identified 13 species of amphibians: Salamandra salamandra, Mesotriton alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidalea viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, 10 species of reptiles: Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Anguis fragilis, Zamenis longissimus, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipea berus, hybrid populations Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata and populations of Pelophylax kl. esculentus. The herpetofauna of this area encompasses mainly species characteristic to mountainous and hilly environments, while the species characteristic to plain habitats can only be found in a small area, in the West side of the studied area, due to the high altitude relief which is dominant in this area. The variety of herpetofauna here is similar to that of other areas in Arad County. The hybridization line between the two species of the Bombina genus and the altitude limit to which they spread are similar to other Western regions of the country. Mesotriton alpestris descends to an altitude of 400 metres, apparently a common situation in Western Romania.

Key words: herpetofauna, Romania, Arad county, amphibians, reptiles

Introduction

The geographical spreading of the Arad County’s herpetofauna was insufficiently studied up to the present, despite some areas of the county being recently studied (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2005 a, 2006 a). The most recent data on Romania’s herpetofauna refers only to endangered species (Iftime 2005). Thus, even nowadays, the most significant general studies about Romania’s herpetofauna are the volumes from “Fauna R.P.R.” referring to amphibians and reptiles (Fuhn 1960, Fuhn & Vancea 1961), while at the present time it is considered that the data in the last century’s studies represents only 5% of the real situation today (Ghira et al 2002). Subsequently, this data was put up to date for the amphibians (Cogălniceanu et al 2000). In these general studies are stated a few localities from Arad County as well. Hence, we aimed to analyse the composition, geographical spreading and possible particularities of the herpetofauna from the North-East area of Arad County.

Materials and Methods

The studied area is in the North-East of Arad County and it includes a part of the river Crişul Alb’s middle sector watershed (fig.1). The studied area borders Bihor and Hunedoara Counties at North and East and it borders Zărandului Mountains at South, mountains that separate the watersheds of Crişul Alb and Mureş rivers. Towards West the studied area reaches the Sebiş and towns. The studied area is a high area of hills and mountains represented at North by Codru-Moma Mountains and at South by Zărandului Mountains (Tufescu 1986). The West side is lower and represented by Sebisului and Gurahont depressions (Posea & Badea 1984). Our study took place between 2002 and 2006. We have used the “transects method” (Cogalniceanu 1997), making numerous surveys, in all the five years of our study, in each investigated locality. The animals were determined mostly directly, without the necessity of capturing them. When the capture of some specimens was compulsory, it was usually made by hand. Amphibians in their aquatic period were captured with the help of rectangle drags or using round nets mounted on long metallic poles. After determining the captured species, they were set free in their habitats of origin. An important role in the charting of the herpetofauna of the investigated region was played by the dead animals that we found, killed either by local people or by cars. The hybrids were determined after their morphological and chromatic characteristics, the determination being made

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007, Romania The geographical distribution of the herpetofauna in the North-East area of Arad County in Romania 63 after main features and measurements indicated in the specialty literature (Berger 1966, 1973, Cogălniceanu et al 2000, Ghira & Mara 2000, Stugren 1980, Szymura 1993).

Figure 1. The geographical position of the studied area in Arad county, Romania

Results

In the North-East area of Arad County we have identified 13 species of amphibians (table 1, fig.2): Salamandra salamandra, Mesotriton alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidalea viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria and 10 species of reptiles (table 1, fig.3): Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Anguis fragilis, Zamenis longissimus, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellate, Vipera berus. Besides these species, we have also found hybrid species between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata and between Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax lessonae, hybrids known as Pelophylax kl. esculentus. It was studied the spreading of the 23 species and 2 hybrids of herpetofauna in the 55 localities of the studied area. There were identified 461 localities for the studied species in the 55 area localities (table 1). Among these, 399 are new localities for Romania's herpetofauna. The existence of both types of amphibians hybrids in North-East of Arad County was recorded in premiere.

Discussions

Composition-wise, the herpetofauna of the North-East Arad County area is similar to the one in Central (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2000, 2003 a, b, c, 2005 a, 2006 a). In these areas were found the same species, in similar habitats, their spreading being conditioned by the same factors. The herpetofauna of the studied area is characteristic for high, hilly and mountainous areas in this County and generally in Western Romania (Ghira et al 2002). The common species for Romania's mountains and hills were found here to live in the largest habitats and are represented by the largest populations, fact explained by the large ratio of the high altitude relief of the investigated area. The low altitude habitats are only found in limited area at the west of the investigated area, along the river Crisul Alb. Hence, the most of the species are the ones characteristic to high altitudes and are represented by: Triturus cristatus, Mesotriton alpestris, Bombina variegata, Rana temporaria, Podarcis muralis, Vipera berus, etc. The low altitude species (Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus) live in a few reduced size areas and were found in a few spots in west of the studied area.

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007 64 S.D. Covaciu-Marcov et al.

Tabel 1: Distribution of amphibian and reptile species in the localities of the studied area.

Locality S M T L B B B P B P H P P R R E L L P A C Z N N V s a c v b v X f f v a r e d t o a v m f a l n t b Aciuţa - - X X - X - - X X X X X X - - - X X X - - X X - Aldeşti ------X - X - - X ------Almaş - O - X - X - - - - - X - X - - X X - - - - X - - Avram Iancu X - X X - X - - - - X X - X X - - X X ------Bârsa - - - X ------X - X - - X ------Berindia ------X - - - X - - - - X X - - - O S S - - S - S O S X S - S X - - - - - S O - Bonţeşti - - X X - X X - - - X X - X - - X - - - - - X - - - - - X - X - - X - X X - X - - X X - - - - X X - Buceava-Şoimuş X - X X - X - - X X X X - X X - X X - - - - X X - Buhani - - X X - X - - X - X X - X - - X X ------ - - X X - X - - X X - X - X - - X X - - - - X - - Cil - - X X - - X - - - X X - X - - X X - - - - X - - X - X X - X - - X - X - - X - - X X - - - - - X - Crocna - - - - - X - - X - X X - - - - - X ------ S - O O - S - - S - S S - S O - X S X S O - S - O O O O O - X - O - - O S - O - - S - - - - - S O - Donceni - - X X - X - - X - X X - X - - X X ------Dumbrava - - - - - X ------X ------Groşi X - - X - X ------X X - - - X - X - - - - Gurahonţ - - O X - S - - X O S S X S S - S S S - O O S X - Gura Văii - - - X - X - - X X X X - - - - X X X - - - - X - Honţişor - - - X - X - - X - X - - X - - - X ------Iacobini X - X X - X - - X X X X - X X - X X X - - - X X - Iosaş - - - - - X - - X - X X X ------Joia Mare X - X X - X - - X X - X - X - - - X X - - - X - - Laz - - - - - X - - X - X - - X - - X X ------Mădrigeşti X S X X - S - - X X X - - X X - X X X X - - S X O Măgulicea - - - - - X ------Mânerău - - - X - - - - - X - X - X - - X ------Minead X - X X - X - - X - X X - X - - X X - - - - X - X S S - - - S - - S - X O - S S - X X X S - X S - S Musteşti - - - - - X ------X - - - X ------Neagra X - - - - X - - X - X - - X - - X X ------Păulean - - X X - - - - X - - X - X - - - X - - - - X X - Păiuşeni X X X X - X - - X - X - - X X - S S X - - - - X - Pescari ------X - - X X ------Pleşcuţa - - X X - X - - X X X X - X - - X X X - - - X X - Rădeşti X - X X - X - - X - X X - X - - X X X X X - X - - Rănuşa X - - - - X - - X - X X - X X - X X X X - X X - - Răpsig - - - X X - - - - X - X - X - - X - - - - - X - - Revetiş - - - - - X ------Rostoci - - - - - X - - X - X X - X - - X X ------Sălăjeni - - - - - X - - X - X X - X - - X X - X - - - - - Sebiş - - S S - X X - S O S S X S - X X X - S S - S X - Secaş - - - X - X - - X - X X - X - - - X - - - - - X - Slatina de Criş - - - - - X - - X - X - - X - - X X ------Tălagiu S O - - - S - - S - - X - X - - - X S S - - S X O Valea Mare - - - - - X - - X - X - - X - - - X X ------Văsoaia X X X X - X - - X - X - - X X - X X - - - - - X - Vârfurile - - X X - X - - - - X X - X - - - X S X - - - - - Vidra - - X X - X - - - - - X X X - - - X ------ ------X - - - - X ------Zimbru - - - - - S - - X - S - - X - - O S X - - O - - - Zugău X - - - - X - - X - X - - X - - X X ------Σ X 1 2 2 3 1 3 3 - 3 1 3 3 7 4 8 1 3 3 1 6 2 2 1 1 1 4 0 0 9 2 0 1 2 1 3 7 5 6 6 Σ S 3 2 1 2 1 6 - 1 4 1 4 5 - 5 2 1 3 4 3 4 1 - 8 - 1 Σ O 1 3 4 2 - - - 1 - 2 2 1 - 1 1 - 1 - - - 2 2 - 2 3

Table legend – see in the next page

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007 The geographical distribution of the herpetofauna in the North-East area of Arad County in Romania 65

Legend – Table 1: Geographical localities: 55 New localities (X): 399 Previously signaled localities in which we reconfirmed the presence of the species (S): 62 Sum of the identified localities (X+S): 461 Localities in which the presence of a certain species, previously signaled, was not been reconfirmed (O): 28

Ss=Salamandra salamandra, Ma=Mesotriton alpestris, Tc=Triturus cristatus, Lv=Lissotriton vulgaris, Bb=Bombina bombina, Bv=Bombina variegata, BX= Bombina bombinaXBombina variegata, Pf=Pelobates fuscus, Bf=Bufo bufo, Pv=Pseudepidalea viridis, Ha=Hyla arborea, Pr=Pelophylax ridibundus, Pe=Pelophylax kl. esculentus, Rd=Rana dalmatina, Rt=Rana temporaria, Eo=Emys orbicularis, La=Lacerta agilis, Lv=Lacerta viridis, Pm=Podarcis muralis, Af=Anguis fragilis, Zl=Zamenis longissimus, Ca=Coronella austriaca, Nn=Natrix natrix, Nt=Natrix tessellata Vb=Vipera berus.

Among the crested newts group, the only species found here was Triturus cristatus. Triturus dobrogicus was previously found in the plain areas of Arad County (Cogalniceanu et al 2000, Covaciu- Marcov et al 2005 a, 2006 a), here though was not found despite the low altitude (150 m) at west of the studied area. The absence of this species here could be explained by the absence of the characteristic relief for its habitats (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006 a) despite the suitable altitude. In North-West of Arad county Triturus cristatus can be found at altitudes higher than 150 metres, in irregular relief, with high areas at its South limit (Arntzen & Borkin 1997). Mesotriton alpestris is also a typical species for mountainous areas, but it is relatively rarely found in North-East of Arad County. It can be found both in Codru-Moma Mountains and in Zarandului Mountains. It can be found at as low as 350-400 metres, breeding in ponds along narrow and shaded mountainous valleys. This confirms the low altitude limit for this species in Western Romania (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2003 a, c, 2005 a, b, 2006 a) and as well compared to the rest of the country (Fuhn 1960, Cogalniceanu et al 2000). The two species of the Bombina genus are spread along disjunctive habitats. Bombina bombina can be found in the meadow of Crisul Alb River at altitudes lower than 150 m, whilst Bombina variegata is spread over most of the studied area, and can be found at 150 m altitude and above. There are hybrid populations in Sebis area, in-between the limit of the habitats of the two species at approximately 150 m altitude. The hybrid area from Sebis continues the hybrid area from the river 's watershed, which is located at the same altitude (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006 a). There are other hybrid populations between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata in the studied area around the Cil and Bontesti localities, situated at about 190 m altitude. This hybridization altitude corresponds with the one of the whole Western Romania (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 b) and it is lower than the one in other parts of the country (Ghira et al 2003, Strugariu et al 2006). However, there is a significant difference to the rest of hybrids populations from the West of the country, these populations being found right in Bombina variegata habitats, whilst the nearest population of Bombina bombina is located at 25 km away towards West. In this situation, perhaps it is not the altitude that stops the species Bombina bombina to come towards East, but the aspect of the relief which is narrow with the aspect of a defile from Joia Mare, which despite the altitude, has a typical mountainous aspect suitable for Bombina variegata. The same situation explains the absence of the Fire-bellied Toad from The Beiusului Depression (Covaciu- Marcov et al 2003 c). The hybrids from Cil-Bontesti live in large quasi-permanent habitats represented by moors, ponds areas or deep ditches on the side of the roads, habitats characteristic for Bombina bombina. Perhaps in this situation the habitat is in favour for the phenotype individuals closer to Bombina bombina even if the species cannot be found nearby. The importance of the habitat features in the selection of Bombina phenotypes has been encountered before in hybridisation zones (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2003 d, Ghira et al 2000, 2003), hybrid populations isolated from the parental species being a rare situation in west of the country (Sas et al 2005). In general the hybrid populations are formed of intermediary individuals between the two species and individuals with mainly Bombina variegata characteristics. From Bufonidae, the most common in this area is Bufo bufo whilst Pseudepidalea viridis can seldom be found. This is also a consequence of the predominant high relief, the green toad being characteristic for warmer and drier areas, originating from steppe areas (Stugren 1957). Among the green complex frogs, in the studied area were found Pelophylax ridibundus and the hybrid Pelophylax kl. esculentus. Pelophylax ridibundus is a lot more common but its spreading is limited to the surroundings of the Crisul Alb River and its tributaries and was not found in higher areas. Pelophylax kl. esculentus is a lot rarer, being found only in 7 localities also in the surroundings of the Crisul Alb River.

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007 66 S.D. Covaciu-Marcov et al.

Figure 2: Distribution of amphibian species in the studied area

The majority of the Pelophylax kl. esculentus populations live in moors , wide moist areas and pond areas or in ditches on the side of the road, same as in other western zones of the country (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2004, 2005 b, 2006 a). Nevertheless, in Gurahont-Aciuta area we identified Pelophylax kl. esculentus on the valley of typical mountain brooks, with quick flow and rocky bed situated in woody areas. This frog was

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007 The geographical distribution of the herpetofauna in the North-East area of Arad County in Romania 67 previously found in this type of habitat in Arad County in the River Mures' watershed (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2005), case which is rare to be found. Among the green frogs systems (Tunner & Heppich-Tunner 1991), the R-E system can be found in the studied area, or in most cases Pelophylax ridibundus is the only form of the group. The three species of lizards from the area are represented by numerous populations. Lacerta agilis is widespread over the entire studied area, in very various habitats. Lacerta viridis is missing from the low western part of the studied area, but it frequently found on hills with bushes, in the skirts of forests or on the sides of roads. Podarcis muralis is found at higher altitudes, it is missing from low western areas and from central depressions; it is only found in cliffy areas with detritus. Most of the populations were found to live in cliffy areas on the sides of the forest roads, or rarely on the sides of railways, situation encountered before in the Varfuri area (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006 c).

Figure 3: Distribution of reptile species in the studied area

From the two species of the Natrix genus, Natrix natrix is the most common. Natrix tessellata was only found by the Crisul Alb River in narrow quick flowing areas and by its brooks. Thus, the spreading of the species is dictated by the features of the habitat. The number of these habitats is not very large, but the

Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007 68 S.D. Covaciu-Marcov et al. populations that inhabit them are quite large. The juveniles are generally found in brooks with shallow water and rocky beds. In many cases, in the dice snake's habitat lives the grass snake as well. Vipera berus is rare in the studied area and had identified it only in Moneasa-Minead area. It can be found as low as 200-300 m altitude on the skirts of forests or highly moist areas. Despite the fact that in Romania Vipera berus is generally found in high mountains (Fuhn & Vancea 1961), in west of the country there were recently identified several populations in plains and hills areas (Ghira et al 2002). Probably the populations from Moneasa-Minead area are connected to the ones in the lower altitude from the superior watershed of the Teuzului River (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006 a).

Acknowledgements. In this way we want to thank to Istvan Sas (University of Oradea, Romania) for helpful comments on an early version of the manuscript. We would also like to thank to the members of Herpetological Club - Oradea for their priceless help in the field.

References

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