North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 4, Suppl.1, 2008, pp.S49-S69 [Online: Vol.4, 2008: S03] A preliminary report on the composition and distribution of the herpetofauna in the Lower Prut River Basin (Romania) Alexandru STRUGARIU1 and Iulian GHERGHEL2 1. “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Carol I Blvd. Nr. 20 A, 700506, Iaşi, Romania. E-mail: [email protected] 2. Piatra Neamţ Technical College, Stefan cel Mare Str. Nr. 67, 610101, Piatra Neamţ, Romania E-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Our study focused upon an area for which almost no data regarding the herpetofauna previously existed. The data collected during our preliminary investigations indicate the presence of 7 amphibian species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Bufo viridis, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus) and 7 reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis longissimus and Dolichophis caspius) in the research area. The hybrid Pelophlylax kl. esculentus was also identified in the lower Prut river basin. Most of the identified species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Emys orbicularis, Natrix tessellata and Zamenis longissimus) are now mentioned for the first time in the area. Pelophylax ridibundus, Bufo viridis, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix are the most widespread species in the area while Triturus dobrogicus, Natrix tessellata, Dolichophis caspius and Zamenis longissimus are the rarest species, from a distributional point of view. The most important herpetofaunal areas seem to be the forested sectors and swamps from the center of the region as well as the larger ponds, swamps and artificial canals from the Prut river meadow. Key words: amphibians, reptiles, distribution maps, important herpetofaunal areas, anthropogenic impact. Introduction is probably the least known, from a herpetological faunistic view point. The geographical distribution of the This can also be seen in the national Romanian herpetofauna is far from distribution maps of the amphibians being well known. This fact has been and reptiles of Romania (Fuhn 1960, proven by numerous recent mapping Fuhn & Vancea 1961, Cogălniceanu et efforts which revealed, in large im- al. 2000). The lower Prut river basin is portant regions of Romania and on no exception to this rule. Even more so, several occasions, the existence of compared to other regions of Moldavia, species not having been previously it is probably the area in which the recorded (e.g. Ghira et al. 2002). As distribution of the herpetofauna is mentioned in other publications (e.g. most poorly known. Very scarce data Strugariu et al. 2006 a), Eastern Roma- regarding the distribution of a few nia (the historical region of Moldavia) amphibian and reptile species in the North-West J Zool, 4, Supplement 1, 2008 Oradea, Romania S50 Strugariu, A. & Gherghel, I. area has been previously published by Plateau. The minimum altitude in the area is Fuhn (1960), Fuhn & Vancea (1961), 10 m a.s.l. at the junction of the Prut river with Cogălniceanu et al. (2000) and Covaciu- the Danube while the maximum altitude is 296 m a.s.l. on the Buzanu Hill, in the Marcov et al. (2006a). For example, the Covurlui Plateau. presence of Dolichophis caspius, pre- viously identified in the area for the first time, was reported by us in a previous publication (Strugariu & Gherghel 2007). This species was thought to be extinct in Moldavia (Iftime 2005). Taking into consideration the scarcity of the knowledge regarding herpetofauna distribution in the lower Prut river basin, and the fact that the first step in elaborating effective con- servation plans is to first know the Figure 1. Location of the research area (the lower precise distribution of the herpetofauna Prut river basin) in Romania. (Ghira et al. 2002), the aims of the present paper are: to present the results The vast majority of the ponds, lakes and of a preliminary study on the com- swamps from the area have been drained position and distribution of the during the last two decades. The level of the amphibian and reptile species in the Prut river has decreased significantly due to area (i.), to identify and describe the economic uses which lead to a reduced water most important herpetofaunal areas supply to the remaining ponds, swamps and (ii.) and to identify the main human lakes that have constantly decreased in size. The area from near the Prut river meadow activities which pose a serious threat to mainly comprises agricultural fields and the existence of herpetofauna (iii.) irrigation canals. Swamps, larger lakes and meadow forests are included in the “Prut River Floodplain” Natural Park, which is the Material and Methods only protected area from the region. However, the largest permanent water accumulation is Study area represented by Lake Brateş. In the Covurlui Our study was conducted in the lower Plain and the Covurlui Plateau, deciduous Prut river basin (Fig. 1). The area is located in forests (mostly Quercus sp.) of up to 50 ha and Eastern Romania on a surface of around 2500 temporary ponds formed on the meadows of km2. From an administrative point of view, it the Prut river tributaries appear isolated. occupies the Eastern half of Galaţi County and Robinia pseudoacacia plantations grown and a small part in the South-East of Vaslui managed by the forestry departments are also County. The area is located between the Prut present. However, agricultural fields river (to the East), and the Covurlui Plain and represent the main land use in the area. Plateau (to the West), occupying the minor and major Prut river meadow (in the border Study methods area with the Republic of Moldova) and Our survey was conducted during the certain regions of the Covurlui Plain and spring of 2007, between late March and early North-West J Zool, 4, Suppl. 1, 2008 Composition and distribution of the herpetofauna in the Lower Prut River Basin (Romania) S51 May. 2-4 visits per site were made for areas also present in the area. A total of 338 inside and adjacent to the “Lower Prut locality records were identified for Floodplain” Natural Park and only one visit herpetofauna distribution in the 56 per site was allocated for the other areas of the lower Prut river basin. The investigated areas investigated field localities. Of these, were surveyed using the transects method 326 are new localities for Romanian (Cogălniceanu 1997). Animals were either herpetofauna. The distribution of directly observed or captured by hand or with herpetofauna in the area is shown in the help of a catch net. All captured animals Figs 2-3 and in Table 1. Most of these were released back into their habitats after species have now been documented for they were identified and, in some cases, photographed. Identification of dead animals, the first time in the research area. Only mostly killed by local people, also played an 3 amphibian species (Bombina bombina, important role in establishing the composition Bufo viridis and Pelophylax ridibundus) of the herpetofauna in some regions. Some of and 4 reptile species (Lacerta agilis, the animals found dead were collected and Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix and Dolicho- preserved in alcohol (these are now in the personal collection of Al. Strugariu). The phis caspius) had been previously hybrids (individuals of Pelophylax kl. identified in the area (Fuhn 1960, Fuhn esculentus) were determined by the morpho- & Vancea 1961, Cogălniceanu et al. logical and chromatic characteristics indicated 2000, Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2006 a, in the literature (see in Berger 1966, 1973, Strugariu & Gherghel 2007). Cogălniceanu et al. 2000, Csata 1998, Fuhn 1960). Distribution maps were drawn using the Triturus dobrogicus (Kiritzescu, UTM technique (Lehrer & Lehrer 1990) with 5 1903). The danube crested newt is now X 5 km quadrates. A list of the localities recorded for the first time in Romanian nearest to where we have identified each Moldavia. However, it has been amphibian or reptile species was also made previously identified in the Prut river (Tab. 1). basin, in the Republic of Moldova, in the locality of Cagul (Litvinchuk et al. 1995). Specimens of Triturus cristatus Results and Discussion wich presented certain features charateristic for Triturus dobrogicus Species account were recorded in Romanian Moldavia The results of our preliminary by several authors (see in Fuhn 1960, survey indicate the presence of 7 Strugariu et al. – this volume). The amphibian species: Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, danube crested newt is a very rare Bufo viridis, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla species in the lower Prut river basin, arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus and 7 being recorded by us in only 4 localities species of reptiles: Emys orbicularis, (Fig. 2, Tab. 1). It inhabits medium Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix sized swamps and irigation canals with natrix, Natrix tessellata, Dolichophis luxuriant vegetation (Tab. 2, Fig. A-B). caspius and Zamenis longissimus in the Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758). lower Prut river basin. Along these, The smooth newt is more widespread the hybrid Pelophylax kl. esculentus is than the previous species (Fig. 2, Tab.1) North-West J Zool, 4, Suppl. 1, 2008 Table 1. Locality records for the amphibian and reptile species in the lower Prut River Basin. (GL = Galaţi County, VS = Vaslui County, T.d. = Triturus dobrogicus; Lt.v. = Lissotriton vulgaris ; B.b. = Bombina bombina ; H.a. = Hyla arborea ; Bf.v. = Bufo viridis; P.f. = Pelobates fuscus; P.r. = Pelophylax ridibundus; P.e. = Pelophylax kl. esculentus; E.o.= Emys orbicularis; L.v. = Lacerta viridis; L.a. = Lacerta agilis; N.n. = Natrix natrix; N.t. = Natrix tessellata; D.c. = Dolichophis caspius; Z.l.= Zamenis longissimus) (X = Localities in which we identified the species for the first time; S = Localities in which we reconfirmed the presence of the species; O = Localities in which the species was previously mentioned but the data is not reconfirmed by us; Σ = The sum of localities) Species → County T.d.