DOCSLIB.ORG

Microhabitat Selection of the Western Green Lizard Lacerta Bilineata Massimiliano Luppi1, 2, *, Augusto Gentilli2, Giuseppe Bogl

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Microhabitat Selection of the Western Green Lizard Lacerta Bilineata Massimiliano Luppi1, 2, *, Augusto Gentilli2, Giuseppe Bogl Natural History Sciences. Atti Soc. it. Sci. nat. Museo civ. Stor. nat. Milano, 7 (2): 3-10, 2020 DOI: 10.4081/nhs.2020.451 Microhabitat selection of the Western green lizard Lacerta bilineata Massimiliano Luppi1, 2, *, Augusto Gentilli2, Giuseppe Bogliani2 Abstract - We examined the characteristics of microhabitats INTRODUCTION selected by Western green lizards, Lacerta bilineata. Model selection The traditional agricultural environment has been was carried out with the Information-theoretic approach that focuses on the estimation of effect size and measures of its precision. Our modified in recent decades in order to enhance produc- results show that the Western green lizard selects positively sites with tion. This model of development has led to the reduc- good shrub cover, necessary as shelter, while it avoids areas with bare tion of natural areas and especially ecotonal areas and soil where there are no refuges. Additionally, lizards showed a posi- hedgerows that may act as wildlife habitat and ecological tive selection of rocks (located exclusively in artificial riverbanks) that corridors between natural and semi-natural areas. Habi- represent a suitable habitat for thermoregulation and sheltering. The tat fragmentation is one of the biggest problems for the results of our work, and particularly the negative effects of bare soil and the positive effects of shrub cover, confirm the need to restore the net- conservation of biodiversity, especially for animal groups work of hedgerows and other linear elements in cultivated landscapes such as reptiles, which have reduced mobility (Rubio & in order to create suitable areas for L. bilineata. Carrascal, 1994). The Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) is a large Key words: habitat, information-theoretic methods, Italy, lizard, lizard (adult total length: 30-45 cm) that occupies the model averaging. Northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, France, Switzer- land, West Germany and Italy (Elbing et al., 1997; Corti Riassunto - Selezione del microhabitat del ramarro Lacerta bili- & Lo Cascio, 2002; Schiavo & Venchi, 2006). It lives in neata. open habitats and is widespread in the uncultivated edges Abbiamo esaminato le caratteristiche del microhabitat selezionate of woods and fields, along irrigation channels and roads dal ramarro, Lacerta bilineata. La selezione dei modelli è stata fatta con l’approccio Information-theoretic che si focalizza sulla stima del (Barbieri & Gentilli, 2002; Schiavo & Venchi, 2006; valore degli effetti e sulla misura della loro precisione. I nostri risultati Meek, 2014; Pernat et al., 2017). mostrano che il ramarro seleziona positivamente i siti con una buona Lacerta bilineata appeared to be still well distributed copertura arbustiva, necessaria come riparo, mentre evita le aree con in the lowland areas of Northern Italy until a few dec- suolo nudo dove non ci sono rifugi. Inoltre, i ramarri mostrano una ades ago, when it was abundant (Scali & Schiavo, 2004; selezione positiva delle rocce (localizzate esclusivamente nelle sponde Schiavo & Venchi, 2006). In recent years, however, the fluviali artificiali) che rappresentano un habitat adatto per la termore- golazione e come riparo. I risultati del nostro lavoro, e in particolare status of the species has become quite different because l’effetto negativo del suolo nudo e l’effetto positivo della copertura of the homogenization of the countryside, intensive cul- arbustiva, confermano la necessità di ristabilire una rete di siepi ed altri tivation and the destruction of hedgerows. In addition, elementi lineari del paesaggio coltivato in modo da creare aree adatte the use of pesticides has greatly reduced insect abun- per L. bilineata. dance and thus its primary source of food. The Western Parole chiave: approccio information-theoretic, habitat, Italia, green lizard is now locally threatened and the conversion lucertola, model averaging. of traditional agricultural habitats to intensive methods of farming is causing local population declines (Scali & Schiavo, 2004; Schiavo & Venchi, 2006). Moreover, 1 Via Pionnio 38, 27022 Casorate Primo (PV), Italia. 2 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, the requirements of this species coincide with those of Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italia. several other species typical of ecotones and, therefore, E-mail: [email protected], the Western green lizard might serve as an “umbrella [email protected] species” for many other taxa, playing a key role in pro- tecting these sensitive areas of transition. The species is * Corresponding author: [email protected] listed on appendix II (strictly protected fauna species) © 2020 Massimiliano Luppi, Augusto Gentilli, of the Bern Convention (Council of Europe, 1979) as L. Giuseppe Bogliani viridis and is considered of least concern (LC; popula- tion trend: decreasing) in the IUCN Red List of Threat- Received: 29 March 2020 ened Species (Pérez-Mellado et al., 2009). In Europe Accepted for publication: 10 July 2020 an important legal instrument of conservation is the EU Online publication: 28 October 2020 Habitats Directive (Council of Europe, 1992); L. bilineta 4 MASSIMILIANO LUPPI, Augusto GENTILLI, GIUSEPPE BOGLIANI (as L. viridis) is inserted in Annex IV (species in need of The area has a high environmental heterogeneity and strict protection). To ensure a favourable conservation includes hygro-mesophilic woods dominated by the pres- status, Member States shall take the required measures ence of oak (Quercus robur) with a rich undergrowth (Pru- to establish a system of strict protection, prohibiting all nus padus, Ulmus minor, Crataegus monogyna, Cornus forms of deliberate disturbance, capture or killing of sanguinea, Ligustrum vulgare), hybrid poplar plantations, specimens of these species in the wild and avoiding de- wetlands (Salix spp., Alnus glutinosa), and open areas terioration or destruction of their habitat. Nevertheless, characterized by a low value of shrub cover and a high val- few resources are invested in monitoring the status of ue of short herbaceous cover. Along a stretch of the bank species and habitats and in the absence of reliable data, of the River Ticino included in our study area, there is an it will be impossible to assess the impact of conservation artificial embankment consisting of large boulders; among measures. Therefore, studies on the ecology and status the rocks a shrub vegetation has developed, which consists of these species are essential. predominantly of bushes of Salix alba and Rubus spp.. The few remaining natural areas in the plains of Northern Italy, mostly limited to floodplains, offer a unique refuge for many animal species, including the Sampling methods Western green lizard, which find a suitable habitat along The study was conducted from July to October 2009, the riverbanks. The goal of this study was to collect data after the breeding season of the Western green lizard. Dur- on microhabitat selection by the Western green lizard in a ing this period, the activity pattern of lizards and habitat river floodplain in North-western Italy, in order to obtain characteristics were homogenous. We selected, inside our essential knowledge for developing appropriate manage- study area, most of the suitable habitats; then, in those ment strategies. Since the species is found in a variety of areas, we established a sampling path (length 2574 m) habitats, our aim was not to describe its general habitat, along dirt roads. We walked the sampling path on days but to highlight the microhabitat elements determining with favourable weather conditions, avoiding those with its presence, weighing all available microhabitats occur- uniform cloud cover and/or rain. Surveys were conducted ring in the study area. twice a week, covering a time band between 09:00 and 18:00 h CET. When we detected an unmarked adult in exposed positions, we captured it by noosing (Blomberg MATERIALS AND METHODS & Shine, 2006). After capture, each individual was measured (snout- Study Area vent length, SVL), photographed (ventral photo) and im- The study was carried out in a natural area approxi- mediately released at the exact location of capture. Each mately 100 ha wide and located 70 m a.s.l., in the central lizard was also individually marked by a unique colour part of the floodplain of the Ticino Regional Park (Fig. code with acrylic paint on the dorsum for temporary iden- 1; 45°16’25”N; 8°59’05”E), in the municipality of Motta tification (Rubio & Carrascal, 1994; Martín & Salvador, Visconti (Lombardy, North-western Italy). The climate of 1995; Blomberg & Shine, 2006). We observed an average this area can be characterized as continental with a mean duration of the marking of three weeks. This technique temperature of approximately 13°C. The average annual allowed long-distance identification and reduced the need rainfall is about 700 mm and rain occur mainly during of recapture (Rubio & Carrascal, 1994). Ventral photos spring and autumn. The coldest month (January) has tem- were used to identify lizards individually using a photo- perature ranging from 0 to 3°C, while the warmest one identification software, I³S Classic (Interactive Individual (July) ranges between 22-24°C (Pilon, 2004). Identification System - vers. 2.0, available at http://www. reijns.com/i3s) (Speed et al., 2007; Van Tienhoven et al., 2007). Photo-identification uses the arrangement of scales of the chinstrap as natural marks (Sacchi et al., 2010); this arrangement does not change
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Long-Term Monitoring of the Endemic Rana Latastei: Suggestions for After-LIFE Management
    Long-term monitoring of the endemic Rana latastei: suggestions for after-LIFE management L UCA C ANOVA and A LESSANDRO B ALESTRIERI Abstract We monitored egg clutch numbers of a popula- loss (Houlahan & Findlay, ; Cushman, ), pollution tion of the endemic Italian agile frog Rana latastei in a (Bridges & Semlitsch, ), disease epidemics and climate Site of Community Interest in northern Italy (SCI IT change (Kiesecker et al., ; Ficetola & Maiorano, ). ) during – with the aim of assessing the As for many other taxa (Menzel et al., ; Thackeray long-term variation in its abundance. We walked along et al., ; Chen et al., ), a shift to earlier breeding as the banks of canals and small ponds (n = ) – times per a result of global warming has been reported for several week between early February and mid-April each year to anuran species (Terhivuo, ; Reading, ; Corn, ; detect egg clutches. The relationships between the start of Tryjanovski et al., ). Shifts are stronger for anurans than the breeding season, yearly egg mass counts, rate of yearly those reported for trees, birds and butterflies (Parmesan, change in the number of recorded egg masses and climat- ), but the consequences of earlier breeding for popula- ic and environmental variables were assessed by multiple re- tion dynamics are still unknown. gression. The first deposition of eggs occurred progressively Neither phenological shifts (Blaustein et al., ), nor later in the year throughout the study period and mean air population decline (Blaustein et al., ; Richter et al., temperature during the breeding season decreased over this ; Stuart et al., ) affect all amphibian populations. period. Agile frogs showed high deposition site-fidelity.
    [Show full text]
  • Photographic Identification in Reptiles: a Matter of Scales
    Amphibiti-Reptilia 31 (2010): 4il9 502 Photographic identification in reptiles: a matter of scales Roberto Sacchil,*, Stefano Scali2, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosal, Fabio Pupinl , Augusto Gentillil, Serena Tettamanti2, Luca Cavigioli2, Luca Racinar , Veronica Maiocchil , Paolo Galeottil. Mauro Fasolal Abstract. Photographic identification is a promising marking technique alternative to the toe-clipping, since it is completely harmless, cheap. and it allows long time identification of individuals. Its application to ecological studies is mainly limited by the time consuming to compa.re pictures within large datasets and the huge variation of ornamentation pattems among dilTerent species, which prevent the possibility that a single algorithrn can effectively work for more than few species. Scales of Reptiles offer an effective alternative to omamentations for computer aided identilication procedures. since both shape and size of scales are unique to each individual, thus acting as a fingerprint like omamentation patlems do. We used the Interactive Individual ldentification System (t3S) software to assess whether different individuals of two species of European lizards (Podarcis muralis and Lacerta bilineata) can be reliably photographically identilied using the pattern of the intersections among pectoral scales as fingerprints. We found that I3S was able to itlentity different individuals among two samples of 21 individuals for each species independently from the emor associated to the ability of the operators in collecting pictures and in digitizing the pattenr of intersections among pectoral scales. In a database of 1043 images of P. muraLis collected between 2007 and 2008, the software recognized 987o of recaptures within each year. and 99c/o of the recaptures between years. In addition.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology and Pathology of Amphibian Ranaviruses
    Vol. 87: 243–266, 2009 DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS Published December 3 doi: 10.3354/dao02138 Dis Aquat Org OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS REVIEW Ecology and pathology of amphibian ranaviruses Matthew J. Gray1,*, Debra L. Miller1, 2, Jason T. Hoverman1 1274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries, Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-4563, USA 2Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 43 Brighton Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA ABSTRACT: Mass mortality of amphibians has occurred globally since at least the early 1990s from viral pathogens that are members of the genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae. The pathogen infects multiple amphibian hosts, larval and adult cohorts, and may persist in herpetofaunal and oste- ichthyan reservoirs. Environmental persistence of ranavirus virions outside a host may be several weeks or longer in aquatic systems. Transmission occurs by indirect and direct routes, and includes exposure to contaminated water or soil, casual or direct contact with infected individuals, and inges- tion of infected tissue during predation, cannibalism, or necrophagy. Some gross lesions include swelling of the limbs or body, erythema, swollen friable livers, and hemorrhage. Susceptible amphi- bians usually die from chronic cell death in multiple organs, which can occur within a few days fol- lowing infection or may take several weeks. Amphibian species differ in their susceptibility to rana- viruses, which may be related to their co-evolutionary history with the pathogen. The occurrence of recent widespread amphibian population die-offs from ranaviruses may be an interaction of sup- pressed and naïve host immunity, anthropogenic stressors, and novel strain introduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Indigenous Reptiles
    Reptiles Sylvain Ursenbacher info fauna & NLU, Universität Basel pdf can be found: www.ursenbacher.com/teaching/Reptilien_UNIBE_2020.pdf Reptilia: Crocodiles Reptilia: Tuataras Reptilia: turtles Rep2lia: Squamata: snakes Rep2lia: Squamata: amphisbaenians Rep2lia: Squamata: lizards Phylogeny Tetrapoda Synapsida Amniota Lepidosauria Squamata Sauropsida Anapsida Archosauria H4 Phylogeny H5 Chiari et al. BMC Biology 2012, 10:65 Amphibians – reptiles - differences Amphibians Reptiles numerous glands, generally wet, without or with limited number skin without scales of glands, dry, with scales most of them in water, no links with water, reproduction larval stage without a larval stage most of them in water, packed in not in water, hard shell eggs tranparent jelly (leathery or with calk) passive transmission of venom, some species with active venom venom toxic skin as passive protection injection Generally in humide and shady Generally dry and warm habitats areas, nearby or directly in habitats, away from aquatic aquatic habitats habitats no or limited seasonal large seasonal movements migration movements, limited traffic inducing big traffic problems problems H6 First reptiles • first reptiles: about 320-310 millions years ago • embryo is protected against dehydration • ≈ 305 millions years ago: a dryer period ➜ new habitats for reptiles • Mesozoic (252-66 mya): “Age of Reptiles” • large disparition of species: ≈ 252 and 65 millions years ago H7 Mesozoic Quick systematic overview total species CH species (oct 2017) Order Crocodylia (crocodiles)
    [Show full text]
  • Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana Latastei) in Europe
    Strasbourg, 26 October 2006 T-PVS/Inf (2006) 16 [Inf16e_2006.doc] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 26th meeting Strasbourg, 27-30 November 2006 __________ Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana latastei) in Europe Document prepared by Paul Edgar* and David R. Bird *c/o The Herpetological Conservation Trust, 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4AP, UK, E-mail: [email protected] This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2006) 16 - 2 - CONTENTS A. ITALIAN AGILE FROG - SPECIES ACTION PLAN SUMMARY........................................................3 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3 2. Rationale............................................................................................................................................3 3. Objectives ..........................................................................................................................................3 4. Recommended Actions....................................................................................................................4 Table 1: Urgent Priority Actions for the Italian Agile Frog Rana latastei ................................................4 B. ITALIAN AGILE FROG – SPECIES
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix 1 to PRIORITISED ACTION FRAMEWORK (PAF) for NATURA 2000 in SLOVENIA 1
    Appendix 1 to PRIORITISED ACTION FRAMEWORK (PAF) FOR NATURA 2000 in SLOVENIA 1. List of species dependent on grassland habitats (E.2.4) for which Agri-environmental measures Sub-measure 10.1 - Payment of agri-environment-climate commitments in the period 2014-2020 were identified depending on the type of measure Special grassland habitats (HAB): Plants: Marsh gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris), Adriatic lizard orchid (Himantoglossum adriaticum), Liparis loeselii, Pulsatilla grandis, Scilla litardierei, Serratula lycopifolia, Butterflies: Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Large Copper (Lycaena dispar), False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus), Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) Birds: Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor), Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), Wood Lark (Lullula arborea), Common Grasshopper-warbler (Locustella naevia), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Little Crake (Zapornia parva), European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Common Redshank (Tringa tetanus), Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis), Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops), European Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), Eurasian Scops-owl (Otus scops), Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) Molluscs: Congeria kusceri,
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Monitoring of the Endemic Rana Latastei: Suggestions for After-LIFE Management
    Long-term monitoring of the endemic Rana latastei: suggestions for after-LIFE management L UCA C ANOVA and A LESSANDRO B ALESTRIERI Abstract We monitored egg clutch numbers of a popula- loss (Houlahan & Findlay, ; Cushman, ), pollution tion of the endemic Italian agile frog Rana latastei in a (Bridges & Semlitsch, ), disease epidemics and climate Site of Community Interest in northern Italy (SCI IT change (Kiesecker et al., ; Ficetola & Maiorano, ). ) during – with the aim of assessing the As for many other taxa (Menzel et al., ; Thackeray long-term variation in its abundance. We walked along et al., ; Chen et al., ), a shift to earlier breeding as the banks of canals and small ponds (n = ) – times per a result of global warming has been reported for several week between early February and mid-April each year to anuran species (Terhivuo, ; Reading, ; Corn, ; detect egg clutches. The relationships between the start of Tryjanovski et al., ). Shifts are stronger for anurans than the breeding season, yearly egg mass counts, rate of yearly those reported for trees, birds and butterflies (Parmesan, change in the number of recorded egg masses and climat- ), but the consequences of earlier breeding for popula- ic and environmental variables were assessed by multiple re- tion dynamics are still unknown. gression. The first deposition of eggs occurred progressively Neither phenological shifts (Blaustein et al., ), nor later in the year throughout the study period and mean air population decline (Blaustein et al., ; Richter et al., temperature during the breeding season decreased over this ; Stuart et al., ) affect all amphibian populations. period. Agile frogs showed high deposition site-fidelity.
    [Show full text]
  • Italian Agile Frog Tadpoles Can Learn to Evade Crayfish Terror
    © 2021. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Journal of Experimental Biology (2021) 224, jeb242685. doi:10.1242/jeb.242685 INSIDE JEB Italian agile frog tadpoles can learn to evade crayfish terror scrutinised the movies, they found the tadpoles were afraid of the fed dragonfly larvae, freezing ∼80% of the time, while the fasted dragonfly larvae were almost as terrifying for the tadpoles. And when the youngsters did move after catching a whiff of their predator, they wove around more, in a bid to throw off the hunters, and switched course in all directions, to keep an eye out all around. However, the tadpoles were less savvy when Gazzola added eau de crayfish to their water. Only the tadpoles retrieved from a pond where crayfish reside showed any sign of toning down their activity to evade detection. The tadpoles from ponds A 25 day old Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpole. Photo credit: Giovanni Scribano. with few or no crayfish didn’t alter their behaviour much, as if they didn’thavea care in the world. However, when An invader prowls the ponds and rivers of Collecting both predators from nearby Gazzola added a dash of water from the Northern Italy, taking out locals and waterways, Andrea Gazzola fed them on container of fed crayfish to the threatening entire species; can they fight Italian agile frog tadpoles, to make sure youngsters’ home, the developing ’ back? This is not a Hollywood movie; it s that they reeked of danger; predators amphibians became more wary. Even the happening right now in the gentle streams release the alarming aroma of their tadpoles that did not share their home of Lombardy and the chief intruders are dismembered victims in their vicinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Strasbourg, 22 May 2002
    Strasbourg, 21 October 2015 T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 [Inf18e_2015.docx] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 35th meeting Strasbourg, 1-4 December 2015 GROUP OF EXPERTS ON THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES 1-2 July 2015 Bern, Switzerland - NATIONAL REPORTS - Compilation prepared by the Directorate of Democratic Governance / The reports are being circulated in the form and the languages in which they were received by the Secretariat. This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 - 2 – CONTENTS / SOMMAIRE __________ 1. Armenia / Arménie 2. Austria / Autriche 3. Belgium / Belgique 4. Croatia / Croatie 5. Estonia / Estonie 6. France / France 7. Italy /Italie 8. Latvia / Lettonie 9. Liechtenstein / Liechtenstein 10. Malta / Malte 11. Monaco / Monaco 12. The Netherlands / Pays-Bas 13. Poland / Pologne 14. Slovak Republic /République slovaque 15. “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” / L’« ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine » 16. Ukraine - 3 - T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 ARMENIA / ARMENIE NATIONAL REPORT OF REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON NATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES ON THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE COUNTRY AND ITS BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Armenia is a small landlocked mountainous country located in the Southern Caucasus. Forty four percent of the territory of Armenia is a high mountainous area not suitable for inhabitation. The degree of land use is strongly unproportional. The zones under intensive development make 18.2% of the territory of Armenia with concentration of 87.7% of total population.
    [Show full text]
  • Lacerta Viridis) Printed by NBP Printing Office Animals of the World: the European Green Lizard (Lacerta Viridis)
    ● The National Bank of Poland is putting into circulation coins The National Bank of Poland of the “Animals of the World” series depicting the European Green Lizard with the following face values: holds the exclusive right to issue the currency in the Republic of Poland. On 17 April 2009 2 zł – struck in standard finish, in Nordic Gold, In addition to issuing coins and banknotes of general cir- culation, the NBP issues collector coins and banknotes. The is- c o i n s On 21 April 2009 sue of collector items is designed both to commemorate events, 20 zł – struck in proof finish, in silver. anniversaries and well-known personalities and to disseminate knowledge about Polish culture, science and tradition. Since 1996, the NBP has also been issuing occasional Nordic Gold coins of 2 złoty denomination. All coins and banknotes issued by the NBP are legal tender in Poland. COINS ISSUED IN 2009 COINS ISSUED IN 2009 The NBP launched the “Animals of the World” series in 1993. The topic “The European Green Lizard” is the sixteenth item of this series. Information on the schedule of issue and the sale of coins can be found at the websites: www.nbp.pl www.numizmatyka.nbportal.pl AN ima L S O F T H E W O R L D The European Green Lizard The coins have been struck at the Mint of Poland in Warsaw. (Lacerta viridis) Printed by NBP Printing Office Animals of the World: The European Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis) ● The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) belongs to the true to follow, the occurrence of the European green lizard in Poland was of the European green lizard have long tails, which often measure lizards family (Lacertidae) and subfamily Lacertinae.
    [Show full text]
  • Edna Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population
    viruses Technical Note eDNA Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population Claude Miaud 1,* ,Véronique Arnal 1, Marie Poulain 1, Alice Valentini 2 and Tony Dejean 2 1 CEFE, EPHE-PSL, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France; [email protected] (V.A.); [email protected] (M.P.) 2 SPYGEN, 17 Rue du Lac Saint-André, 73370 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France; [email protected] (A.V.); [email protected] (T.D.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +33-(0)4-67-61-33-43 Received: 15 March 2019; Accepted: 4 June 2019; Published: 6 June 2019 Abstract: The early detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms is essential in order to deploy appropriate mitigation measures. Viruses in the Iridoviridae family, such as those in the Ranavirus genus, can infect amphibian species without resulting in mortality or clinical signs, and they can also infect other hosts than amphibian species. Diagnostic techniques allowing the detection of the pathogen outside the period of host die-off would thus be of particular use. In this study, we tested a method using environmental DNA (eDNA) on a population of common frogs (Rana temporaria) known to be affected by a Ranavirus in the southern Alps in France. In six sampling sessions between June and September (the species’ activity period), we collected tissue samples from dead and live frogs (adults and tadpoles), as well as insects (aquatic and terrestrial), sediment, and water. At the beginning of the breeding season in June, one adult was found dead; at the end of July, a mass mortality of tadpoles was observed.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibian Diversity and Nestedness in a Dynamic Floodplain River (Tagliamento, NE-Italy)
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by RERO DOC Digital Library Hydrobiologia (2006) 565:121–133 Ó Springer 2006 R.S.E.W. Leuven, A.M.J. Ragas, A.J.M. Smits & G. van der Velde (eds), Living Rivers: Trends and Challenges in Science and Management DOI 10.1007/s10750-005-1909-3 Amphibian diversity and nestedness in a dynamic floodplain river (Tagliamento, NE-Italy) K. Tockner1,2,*, I. Klaus1, C. Baumgartner3 & J.V. Ward1 1Department of Limnology, EAWAG/ETH, 8600 Du¨bendorf, Switzerland 2Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES), Box AB, Millbrook, 12545 NY, USA 3Alluvial Zone National Park, 2304, Orth/Donau, Austria (*Author for correspondence: E-mail: [email protected]) Key words: braided river, Bufo bufo, conservation, disturbance, indicator species, island, large wood, population, parafluvial pond, Rana latastei, restoration Abstract Amphibian distribution and assemblage structure were investigated along the last morphologically intact river corridor in Central Europe (Tagliamento). Thirteen taxa were identified with Rana latastei and Bufo bufo being the predominant species. In the main study reach, a 2 km2 dynamic island-braided floodplain in the middle section of the river, 130 water bodies were delineated that were situated either in the active floodplain (82 sites) or in the adjacent riparian forest (48 sites). Results demonstrated that the active floodplain increased appreciably the available habitat for amphibians, despite frequent disturbances by floods or droughts. Amphibian richness within a given habitat was significantly correlated with distance from vegetated islands, fish density, and water temperature. In the active floodplain, species distribution was highly predictable, exhibiting nearly perfect nestedness, suggesting that selective colonisation and extinction processes predominated.
    [Show full text]