Hyla2014 no2

Vol. 2014., No 2., prosinac 2014.

herpetological bulletin

Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo

Hyla herpetološki bilten herpetological bulletin Vol. 2014., No 2.

urednik/editor: dr. sc. Dušan Jelić

Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - HYLA Croatian Herpetological Society - HYLA

Zagreb, SURVLQDF 2014.

Impressum HYLA, HERPETOLOGICAL BULLETIN Ključni naslov: Hyla (Zagreb) Skraćeni ključni naslov: Hyla (Zagreb) Naslovna fotografija: Raorchestes tuberohumerus (Vipin Baliga, India) Izdavač/Publisher: Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - HYLA Croatian Herpetological Society - HYLA, Lipovac I., br. 7, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia Urednik/Editor: dr. sc. Dušan Jelić, jelic.dusan@gmail.com Urednički odbor/Editorial board: dr. sc. Dušan Jelić, Croatia Toni Koren, Croatia dr. sc. Biljana Janev Hutinec, Croatia dr. sc. Ljiljana Tomović, Serbia dr. sc. Tomislav Bogdanović, Croatia dr. sc. Duje Lisičić, Croatia dr. sc. Konrad Mebert, Switzerland David Bird, UK Ivona Burić, Croatia ISSN: 1848-2007

Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - HYLA Croatian Herpetological Society - HYLA

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2 ISSN: 1848-2007

Sadržaj: Contents: O HHD HYLA / About HHD HYLA ………………………………….……………….…… 1 ŠUNJE, E., ZIMIĆ, A., STJEPANOVIĆ, B., JUSIĆ, B., ČENGIĆ, M., BRADARIĆ, M. & MERDAN, S. ̶ Biodiversity of herpetofauna of the Prenj and Čvrsnica Mts. (Bosnia and Herzegovina)................................................................................................................. 4 ŠUNJE, E. & JELIĆ D.

̶

Distribution and conservation of Dalmatolacerta oxycephala

(Duméril & Bibron, 1839) in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina…………..…… 20 PRATIHAR, S. ̶ Threatened species of Bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura) in India…..................................................................................................................... 34 IKOVIĆ, V., KRASIĆ, M. & GVOZDENOVIĆ, S. ̶ A record of melanistic viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Squamata, Lacertidae) on Prokletije Mountain, Montenegro.................................................................................................................. 41 GVOZDENOVIĆ, S. & IKOVIĆ, V. ̶ Egg incubation period in the Hermann’s tortoise Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Testudines, Cryptodira, Testudinidae)................................ 45 STOŠIĆ, J. ̶ The first record of a melanistic Eastern Green Lizard, Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Lacertidae), in Croatia..................................................... 47

O HHD – HYLA Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo – Hyla osnovano je 1997. godine pod imenom "Društvo za zaštitu i proučavanje vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske-Hyla". Osnovano je od strane biologa i zaljubljenika u vodozemce i gmazove zbog potrebe zaštite ovih životinja koje su često i bezrazložno proganjane i ubijane. Također se pojavila potreba za zaštitom ekosustava i mnogih staništa na kojima obitavaju ove, ali i ostale skupine životinja.

Društvo je 2004. preimenovano u današnji naziv te sa razvila unutrašnja infrastruktura u vidu web stranice (www.hyla.hr) i mailing liste koje održavaju povezanost članova i mreže regionalnih i lokalnih udruga i organizacija partnera. Društvo je registrirano kao strukovna organizacija te je većina članova biološke struke. Međutim, otvoreni smo za sve koje zanima zaštita i proučavanje hrvatske herpetofaune (vodozemaca i gmazova) i staništa.

HHD-Hyla je punopravna članica IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), najstarije i najveće međunarodne mreže za zaštitu prirode koja pod svojim okriljem okuplja više od 1000 članica - nevladinih i državnih organizacija - u više od 160 zemalja širom svijeta.

HHD-Hyla je od 2012. članica udruženja udruga Hrvatski institut za biološku raznolikost HIB zajedno sa svojim partnerima Udrugom za biološka istraživanja – BIOM, Hrvatskim društvom za biološka istraživanja HDBI i Hrvatskim mirmekološkim društvom HMD. Projekti i aktivnosti usmjereni su na istraživanja te zaštitu vrsta i staništa, edukaciju lokalnog stanovništva i šire javnosti (u sklopu projekata ali i zasebna predavanja i radionice), edukaciju studenata te izdavanje publikacija i ostalog edukativnog materijala. Društvo je aktivno na nacionalnoj razini te provodimo projekte u raznim dijelovima Hrvatske uz suradnju s državnim i lokalnim institucijama, udrugama, stručnjacima u zemlji i inozemstvu, školama te lokalnim stanovništvom.

KONTAKT Poštanski pretinac: Lipovac I., br. 7, HR-10000 Zagreb Telefon: 01/2348279 (ured) e-mail: info@hhdhyla.hr http://www.hhdhyla.hr

1

About HHD - HYLA Croatian Herpetological Society - Hyla was founded in 1997 under the name "Society for the protection and study of amphibians and reptiles in Croatia-Hyla". It was established by the biologists and nature enthusiasts because of the need to protect amphibians and reptiles which are often unduly persecuted and killed. The need for protection of ecosystems and many habitats, on which this and other groups of animals reside, also occured.

In 2004 Society was renamed to its present name and we developed an infrastructure, web site (www.hyla.hr) and mailing list, through which we maintain cohesion between members and a network of regional and local NGOs and partner organizations. Society is registered as a professional organization, and the majority of our members are biologists. However, we are open to all people interested in research and conservation of Croatian herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) and habitats.

HHD-Hyla is a full member of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the oldest and largest international network for the protection of nature, with more than 1000 members - government and non-government organizations - in over 160 countries around the world.

HHD-Hyla is since 2012 a full member and the founding party of the Croatian Instiute for Biodiversity CIB together with its partners Association for Biological Research – BIOM, Croatian Biodiversity Research Society HDBI and Croatian Mirmecological Society HMD. Projects and activities are focused on research and protection of species and habitats, education of the local inhabitants and public (during the projects, as well as separate lectures and workshops), training of students and publishing of the various scientific, professional and educational materials. Society is active at the national level and implements projects in different parts of the Croatia in cooperation with national and local institutions, NGOs, national and international experts and scientists, schools and local inhabitants.

CONTACT Address: Lipovac I., no. 7, HR-10000 Zagreb Telephone: 01/2348279 (office) e-mail: info@hhdhyla.hr http://www.hhdhyla.hr

2

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2 ISSN: 1848-2007

3

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Biodiversity of herpetofauna of the Prenj and Čvrsnica Mts. (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Bioraznolikost herpetofaune planina Prenj i Čvrsnica (Bosna i Hercegovina) EMINA ŠUNJE*1, ADNAN ZIMIĆ1, BORIS STJEPANOVIĆ1, BENJAMIN JUSIĆ1, MIRZA ČENGIĆ1, MAJA BRADARIĆ1, SAUDIN MERDAN1 1

Herpetological Association in Bosnia and Hercegovina ATRA, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina; *Corresponding author: sunje.emina@gmail.com

Abstract Herpetological research of the Prenj and Čvrsnica mountains has a relatively long tradition, but not enough scientific attention was devoted to them. Literature data on herpetofauna of Prenj and Čvrsnica is old, sporadic and rare. The aim of this research was to collect all data on the herpetofauna for the given mountains and determine the importance of the area for the herpetofaunal biodiversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B-H). The analysis of data showed that the area of Prenj and Čvrsnica is inhabited by 11 species of amphibians (55 % of the total number of amphibians in B-H) and 24 species of reptiles (83% of the total number of reptiles in B-H) which differ in vertical and horizontal distribution. The registered biodiversity is extremely high and is a consequence of the geographical position of these mountains which border the Mediterranean climate zone in B-H. Key words: distribution, submediterranean, amphibians, reptiles, biodiversity.

Sažetak Herpetološka istraživanja planina Prenj i Čvrsnica imaju relativno dugu tradiciju, no znanje o njima još uvijek nije zadovoljavajuće. Literaturni podaci o herpetofauni Prenja i Čvrsnice su stari, sporadični i rijetki. Cilj istraživanja bio je prikupiti sve dostupne podatke o herpetofauni navedenih planina i odrediti važnost područja za bioraznolikost herpetofaune Bosne i Hercegovine (BiH). Analiza podataka je pokazala da na Prenju i Čvrsnici živi 11 vrsta vodozemaca (55 % od ukupnog broja vodozemaca u BiH) i 24 vrste gmazova (83% od ukupnog broja gmazova u BiH) te da se razlikuju po vertikalnoj i horizontalnoj distribuciji. Opažena je izuzetno visoka bioraznolikost koja je posljedica zemljopisnog položaja planina koje graniče sa mediteranskom klimatskom zonom u BiH. Ključne riječi: rasprostranjenost, submediteran, vodozemci, gmazovi, bioraznolikost.

INTRODUCTION Research of herpetofauna in Bosnia and

there are 20 species of amphibians and 29 species

Herzegovina (B-H) has been conducted since the

of reptiles (Lelo et al. 2014, Jablonski et al. 2012)

Ottoman

known from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This group

and

Austro-

Hungarian

periods

(Möellendorff, 1873). Nevertheless, data about

of

animals

is

essential

for

proper

energy

amphibians and reptiles exist only for about 51% of

distribution in food webs (Alford et al. 2001, Lelo

the total territory, while the other 49% remains

2012). Considering their physiological sensitivity,

completely unsurveyed (Čengić 2013). Currently

they are also known as ecosystem bioindicators 4

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

(Collins & Storfer 2003); based on their abundance

A coniferous and deciduous forest belt

and diversity, the quality and condition of an

covers the lower altitude zones of these mountains.

environment can be estimated.

The highest floristic diversity is expressed in plant communities that are in direct contact with

Prenj is one of the highest mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 11 peaks higher than 2000 meters above sea level (highest peak: Zelena glava – 2155 m). This mountain begins near Glavatičevo on the Neretva river, upstream of Konjic, and it extends as far as Bijelo Polje near Mostar. Prenj was formed in the Mesozoic era and

limestone, whether in rock cracks (class Asplinietea trichomanis),

Čvrsnica mountain is situated in the northern part of Herzegovina. The most populated places are the city of Jablanica on the northeastern side, and Posušje and Tomislavgrad in the southwest. The highest peak Pločno is located 2229 meters above sea level, and is the third highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Čvrsnica is a part of the “Nature Park Blidinje“, and greatly resembles Prenj

screes

(class

Thlaspietea

rotundifolii and Drypetea spinosae). Alpine and subalpine grasslands are represented by the class Elyno–Seslerietea, while rocky grasslands are characterized with the class Thero–Brachypodietea (Redžić et al. 2010.)

is characterized by a special type of dolomitic karst and limestone (Lepirica 2008).

or

Prenj

and

Čvrsnica

mountains

are

positioned in the area of B-H where two distinct climate zones meet each other: the continental and the

Mediterranean,

therefore,

they

represent

distribution borders for many amphibians and reptiles. The main objective of this paper was to collect all the herpetofauna data of the wide area of the mountains Prenj and Čvrsnica, as well as to determine

their

significance

for

the

overall

biodiversity of B-H herpetofauna.

in its geology and morphology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS Data about the herpetofauna of Prenj and

(2001), Muftić (2003), Dragobratović (2007), Šunje

Čvrsnica Mts. was collected sporadically from 2004

& Lelo (2008, 2010), Lelo et al. (2008, 2015), Jelić

to 2014. Field research was carried out on two

& Lelo (2009), Šunje (2011), Jelić et al. (2011,

mountain ecosystems: Mt. Čvrsnica and Mt. Prenj,

2012a), Jablonski et al., (2012), Lelo (2005, 2015).

and their wider area (Fig. 1). A total of 110

In the collection of the National Museum

localities were visited. Individual animals at the

in Sarajevo a total of four species records were

point of capture were identified, photographed and

found for the areas of interest. Based on collected

released safely afterwards in their environment.

and literature data, as well as the few records from

Literature data about the herpetofauna of the area was found in the following publications: Möllendorff (1873), Werner (1897, 1898, 1899, 1904, 1905, 1907), Karaman (1921), Bolkay (1924, 1928), Buresch & Zonkow (1932), Bolkay & Ćurčić (1920, 1933), Radovanović (1941, 1951);

the National Museum in Sarajevo, a database of 458 individual herpetological records was created.

Identification of the species was conducted according to Arnold et al. (1992) and Lelo (2007).

The taxonomy follows Speybroeck et al. (2010) and Frost (2014).

Pavletić (1964), Dimovski (1966), Mikšić (1970), Džukić (1972), Đurović

(1987), Denoel et al.

5

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Figure 1. Position of the study area of the Prenj and Čvrsnica Mts. with the locations visited Slika 1. Smještaj istraživanog područja planina Prenja i Čvrsnice s naznačenim istraženim lokacijama

The locations were divided into four main categories respectively: (A) Mt. Prenj, (B) Mt. Čvrsnica; (C) Neretva river - bordering zones between the two mountains, (D) Wider area of Mt. Prenj. In within the categories, locations were divided according to their altitude and main city of the area with its surroundings (see Appendix 1).

The northernmost points of the research area are Vrtaljice and Gračac, the easternmost point is Kruševac. The southernmost point is north of the village of Potoci.

The westernmost point is

Vitrenjača.

ordered after the “;” signs which individually separate the locations. If the locations are separated by ”,”, this indicates that they are registered on the same date. For a significant number of species some locations are repeated more than once which is why we only give the latest date of the record, for an easier presentation of the results. For species that were recorded only in the literature, we presented the original date of sampling/observation of the species. Repeated (old) records transmitted in newer literature were not taken into consideration when the date of such species is already presented in the table. Dates listed in italic denote museum

All species records are shown in Table 1.

specimens.

Location codes for the table are given in Appendix 1. In Table 1 the locations can be separated by “,” or by “;”. The dates of the records are respectively A total of 11 species of amphibians and 24 species of reptiles were recorded in the surveyed

RESULTS although 55.6 % of records used originated from both literature and museum data (Fig. 2).

area (Table 1), comprising 55 % and 82.7 % of the

Localities that have shown the highest

total herpetofauna species in B-H, respectively. The

level of biodiversity are the following: B2e – 16: 12

paper provides photographs of the most interesting

registered species; A2m – 10: 10 species B2b – 13:

records, mostly including NATURA 2000 species

eight species; and A2k – 14: eight species. With 20

and species listed in the local Red list (Fig. 3).

species records belonging to 14 species, the locality

About 44.4 % of data presented in this paper was collected during the field work and

A2e and its surroundings showed the highest level of biodiversity.

represents the largest source of information, 6

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

The

species

Elaphe

quatuorlineata

Overview of data

(Lacepède, 1789), Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti,

A small number of actual sightings by

1768), Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758, Malpolon

earlier

insignitus

1809),

publications over time: these repeated records give

Platyceps najadum (Eichwald, 1831), Telescopus

the impression that there are many more records

fallax Fleischmann, 1831, Zamenis longissimus

than the original records actually show. The

(Laurenti,

mosorensis

significance of field data, although smaller in

Algyroides

number, is greater in revealing new localities. An

nigropunctatus (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) are

example can be shown through A. nigropunctatus,

confirmed for the first time on Mt. Prenj through

which is mentioned only for location Jablanica in

this work. The species Salamandra salamandra

three literature sources (Bolkay 1924, 1928,

(Linnaeus, 1758), Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768),

Dimovski 1966), while our field investigations

H. gemonensis, L. agilis and Natrix natrix

confirmed that the species occurs also in the areas

(Linnaeus, 1758) are for the first time reported for

of Diva Grabovica, Crno Vrelo and Glavatičevo.

(Geoffroy

1768),

(Kolombatović,

De

St-Hilaire,

Dinarolacerta 1886)

and

Mt. Čvrsnica.

authors

are

often

cited

in

various

Therefore, 58% of new records for Mt.

The northernmost point of distribution for

Prenj are field data. For Mt. Čvrsnica, literature

H. gemonensis and Pseudopus apodus were

data (55%) contributed slightly more than field

identified and further discussed.

records.

The data for Lacerta trilineata Bedriaga, 1886 for the area of Konjic (A3b location), inferred

DISCUSSION

from a museum specimen, seem to be incorrect

None of these observations are the result of

since it represents a locality too far north for the

a systematic sampling scheme for the purpose of

species distribution. Our opinion is that it might

this paper; therefore some conclusions presented

have been confused with Lacerta viridis (Laurenti,

could be derived from the preferences of the

1768) since we believe that L. trilineata Bedriaga,

authors to visit certain localities more often than

1886 is not expected to occur on Mt. Prenj. It is

others. The research area borders with the

possible that incorrect determination was carried

Mediterranean region of B-H, and it represents the

out based on old museum material, and the

marginal climate zone which limits the distribution

identification needs to be confirmed.

of some Mediterranean (sub)species. Distribution of

Most of the data for the region originates

amphibians in B-H is largely influenced by the

from the early 19th century. The interest in the

temperate climate that comes from the central parts

research and publication of herpetological data has

of Europe, while the Mediterranean climate plays a

increased considerably in the last 20 years.

key role in defining the distribution of reptiles

Literature data is nevertheless very scarce: from

(Jablonski et al. 2012). This fact explains why some

1980 to 1999 there have been only five publications

Mediterranean species are found in the area under

dealing with the herpetofauna of the area. This is

investigation, therefore increasing the total number

probably due to the (post)war period which limited

of reptile species that occur there.

scientific activities.

7

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Original Scientific Paper

ISSN: 1848-2007

Ĺ unje et al. 2014

Figure 2. Number of literature and field records from the study area over a period of 141 years.

Slika 2. Broj literaturnih i terenskih nalaza s istraĹživanog podruÄ?ja u period od 141 godine.

Figure 3. Photographs of some rare, NATURA 2000 species (*) and species from the local Red List (*): a) S. atra prenjensis; b) R. graeca; c) P. najadum dahlii; d) D. mosorensis; e) B. variegata; f) H. gemonensis (the northernmost finding); g) E. quatuorlineata; h) V. berus bosniensis; i) A. nigropunctatus.

Slika 3. Fotografije nekih rijetkih NATURA 2000 vrsta (*) i vrsta sa lokalnog Crvenog popisa (*): a) S. atra prenjensis; b) R. graeca; c) P. najadum dahlii; d) D. mosorensis; e) B. variegata; f) H. gemonensis (the northernmost finding); g) E. quatuorlineata; h) V. berus bosniensis; i) A. nigropunctatus.

8

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Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Table 1. List of species found in the investigated area; * indicates questionable records. Codes for locations are given in the Appendix I. Tablica 1. Popis vrsta zabilježenih u istraživanome području; * ukazuje na upitne nalaze. Šifre lokacija dati su u Appendixu I. No.

Species

1.

Salamandra atra

2.

Salamandra salamandra

3.

Lissotriton vulgaris

4.

Ichthyosaura alpestris

5.

Bombina variegata

6.

Bufo bufo

7.

Bufotes viridis

8.

Hyla arborea

9.

Rana dalmatina

10.

Rana graeca

Prenj field data

Date

Prenj lit. data

A1:a,b,e,g,j,n,p,w

July 2013

A1:k,l,m,o, A2b, A1f

A2e

Aug. 2012

A2c, Ca A2f, C

Reference Šunje & Lelo (2010), Bolkay (1924) Šunje & Lelo (2008), Bolkay (1928) Bolkay (1924), Bolkay (1928)

Čvrsnica field data

Date

Čvrsnica lit. data

Reference

B1:a,d,e,f

Aug. 2013

B1k

Šunje & Lelo (2010)

B2b; B2

Oct.2010, feb, 2010

July 2013, Sep. 2008

B2i; B3g

Đurović (1987), Radovanović (1941) Radovanović (1941), Bolkay (1928), Lelo et. al (2014)

A1v, A2i, A2d,

June 2014, Sep. 2008

A1w

Bolkay (1924)

B1:a, b, h; B1c,B2l

A2:e, y, A2m

Aug. 2012, July 2005

A2c, A3:g,b, A2: n, ž, a

(1929), Bolkay (1924), Lelo et. al (2015)

B2b; B2:p, m

June 2006, May 2007

B3g; C: a,b; B2:c,d,n,o, B3c, Ch;

A1v, A1u,

Sep. 2014, May 2005

A3b

Bolkay (1924)

B1a

Aug. 2013

Ca

Bolkay (1928)

A2a, A2z

(Aug. 1971, (May 1971)

A1v

Aug. 2013

Ci, A2n

A2e, A1a, A2n

Aug. 2012, Aug. 2013, June 2013

A3b, A3f, Ca

A2:e,y, A2v

Aug. 2012, July 2013

A3b, B2p, A2c, Ca

Dragobratović (2007), Lelo et. al (2015) Bolkay (1924), Lelo et. al (2015), Bolkay (1928) Lelo et. al (2015), Radovanović

B1g

Aug. 2013p

B3g, Ca; Ci

Radovanović (1941), Dragobratović (2007)

B2m; B3g;

June 2006, may, 2007

B1i, B3c

Bolkay (1924)

9

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Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

No.

Species

11.

Pelophylax ridibunudus

12.

Podarcis melisellensis

13.

Podarcis muralis

14.

15.

Pseudopus apodus Lacerta trilineata*

16.

Lacerta agilis

Prenj field data

Date

Prenj lit. data

A3b, Ca,Cb, A2e, A2u

A2e;

A2e; A2a; A2i; A3a Db

Aug. 2012, Aug. 2012, June 2006, Apr. 2005, Mar. 2013 June 2014

Reference

Čvrsnica field data

Date

(1941), Bolkay (1924) Bolkay (1924), Bolkay (1928), Lelo et. al (2015), Šunje & Lelo (2008)

Čvrsnica lit. data

Reference

B2:b,c,d, e,l,q

Lelo et al.

(2015)

A3g, A2c

Bolkay (1924), Lelo (2015)

B2m, B2b, B2f

June 2006, Mar. 2013, May 2006

B3g, B3a

Bolkay (1924)

A2n, Ce

Lelo (2015), Jablonski et. al (2012)

B2m, B2f

June 2006, May 2006

B2:c,d,e,q, B3g

Bolkay (2014)

A3b*

(Sep. 1914) B1: a,e,g,f,d,

Aug. 2012

A2o, A1d; A2a, A1: c,v,x,e,g,u,p,j; A2d

Aug. 2005, July 2013, May 2006 Aug. 2012, Jun. 2013, Mar. 2013, Apr. 2006, Apr. 2005, Oct. 2004

A2e, C: a,b

Bolkay (1924), Bolkay (1928)

B2b

Aug. 2012

B2: c,d,q; Cc; B3g

Lelo et al.

(2015); Bolkay (1924); Werner (1904)

A2e, A3g

(May 1922), Lelo (2015)

B2:a,b, B2f, B2m

July 2013, May 2014, June 2006

B3d

Bolkay (1924)

B2a, B2b

Apr. 2013, Apr. 2006

B3a; B3g;

Werner (1904), Dimovski (1966);

17.

Lacerta viridis

A2: e,c, w; A2: a,n,c, A1c; A3a; A2k; A2i; A2g

18.

Dalmatolacerta oxycephala

A2x

Aug. 2012

19.

Dinarolacerta mosorensis

A2aa

Aug. 2012

20.

Algyroides nigropunctatus

21.

Zootoca vivipara

A2c

Apr. 2013, A1 (no

Bolkay (1924) 10

Original Scientific Paper

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ISSN: 1848-2007

No.

Species

Prenj field data

Date

Reference

Čvrsnica field data

Date

Čvrsnica lit. data

Reference

A2c, Ca

Lelo (2015), Bolkay (1928)

B2b,

July 2006

B2q; B3g

Lelo et al.

(2015); Bolkay (1924)

A3g

Lelo (2005)

A2f, A3g, Ca

Werner (1898), Lelo (2015) Bolkay (1928)

B2h; B2b

June2009, Apr. 2006

B3g

Lelo et. al (2015)

C:a,b

Bolkay (1928)

B2f; B2m; B2g

May 2006, June 2006, July2013

B2m

June 2006

B2b

Jelić et Lelo (2011)

Prenj lit. data concrete locality)

24.

Coronella austriaca

A2k; A2: dž, š; A2: a,n, A3a

25.

Zamenis longissimus

A2a; A2:k,g; A2n; A3a;

26.

Elaphe quatuorlineata

27.

28.

Telescopus fallax Malpolon insignitus

A2m A2k

Sep. 2004, Aug. 2012, July 2013, Aug. 2005, May 2013 June 2005, Apr. 2006 July 2005, May 2003, June 2013, Mar. 2013 June 2014, Apr. June 2005, July 2009, Mar. 2009 June 2005, Aug. 2008 June 2009 Aug. 2010

29.

Hierophis gemonensis

A2k

Apr. 2006

30.

Platyceps najadum

A2m

May 2005

Da

31.

Natrix tessellata

A2m; A2e, A2lj

May 2005, Aug. 2012

A3e, A2ć, Cb, Cf, Ce

22.

Angius fragilis

23.

Testudo hermanni

A2d; A2e;A1aa; A2g; A3a

A2m; A2k

A2m; A2k

Radovanović (1951) Jelić et Lelo (2011); Jablonski et al (2012)

11

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Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Diversity of herpetofauna of Mts. Prenj and

found on Mt. Prenj in respect to 66% of the

Čvrsnica and (un)expected species

expected species for Mt. Čvrsnica.

The absence of Testudo hermanni, P.

All expected species of amphibians in the research area were registered. Rana temporaria does not occupy the (sub)mediterranean regions of the Balkan Peninsula (according to Kuzmin et al.

2009, Lelo et al. 2014), and is not expected in the study area. When it comes to reptiles, the expected species to be found at lower altitudes of the overall area (e.g. valley of Neretva river) are the pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque, 1810). Taking into consideration that data for L. trilineata on Mt. Prenj is incorrect (see previous section), this changes the overall registered number of reptile species on Mt. Prenj from 22 to 21. Distribution of unexpected reptiles for the overall area can be further discussed: the possibility of finding Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the leopard snake, Zamenis situla (Linnaeus, 1758), is questionable because their northernmost distribution is the area of Mostar (personal observations of the authors).

apodus,

L.

trilineata,

P.

najadum,

E.

quatuorlineata, T. falax on Mt. Čvrsnica is expected, given that these are (sub)mediteranean species. Collected data have also shown the absence of P. siculus, D. mosorensis and Zootoca vivipara on Mt. Čvrsnica, therefore more field research is needed to confirm the true distribution of these species. D. mosorensis is the true representative of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian karst, and is present at altitudes above 1000 m (Radovanović 1951), therefore the area of Mt. Čvrsnica represents a potentially

suitable

habitat

for

this

species.

Amphibians that are not yet recorded on Čvrsnica are Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), Hyla arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) and Rana dalmatina (Bonaparte, 1840). Locations on Mt. Čvrsnica were mostly visited in late summer, when conditions for finding amphibians are not ideal mostly because the humidity is lower. More field research is required in order to ascertain the presence of these species

A higher percentage of diversity registered on Mt. Prenj can be explained by two facts: Mt.

on Mt. Čvrsnica, especially at lower altitudes in humid areas of deciduous forests.

Prenj is more than twice the size (463 km2) of Mt. Čvrsnica (190 km2). The other fact is the geographic position of the mountains: the southeastern and north-western areas of Mt. Prenj are almost fully adjacent to the Mediterranean climate zone, while the area of Mt. Čvrsnica is significantly smaller and borders with the continental part of BH in the north-west, whereas the NW side of Prenj face the Neretva river. Areas of Mt. Čvrsnica that are suitable habitat for a small number of (sub)mediterranean species are Diva Grabovica and Drežnica. On these locations several Mediterranean species were recorded (Podarcis melisellensis, A. nigropunctatus, Dalmatolacerta oxycephala and H. gemonensis).

On Mt. Prenj Vipera ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835) and Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) were not found. It is very likely that V. berus inhabits the given area, but neither field nor literature data exist to prove this. The presence of Vipera ursinii macrops

(Méhley,

questionable,

given

1911) that

on

Mt. the

Prenj

is

convenient

microhabitat with specific microclimate that can support survival of this species was not found during the field research. Since all three venomous snakes inhabit Mt. Čvrsnica, it can be argued that this is the third area ever recorded where the three venomous snakes (V. ammodytes, V. berus and V.ursinii) coexist together in the Balkans. These areas are also found on Mt. Troglav and Mt.

About 94% of all expected species are 12

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Zelengora (Jelić et al. 2013) in B-H. The absence of

For (sub)mediterranean species and their

field data on Mt. Prenj for L. trilineata is expected

respective sightings: M. insignitus – road to Rujište,

since our opinion is that this area does not meet the

P. najadum – Mostarska bijela, T. fallax – Diva

conditions required for this species to survive.

Grabovica and E. quatuorlineata – Mostarska

Neimarlija & Merdan (2012) report the possibility

bijela, could represent northernmost points of

of finding P. siculus on Mt. Prenj on slopes in the

distribution for these species since, so far, little is

area of lake Boračko. Additional field studies are

known about their distribution in general.

If data for P. siculus in the area of Boračko

needed to confirm this.

lake (Neimarlija & Merdan 2012), could be Species

for

represents

which the

the

investigated

northernmost

point

area of

confirmed, this would represent the northernmost point of distribution for this species.

distribution The Karst or Dalmatian Wall lizard –

Important biodiversity hotspots

Podarcis melisellensis, is a species distributed in

Localities that have shown the highest

southern B-H and is very rare in Bosnia, but is a

level

common species in Herzegovina (Lelo 2015). The

Grabovica, Drežnica, Mostarska bijela, the road to

area around Konjic (more precisely, river Ljuta) is

Rujište from Kruševac and Boračko) represent very

considered to be its most northern habitat in B-H

important biodiversity hotspots due to intense

(Lelo 2015). Data from the National Museum in

Mediterranean influence for these areas.

of

herpetological

biodiversity

(Diva

Sarajevo shows the presence of the karst lizard in

During the last ice age, the study area

the areas of Mt. Ravna, Mt. Borja and a road

represented a refugia (Redžić et al. 2010) which

Bistrica-Borje (near Pale), but this is most likely a

explains the remarkable biodiversity registered.

case of incorrect identification.

Glacial refugia are also known to be speciation

H. gemonensis is poorly studied in B-H,

centres (Tarkhnishvili et al. 2012), that have

and literature data is scarce. During field research, a

contributed to a constant evolutionary development

dead on road individual was found between

that manifested great morphological and ethological

Jablanica and Sovići (Fig. 3f), which represents the

variations within species, that resulted in the

northernmost locality of this species in B-H so far.

description of a large number of subspecies for

This species is typical for the Adriatic coast

almost all listed species in this paper (see: Džukić

(Lymberakis & Ajtic 2009), and prefers dry, rocky

& Kalezić 2004; Jelić et al. 2012b). The subspecies

areas, bushy terrain, overgrown ruins, sparse woods

status of many of them still remains unresolved. To

and low underbrush and roadsides (Arnold &

fully resolve the taxonomic disagreements it is

Ovenden 2002).

mandatory to conduct additional environmental,

Data for P. apodus for the location of

ecological and phylogenetic studies.

Potoci could be the northernmost point of

According to the results presented here, the

distribution for the species although data given by

herpetological biodiversity of Mt. Prenj and Mt.

Stanković (2013) indicates that the species could be

Čvrsnica is high and specific. This study confirmed

found further north, in the area of Kupreško polje

the presence of 12 additional species to 23 already

but this must be investigated further, since a lot of

known inhabiting the area, which makes a total of

data from that paper is unreliable.

35 species of herpetofauna. Due to the high

13

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 4 - 19 ISSN: 1848-2007

diversity that has been registered, the research area must be protected from high anthropogenic pressures in order to ensure that undisturbed survival of the species present is an ongoing priority.

Threats to the herpetofauna of the area While the surveyed area still remains mostly in its natural state, there are several possible threats to the amphibian and reptile diversity. Along the study area there are four active hydro-electric power plants with associated dams and one quarry.

The actual building of the highway: “Corridor 5c” from the north, as well as activities directed towards oil extraction in the area of Drežnica, would be devastating. Because of the vulnerability of these areas, it is of utmost importance to protect them.

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Appendix I. List of localities visited along with their codes and coordinates presented in the WGS84 coordinate system.

Appendix I. Popis posjećenih lokacija zajedno sa kodovima i kordinatama danim u WGS84 kordinatnom sustavu.

No.

Code

25.

26.

37.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

A1 A1a A1b A1c A1d A1e A1f A1g A1h A1i A1j A1k A1l A1m A1n A1o A1p A1q A1r A1s A1t A1u A1v A1w A1x A2 A2a A2aa A2b A2c A2d A2e A2f A2g A2h A2i A2j

36.

37.

38.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

A2k A2l A2m A2n A2o A2p A2q A2r A2s A2t A2u A2v

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

Locality name Coordinate N A Mt Prenj High altitude zones on Mt. Prenj (>1550 m) Kopilice 43,552958 Podotiš 43,552958 Taraš 43,550000 Milanova koliba 43,556783 Osobac 43,593701 Kapa 43,548569 Otiš 43,581888 Herač 43,550000 Velike bare / Zelena glava 43,544800 Sivadije 43,549102 Path under Erač 43,516050 Vjetrena brda 43,550950 Soplje 43,549311 Harareve stanine 43,556413 Zakantar 43,569663 Lučine 43,569663 Has 43,568133 Under peak Cetina 43,597538 Berni do 43,532472 Lasni do 43,529769 Jezerce 43,557575 Lupoglav 43,554136 Kopilice 43,552958 Lower altitude zones of Mt. Prenj (< 1550 m) Crno polje 43,531650 Crno polje just after pizdino vrelo 43,531650 Tisovica 43,581888 Glavatičevo 43,493255 Kruševac 43,583611 Boračko lake 43,549019 Rujište 43,485569 Rujište H. polje 43,595000 Zmijinac (trail Idbar-Tisovica) 43,622047 Rujište, Ošljak spring 43,468611 forest on the road to Rujište just before 43,482500 Česim Road to Rujište from Kruševac direction 43,685555 Bahtijevići 43,627500 Mostarska bijela 43,506944 Borci village 43,579386 Bijele vode hut 43,579386 Džajići 43,609416 Glavatičevo 43,498413 Glogošnica 43,618961 Gorje Stranine above Boračko lake 43,556111 road between Bjelimići and Glavatičevo 43,493255 Stream Baštica (village Idbar) 43,636466 Idbar village 43,636466

Coordinate E

17,914869 17,914869 17,905869 17,919941 17,834230 17,940647 17,858122 17,905869 / 17,931175 17,904397 17,956130 17,861213 17,869938 17,856983 17,873097 17,873097 17,833197 17,832016 17,841977 17,932272 17,922808 17,849244 17,914869 17,973988 17,973988 17,858122 18,103861 17,981388 18,035213 17,932991 18,141111 17,874647 17,991388 18,090833 18,102500 18,247222 17,931389 18,015558 18,015558 18,017763 18,109499 17,763663 18,035000 18,103861 17,880652 17,880652 17

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No. 49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

Code A2w A2x A2y A2z A2č A2ć A2dž A2đ A2š A2lj A2ž

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

A3 A3a A3b A3c A3d A3e A3f A3g

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.

95.

96.

97.

98.

99.

B1 B1a B1b B1c B1d B1e B1f B1g B1h B1i B1j B1k B2 B2a B2b B2c B2d B2e B2f B2g B2h B2i B2j B2k B2l B2m B2n B2o B2p B2q B3 B3a B3b B3c B3d B3e

Locality name Coordinate N Kula village up from Boračko lake 43,532111 way to village Kašići from Boračko lake 43,542136 mouth of Rakitnica 43,547891 Zuljevlje bara 43,545427 Dabica poljana 43,604722 Ljuta river 43,640688 Vilin klanac 43,543611 Zijemlje, before Rujište 43,615555 Rujište, ski resort 43,636666 Rakitnica 43,547891 crossroad 43,750278 Bahtijevići – Boračko lake City of Konjic and surroundings Vrtaljice - from Konjic to Buturović polje 43,772952 Trešanica dolina, near Ovčari 43,772952 Ovčari 43,666327 Repovica 43,668111 Grabovci near Čelebići 43,657736 Suhi do near Čelebići 43,617627 Konjic 43,670758 B Mt. Čvrsnica High altitude zones of Mt. Čvrsnica (> 1550 m) Ledeno jezero 43,596563 jezero Crvenjak 43,631902 Hajdučka vrata to Vilinac 43,631902 Pločno 43 37 50.8 Vilinac under the hut 43,604033 Žandarmerija 43,601288 Hajdučka vrata 43,630177 Peharovi stanovi 43,615250 Veliko Šljeme 43,649438 Veliki kuk 43,609055 Vilinac peak 43,622836 Lower altitude zones of Mt. Čvrsnica (< 1550 m) Crno vrelo 43,578530 Diva Grabovica 43,609769 Muharnica 43,671808 Stipića livade 43,671808 Drežnica 43,537655 Drežnica, vrt ciklama climbing spot 43,521218 road Doljani – Sovići 43,702452 way to Plasa 43,629758 Sovićka vrata 43,682711 Strmenica 43,622602 Žlijeb 43,616263 Donje bare 43,574261 Gornja Drežnica 43,541403 Konjsko vrelo 43,578608 Modri kamen 43,578608 Bivak 43,779722 Vitrenjača 43,587602 City of Jablanica and surroundings Krstac 43,653130 Donja Jablanica 43,653038 Field Doljanka above Jablanica 43,669161 road from Jablanica to Rama 43,726500 Jablanica – the bridge Ribnički

Coordinate E 18,046505 18,077694 18,083436 17,611011 18,026388 18,011847 18,080000 18,027777 18,176944 18,083436 18,169444

17,792761 17,792761 17,973861 17,978966 17,958450 17,750486 17,862213

17,611125 17,650488 17,650488 17 38 38.2 17,569730 17,611011 17,654616 17,623025 17,681161 17,637683 17,633436 17,716575 17,667286 17,634580 17,634580 17,628808 17,737822 17,617377 17,713513 17,581858 17,656219 17,670063 17,506638 17,613611 17,525280 17,525280 17,852500 17,458305 17,799413 17,762388 17,709063 17,692027

18

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No. 100.

101.

102.

103.

Code B3f B3g C Ca Cb

104.

105.

106.

107.

108.

109.

Cc Cd Ce Cf Cg Ch

110.

120.

111.

112.

Ci D Da Db

Locality name Coordinate N village Mirke 43,653038 Jablanica 43,653038 Neretva river (bordering zone between 2 mountians) downstream flow: Drežnica – Glavatičevo 43,669780 upstream flow: from Glavatičevo to the 43,537655 spring of Neretva right shore of the river above Konjic 43,537655 Ostrožac town 43,493255 Gračac village 43,654447 Jablaničko lake 43,681763 Neretva downstram 43,726500 old flow of river Neretva (before the 43,691797 arfiticial lake Jablaničko was made), valley of Neretva 43,455563 Wider area of Mt. Prenj Raštani 43,681269 Potoci, Humilišani 43,394013

Coordinate E 17,762388 17,762388 17,737497 17,628808 17,628808 18,103861 17,961400 17,828522 17,692027 17,875200 17,832105 17,725691 17,863617

19

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Distribution and conservation of Dalmatolacerta oxycephala (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Distribucija i zaštita Dalmatolacerta oxycephala (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) u Hrvatskoj i Bosni i Hercegovini EMINA ŠUNJE1, DAVID R. BIRD2 AND DUŠAN JELIĆ3,4* 1

Herpetological Association in Bosnia and Hercegovina ATRA, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina 2

British Herpetological Society, UK

3

Croatian Institute for Biodiversity, Croatian Herpetological Society Hyla, Zagreb, Croatia 4

Institute for research and development of sustainable ecosystems, Zagreb, Croatia *Corresponding author: jelic.dusan@gmail.com

Abstract The sharp snouted rock lizard, Dalmatolacerta oxycephala, is an endemic lizard of the Balkan Peninsula with 70% of its range found in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The herpetological literature surprisingly yields scarce localized data. In this paper we summarize most, if not all, records found in literature, data from museum collections, our own field surveys and records of field researchers with reliable knowledge of D. oxycephala. All literature and new data are plotted and an updated distribution map for Croatia and B&H is given. The sharp snouted rock lizard occurs continuously over the southern areas of the region with new records increasing the known distribution towards the north and into the high mountainous regions. The species occupies a very wide set of habitats, from rocky shrubs at sea level (on islands) up to rocky mountain cliffs and gorges at 1400 m a.s.l. Overall seasonal activity was highest from April to June with strong affiliation to warm and dry habitats. The species has a large range, it is still very abundant and there is no direct evidence of population decline, therefore its IUCN regional status for Croatia should remain least concerned (LC) and near threatened (NT) for B&H.

Key words: endemic, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, distribution, conservation, Red List Sažetak Oštroglava gušterica, Dalmatolacerta oxycephala, je endemska vrsta gušterice Balkanskog poluotoka. Preko 70 % njezina areala rasprostranjenosti pada unutar nacionalnih granica Hrvatske i Bosne i Hercegovine. Unatoč tako velikom postotku, pregledom herpetološke literature moguće je pronaći samo pojedinačne i lokalizirane podatke o njezinoj pojavnosti. U ovom radu prikupili smo većinu, ako ne i sve, podatke dostupne u literaturi i muzejskim zbirkama, te podatke prikupljene terenskim istraživanjima autora i drugih pouzdanih istraživača. Svi literaturni i novi nalazi okupljeni su u zajedničku bazu podataka te je izrađena precizna nova karta rasprostranjenosti oštroglave gušterice u Hrvatskoj i Bosni i Hercegovini. Oštroglava gušterica kontinuirano nastanjuje južne dijelove istraživane regije dok novi nalazi doprinose poznavanju njezina areala u najsjevernijim 20

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i planinskim područjima. Vrsta nastanjuje vrlo širok spektar staništa, od stjenovitih staništa s makijom uz samu morsku obalu (npr. na otocima), do stjenovitih kanjona visokih planina iznad 1400 m nadmorske visine.

Općenita sezonska aktivnost oštroglave gušterice najviša je od travnja do lipnja, a vidljiva je i vrlo jaka sklonost ka toplim i suhim staništima. Vrsta još uvijek ima vrlo velik areal rasprostranjenosti, vrlo je česta na pogodnim staništima i nema izravnih dokaza o opadanju brojnosti njene populacije, te na temelju toga možemo zaključiti da bi njen IUCN status u Hrvatskoj trebao ostati najmanje zabrinjavajuča (LC) te gotovo ugrožena svojta (NT) u Bosni i Hercegovini.

Ključne riječi: endemske vrste, Hrvatska, Bosna i Hercegovina, distribucija, zaštita, Crveni popis

Introduction

Later historic publications found the sharp

Individuals of sharp snouted rock lizard originating from Dalmatia were described for the first time by Duméril & Bibron (1839) under the name Lacerta oxycephala. According to its specific morphology and phylogenetics, Arnold et al. (2007) suggest a reclassification of the species allocating it to a newly described genus: Dalmatolacerta - a feminine name derived from Dalmatia - the Croatian region bordering the east coast of the Adriatic Sea where the species occurs, and lacerta, a lizard. Another synonym of the species is also Archaeolacerta

oxycephala,

Arribas

snouted black lizard to be abundant in south-east areas of Croatia bordering the sea, and on its islands (Rösller 1920, Pavletić 1964, Gorman et al. 1970, De Luca et al. 1990, Schmidtler and Bischoff 1999, Cafuta 2004, Podnar-Lešić 2005). Distribution data for B&H is rare and refers to information provided by

Werner

(1898,

1899),

Bolkay

(1924),

Radovanović, (1941, 1951) and Lazar and Balent (2000). Even in recent times, there is a lack of systematic research on the distribution of the sharp snouted black lizard especially in B&H.

(1999).

D. oxycephala is unanimously regarded as

Bedriaga (1886) gives the first distribution data for the species in Croatia when investigating the Krka River. Three years later the species was also confirmed in Bosnia and Herzegovina – B&H (Tomassini 1889). Steindachner (1892) describes the presence of the species in areas not exceeding 1200 m above sea level in south-west Hercegovina.

monotypic (Bischoff 1984, Mayer and Podnar 2003) however, recent phylogeographic study based on two mitochondrial molecular markers revealed two

deeply

separated

clades

(“island”

and

“mainland clade”) that diverged some five MY ago (Podnar et al. 2014).

Bolkay (1924) published additional distributional

Our aim was to gather all records from

notes for the area and gave special attention to

literature data (references and reports) and from

almost fully black individuals described by

museum collections as well as data from our field

Schreiber (1891) as Lacerta oxycephala var.

surveys and records of field researchers with

tomasini which he registered in the area of

reliable knowledge of D. oxycephala. Remarks on

Herzegovina (Fig. 1). Bolkay (1924) was the first to

the current conservation status of D. oxycephala are

address the distribution of the sharp snouted rock

also provided and an updated distribution map is

lizard in Montenegro.

drawn.

21

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A

B

Figure 1. D. oxycephala: A) dark morph from Baba planina, B&H (19.06.2011). B) light morph from location on the way from Boračko lake to Kašići village, B&H (08.08.2012; Photo: M. Radaković, B. Jusić) Slika 1. D. oxycephala A) crna forma s Baba planine, BiH 19.06.2011). B) uobičajna forma s lokaliteta na putu od Boračkog jezera prema selu Kašići (08.08.2012; Fotografije: M. Radaković, B. Jusić)

Material and Methods

Brusina

1908,

Rogenhofer

1908a,b,

Werner

New data was collected onwards from

1908a,b,c, Rössler 1919, Rössler 1920, Karaman

1994, coming from observations of known field

1921, Bolkay 1924, Kammerer and Wettstein 1926,

researchers and the authors. None of these

Koch 1926, Bolkay 1928a,b, Mertens 1934, Cyren

observations are the result of a planned sampling

1941, Radovanović 1941, Radovanović 1951,

scheme and therefore an absence in a particular area

Radovanović

might be the consequence of a lack of surveying,

Radovanović 1960,

possibly yielding a „false absence“. Interpretation

1963a,b,

of the map should consider such a shortcoming.

Diesner 1966, Pozzi 1966, Cvitanić 1968, Džukić

Part of the data was received from museum

1972, Brelih and Džukić 1974, Gorman et al. 1975,

collections of the Hungarian National History

Böhme 1984, Lapini 1984, Arnold 1987, Pracht

Museum, Budapest (HNHM), Museo Civico di

1987, Raynor 1989, De Luca et al. 1990, Tvrtković

Storia Naturale di Milano (MSNM), Muséum

and Kletečki 1993b, Bressi 1995, Vogrin 1997,

national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN), and

Grbac et al. 1998b, Bressi 1999, Schmidtler 1999,

the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NHMW).

Škvarč 1999a,b,

1954.,

Pavletić

Radovanović Krpan 1962,

1964,

1957a,b, Frommhold

Radovanović

1964,

Planinc 2000, Janev-Hutinec

The following publications were used for a

2001, Pistotnik 2001, Scheers and Van Damme

data overview and production of a distribution map

2002, Mayer and Podnar 2002a,b,c, Cafuta 2003,

(Fig. 3): Duméril & Bibron 1839 (description,

Mayer and Podnar 2003, Cafuta 2005, Lončar 2005,

terrae typicae: Dalmatia, Croatia), Kolombatović

Podnar and Mayer 2006, Šalamon et al. 2005,

1886a,b,c, Kolombatović 1888, Tomassini 1889,

Janev-Hutinec et al. 2006, Konte et al. 2006, Tóth

Steindacher 1892, Boettger 1893, Werner 1897,

et al. 2006, Tvrtković and Veen 2006, Huyghe et al.

Depoli 1898, Werner 1898, Werner 1899, Galvagni

2007, Kryštufek and Kletečki 2007, Lucić 2007,

1902, Werner 1902, Gugler 1903, Kammerer 1903,

Lucić et al. 2008, Vervust et al. 2009, Barun et al.

Kolombatović 1904, Méhely 1904, Werner 1905,

2010, Jelić et al. 2012a,b,c, Jelić 2014.

22

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All maps were prepared in the WGS84 coordinate

CMIP5 (IPPC Fifth Assessment). We intersected all

system. Some records correspond to larger areas

of our literature and new data, with precise

and are plotted here as a single record at the centre

coordinates, with these two models to get annual

of the indicated area (literature data only). Records

mean temperatures and altitude for all areas of

were divided in two categories: 1) literature data,

interest (Hijmans et al. 2005).

and 2) new unpublished data (Fig. 3).

Annual mean temperatures and Digital

Results

elevation model were downloaded from WorldClim

The collected data comprise 264 records

- Global Climate Data version 1.4 (Free climate

from Croatia and 81 records from B&H. For

data

GIS;

Croatia, 70% of the data refer to published records

http://www.worldclim.org/) web service which is

and 30% correspond to new observations; for B&H,

based on weather conditions recorded from 1950 to

95% of the data originate from literature records

2000. The spatial resolution is approximately 900 m

and 5% correspond to new observations.

for

ecological

modeling

and

x 900 m. These maps were created from downscaled global climate model (GCM) data from

Number of individuals

300

284

225

Croatia Bosnia

150 75 0

63

48

8

11 1

32 12

46

5

50

71

73

9

0

8

0

13 0

25 8

1

33

4

Figure 2. Number of D. oxycephala records over a period of 175 years in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Remark: Some authors in their references referred that they observed “several individuals” per specific year, which was presented as five (5) individuals in the chart above.

Slika 2. Broj nalaza D. oxycephala kroz period od 175 godina istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i Bosni i Hercegovini.

Napomena: neki autori u svojim zapisima navode da je zabilježeno “nekoliko jedinki” u određenoj godini, te su takvi zapisi na grafu prikazani kao pet (5) jedinki.

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According to the data presented, the sharp

Almost 56% of the records were collected in the

snouted rock lizard is distributed continuously

past ten years, reflecting the recently increased

across the south region of both countries and a large

interest for this species, and herpetological research

number of Croatian islands (Fig. 3). The time table

in general.

of records (Fig. 2) shows that 32% of the total

However, these results were not collected

observed number of individuals are older than 60

uniformly and the data analyses presented here

years and should be interpreted with caution.

should be viewed bearing this in mind.

Figure 3. Distribution of D. oxycephala in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Slika 3. Distribucija vrste D. oxycephala u Hrvatskoj i Bosni i Hercegovini

Figure 4. Seasonal activity of D. oxycephala: number of individuals observed per month (n = 291) Slika 4. Sezonska aktivnost vrste D. oxycephala: broj zabiljeĹženih jedinki po mjesecima (n = 291) 24

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Šunje et al. 2014

Number of individuals

ISSN: 1848-2007

10

12

7

9

5

6 3 0

2

Figure 5. Daily activity of D. oxycephala: number of

1

individuals observed per 2 hour intervals (n=25) Slika 5. Dnevna aktivnost D. oxycephala: broj zabilježenih jedinki tijekom aktivnog dijela dana s intervalom od 2 sata (n = 25)

Figure 6. D. oxycephala record distribution (n = 385) over altitudinal, annual mean temperature, and annual mean precipitation gradients (data interpolated from WorldClim ≈ 1 km2 grid) Slika 6. Pregled nalaza vrste D. oxycephala (n = 385) u odnosu na visinski gradijent, gradijent srednje godišnje temperature i gradijent srednjih godišnjih padalina (podatci su preuzeti iz WorldClim mreže preciznosti ≈ 1 km2).

25

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D. oxycephala is distributed continuously across

occupies dry areas with low annual mean

the southern parts of B&H and the region of

precipitation between 25 and 50 mm. This

Dalmatia (Croatia) representing the south-east coast

corresponds to dry Mediterranean-type habitats in

of the Adriatic Sea with most of its accompanying

Dalmatia and Herzegovina, but the species was also

Croatian islands (Biševo, Vis, Brač, Hvar, Mljet,

recorded in high mountainous region in B&H

Lastovo, Korčula, and most of the smaller island

(Korita) with annual mean precipitation of 90 mm.

around them) (Fig. 3). Its distribution range was significantly expanded to the north, to the island of Cres (town of Osor), through anthropogenic influence. This recent introduction resulted in the

Discussion

establishment of a small, but stable population. The

The sharp snouted rock lizard is an

island of Lošinj is connected with Cres by an 11 m

endemic species of Croatia, B&H and Montenegro.

long bridge and the chance of further expansion is

The species probably reaches the southernmost

also possible. Recent visits to Osor revealed that D.

point in northern Albanian territory (Hill 2009,

oxycephala is currently present only on the old

Polović 2011) but it still has to be officially

town walls without any indication of further

confirmed (Crnobrnja-Isailović 2009).

dispersal (Martina Podnar Lešić, Zagreb, pers. comm. 2014).

Very old data by Depoli (1898) suggest that the northernmost locality of the species is the

According to data collected in the field,

city of Rijeka and its surroundings. Since this

the peak of D. oxycephala activity is reached in the

record has never been reconfirmed in recent times,

months of April, May and June (Fig. 4) during late

we consider it not valid and as a possible

afternoon or morning before the sun is high on the

misidentification. Boulenger (1916, 1920) claims

horizon and the temperature reaches the daily

that its northernmost point of distribution is in the

maximum. Recent data collected in this study

vicinity of the city of Zadar, while Bischoff (1984)

shows that D. oxycephala individuals were found

claims this has not been recently reconfirmed. We

active throughout the day between 08:00 and 18:00

believe that the northernmost distribution area

hours without any special preference (Fig. 5).

actually extends up to the river Krka as Bedriaga

D. oxycephala inhabits a wide range of habitats and

(1886) and Schreiber (1912) already suggested. The

can be found from sea level (≈ 1 m a.s.l. on rocky

northernmost island in Croatia inhabited by the

sea beaches) up to more than 1600 m a.s.l. in

species is Cres. As already indicated, the species

Mountains like Biokovo (Croatia) and Baba planina

has been introduced there probably on boats and

(B&H). However the largest proportion of records

ships (Toth et al. 2006, Sämann and Zauner 2010).

were found under 400 m a.s.l. (Fig. 6). We found an

The small island of Biševo near Vis is the

opposite trend in frequency of records along annual

westernmost known population. The southernmost

mean temperature gradient (interpolated from

locality in Croatia is the peninsula of Molunat near

WorldClim; Fig. 6) where most of the records were

the border with Montenegro. In the east of the

made in areas where annual mean temperature was

range, it occupies a continental area of B&H,

between 21°C and 26°C. Total annual temperature

reaching the easternmost point in Korita (≈ 1200 m

span of this species was 13.6-25.5°C (average =

a.s.l.). The Dinaric mountain chain lays parallel to

22.8°C; median = 24.2°C). The species mostly

the Adriatic shoreline and presents a high 26

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altitudinal barrier that prevents the spread of warm

occasionally occurs syntopically with Podarcis

adapted Mediterranean species further inland. As

muralis, Dinarolacerta mosorensis (Hill 2009) and

we move further to the north from the Adriatic

Alygroides nigropunctatus (Džukić and Pasuljević

coast the climate becomes colder and with more

1979). Our observations confirm these relationships

precipitation.

of

in many areas, but we also discovered that

distribution in relevance from the Adriatic Sea is

population in Korita (B&H) appears in syntopy

again in B&H, in the canyon of the river Ljuta

with Lacerta agilis and V. ursinii macrops). These

under Mt. Treskavica (≈ 100 km from the

are the first confirmation of coexistence with cold

shoreline). This is also the northernmost confirmed

adapted mountainous species. This is not an

record in B&H and in the whole species native

isolated example as Jelić et al. (2012a) confirmed a

range. According to old literature data, there are

similarly surprising syntopic coexistence of cold

records from Jablanica-Rama (Bolkay 1924) and

adapted V. ursinii and warm adapted Zamenis situla

Konjic (Werner 1897), but these sightings still need

on Velebit mountain (1200 m a.s.l.). On the other

confirmation. From Fig 2. it is clear that Croatia

side of the scale on the Adriatic coast D.

had a higher rate of recent research on D.

oxycephala coexists with some of the most

oxycephala and that there is a continuous lack of

thermophilic Balkan species like Hemidactylus

herpetological

is

turcicus, Telescopus fallax and Platyceps najadum.

estimated that for 48 % of the entire B&H territory,

Vervust et al. (2009) also reported sympatry with

there is no herpetological distribution data (Čengić,

an introduced population of Podarcis siculus and

2013 unpublished).

Podarcis

The

northernmost

investigations

in

point

B&H.

It

melisellensis

from

the

Lastovo

Roughly more than 70 % of the entire

archipelago. P. melisellensis and especially P.

species range (estimation inferred according to

siculus specimens are ecologically similar species

IUCN), falls within Croatia and B&H and therefore

and competitively superior over D. oxycephala: on

the largest responsibility for species protection falls

small islands where the species co-occur, D.

to these two countries. Most of the remaining 30%

oxycephala often retreats to the peripheral zone of

falls within Montenegro and the exact distribution

almost barren rocks to avoid competition (Vervust

in Albania still remains unclear.

et al. 2009). Competitive exclusion could prevent

Daily activity is clearly dependant on the

D. oxycephala to co-exist with ecologically similar

month in which the species was observed and was

species (i.e. P. siculus which is partly an invasive

the highest when the temperature was around 22°C

species in Croatia) in smaller areas and islands

which is complementary to the data presented by

(Radovanović 1956, Nevo et al. 1972) and it might

Bischoff (1981) who correlates the activity of the

be an answer to the discontinuous distribution range

species with external temperature, between 19 and

on Croatian islands presented in this paper. Vervus

27.5°C. These results are mainly a consequence of

et al. (2009) conclude that on more flat and

random daily activity of the researchers and should

vegetated islands, without significant areas of bare

be considered as such.

rock, the habitat is more favorable for Podarcis sp.

The sharp snouted rock lizard is a species

and D. oxycephala is rare or absent. This is another

highly adapted to rocky habitats. It occurs on warm,

contribution

sparsely vegetated, sunny rocky areas. Often it is

distribution range. The species’ appearance in

the only lizard in these habitats, although it

costal zones is highly reflected in results of

to

explain

the

discontinuous

27

Original Scientific Paper

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 20 - 33

Šunje et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

temperature preference visible in Figure 6 where it

lizards (Clusella-Trullas 2008) have shown that in

is obvious that D. oxycephala prefers warmer

those species, melanism increases the efficiency of

habitats in general. This result is partly biased by

heat absorption, thus allowing a longer active

the larger amount of data collected in lowland and

season and higher reproductive success (Gibson and

coastal areas, but still gives a valuable insight into

Falls 1979, Andren and Nilson 1981, Capula and

species’ wide niche breadth. Large differences in

Luiselli 1994, Forsman and As 1987), particularly

niche selection (altitude, temperature, precipitation)

in high-latitude or high-altitude environments

would support the theory of Podnar et al. (2014), of

(Monney et al. 1995).

the existence of two deeply separated clades within

Currently D. oxycephala is labelled in the Red List

D. oxycephala. On the other hand, the previous

of Amphibians and Reptiles of Croatia as Least

study of genetic diversity performed on D.

Concerned (LC). In B&H, due to lack of data, in

oxycephala populations on the small islands of

the preliminary version of the red list document

Skadar lake (Montenegro) showed maintenance of

(Škrijelj et al. 2013) it is listed as Near Threatened

high levels of genetic variability and absence of

(NT). Based on the current knowledge, data

strong isolation effects that would be expected in

collected by this research, and the IUCN Red List

island populations (Crnobrnja-Isailović 1995). The

Categories and Criteria version 3.1 (IUCN 2012),

ability to maintain high genetic variation, combined

we feel confident that D. oxycephala should keep

with high levels of morphological variation,

the status of Least Concern (LC), in Croatia and

contributes to the species’ high adaptive capacity

Near threatened (NT) in B&H until more research

and ability to easily occupy new niches when it

is conducted since most of the habitat is under high

doesn’t come in competition with other species. D.

anthropogenic pressure.

oxycephala exhibit at least 16 anatomical characters that display interspecific variability and such levels of

morphological

differentiation

and

Acknowledgments

genetic

We thank Dragica Šalamon, Berislav

Horvatić,

Biljana

divergence often exceed those between Lacertidae

Janev–Hutinec,

taxa that are already treated as full genera (Arnold

Cluchier, Pierre Olivier Cochard, Jean-Christophe

et al. 2007). Within the species, two basic colour

de Massary, Jean-Pierre Vacher, Dag Treer, Ivan

morphs exist: the dark morph (var. tomasini

Budinski, Roberto Sindaco, Krešimir Žganec, DSB

Schreiber 1891) usually encountered in higher

and

altitudes and the light morph, which inhabits mostly

unpublished observations and Boris Stjepanović for

lower altitudes and the islands (Hill 2009) (Fig. 1).

helping

A dark body absorbs radiant energy more

distribution map. Also a special thank you to

efficiently than a light body, and melanism is thus

Martina Podnar-Lešić for sharing her data and

often

useful comments.

considered

an

advantage

in

a

cool

BIUS

on

Associations

preparation

for

work

Alexandre

contributing

for

the

final

environments. Partial melanism (with visible pattern) was also observed in some of the Adriatic

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Threatened species of Bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura) in India Ugrožene vrste žaba roda Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura) u Indiji SUMAN PRATIHAR

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India working at Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102 and Bose Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India pratihar_vu@redifffmail.com

Abstract The genus Raorchestes belongs to the Rhacophoridae family. A total of 52 species were reported from India, nine of which were described in 2014. This frog genus is under grave threats, especially due to the habitat degradation caused by the cultivation of eucalyptus, coffee and tea plantations, deforestation, agricultural practices and unplanned tourism.

Key words: frogs, diversity, distribution

Sažetak Rod Raorchestes spada u porodicu Rhacophoridae. Ukupno 52 vrste ovog roda su do sada zabilježene u Indiji, od kojih je devet opisano u 2014. godini. Ovaj rod se nalazi pod velikim prijetnjama, posebno radi degradacije staništa uzrokovane plantažama eukaliptusa, kave t čaja, agrikulturom i neplanskim turizmom.

Ključne riječi: žabe, raznolikost, distribucija

34

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The

species

belonging

to

the

genus

considered as threatened in India. Of those, 23,68 %

Raorchestes are characterised by adult snout-vent

are considered to be Data Deficient; 30,12 % Least

length between 15 and 45 mm, no vomerine teeth, a

Concern;

large transparent gular pouch while croaking,

Vulnerable; 9,36 % Endangered; 4,97 % Critically

nocturnal activity and direct development occurring

Endangered and 0.29 % Extinct (Venkataraman &

within the egg membrane and without free-swimming

Deuti 2014).

2,63

%

Near

Threatened;

7,02

%

tadpoles (Biju et al. 2010). This genus was named in Roarchestes chlorosomma (Biju & Bossuyt

honour of C. R. Narayan Rao in recognition of his contribution to Indian batrachology. How poorly this genus is known is evident in the fact that nine new species of bush frog have been discovered (reported on 10 December 2014) in the Western Ghats, a mountainous region in southern India, which is a biodiversity hotspot. Some of these newly discovered frogs are as small as a thumbnail while others are brilliantly coloured or plain coloured (Vijayakumar et al. 2014). The newly described species are: Raorchestes archeos Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu & Shanker,

2014, Raorchestes

2009) is known only from 1410 m a.s.l. in Munnar, Kerala, on an area less than 100 km2. The speciesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; habitat is lost to large-scale tea, eucalyptus and wattle plantations. The demanding tourism industry is also becoming a serious concern. Though the species seems to be adaptable, its tolerance to degraded habitats is not specifically known. It is considered to be Critically Endangered (Venkataraman & Deuti 2014).

Raorchestes griet (Bossuyt 2002) is found in

aureus Vijayakumar,

bushes above 1000 m a.s.l. in the Western Ghats.

Dinesh, Prabhu & Shanker, 2014, Raorchestes

This endemic frog is considered as Critically

blandus Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu & Shanker,

Endangered because of its limited extent of

2014, Raorchestes echinatus Vijayakumar, Dinesh,

occurrence (EOO). Currently all individuals are

Prabhu

2014, Raorchestes

found in a single habitat which is influenced by

emeraldi Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu & Shanker,

habitat fragmentations due to tea and eucalyptus

2014., Raorchestes

plantation.

&

Shanker,

flaviocularis Vijayakumar,

Dinesh, Prabhu & Shanker, 2014, Raorchestes indigo Shanker,

The Kaikatti Bush frog, Raorchestes kaikatti

2014, Raorchestes leucolatus Vijayakumar, Dinesh,

(Biju & Bossuyt 2009) is arboreal and nocturnal. It is

Prabhu

listed as Critically Endangered because of its EOO

Vijayakumar,

&

Dinesh,

Shanker,

Prabhu

2014

&

and Raorchestes &

and area of occupancy (AOO), estimated to be less

Shanker, 2014. The total number of bush frog species

than 10 km2. Habitat loss due to deforestation,

in the Western Ghats is increased to a total of 55,

agricultural practices and unplanned tourism are the

with 52 species under the genus Raorchestes

major threats to this species.

primarrumpfi Vijayakumar,

Dinesh,

Prabhu

(Vijayakumar et al. 2014).

According to the IUCN (2013) Red list of

Raorchestes marki (Biju & Bossuyt 2009) is considered as Critically Endangered because of its

threatened species 78 species of amphibians are 35

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AOO

estimated

to

be

less

than

10

km2

(Venkataraman & Deuti 2014). This species is

threats to this species are tea and cardamom plantations.

reported only from the Kaikatti â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nelliyampathi hills.

Agricultural practices and destruction of green forest

Raorchestes charius (Rao 1937) is often found within leaf litter. This species is listed as

are a serious threat to this species.

Endangered because its AOO is less than 500 km2.

Raorchestes munnarensis (Biju and Bossuyt 2009) breeds by direct development. This species is

The major threat is habitat loss due to agricultural practices.

considered as Critically Endangered because of its EOO which is less than 100 km2. One of the major threats to the natural habitats of this species are the tea plantations.

Raorchestes nerostagona (Biju & Bossuyt 2005) is considered as Endangered because its EOO is less than 5000 km2 (Venkataraman & Deuti 2014).

Accumulation lakes for hydroelectric powerplants are

The Ponmundi Bush frog, Raorchestes

one of the threats to this species.

ponmudi (Biju & Bossuyt 2005) is known from a patch of evergreen forest surrounded by grassland and considered as Critically Endangered because of its EOO which is less than 100 km2 (Venkataraman & Deuti 2014). Habitat destruction is the major threat to this species.

Raorchestes signatus (Boulenger 1882) is considered Endangered because of the clearing of native forests for intensively cultivated areas.

Raorchestes tinniens (Jerdon 1853) is found in leaf litter and under ground cover. Considered as

Raorchestes resplendens (Biju et al. 2010) is restricted to only a 3 km2 patch at the top of Anamudi peak. It is considered to be Critically Endangered because of its EOO and AOO. Less than 300 individuals were observed over the last six years.

Raorchestes shillongensis (Pillai & Chanda 1973) is only known from the surroundings of Shilong, Khasi hills, and Meghalaya in north-eastern 2

Endangered because its EOO is less than 5000 km2 (Venkataraman & Deuti 2014). Local infrastructural development is the main threat to this species.

Raorchestes bobingeri (Biju & Bossuyt 2005) is listed as Vulnerable. Expansion of surrounding tea plantations is the major threat for its habitat destruction.

Raoechestes bombayensis (Annandale 1919)

India. Due to its less than 100 km EOO it is

is Vulnerable because its EOO is less than 20 000

considered as Critically Endangered. Collection of

km2 and its AOO is less than 2 000 km2. Unplanned

wood for subsistence use, clearing of undergrowth

tourism, deforestation, and infrastructure expansion

and urbanization are the major threats to this species.

are main threats to this species.

Raorchestes sushili (Biju & Bossuyt 2009) is considered as Critically Endangered because of its 2

EOO which is less than 100 km . One of the major

Raorchestes

chromasynchysi

(Biju

&

Bossuyt 2009) (Fig. 1) is placed under Vulnerable because its extent of occurrence is estimated to be 36

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7204 km2. The major threats are habitat loss, coffee

region to region. One cannot study and plan the same

plantations and road traffic in the Coorg area

for all the regions.

(Venkataraman & Deuti 2014).

Bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes are Raorchestes luteolus (Kuramoto & Joshy

distributed mostly in the Western Ghats Escarpment

2003) (Figure 2.) is listed as Data Deficient because

of Peninsular India. The knowledge about the species

it has been described only recently.

in this genus is not complete and there is doubt in the systematic status of species recognized only by

Raorchestes tuberohumerus (Kuramoto & Joshy 2003) (Figure 3.) is listed as Data Deficient because there is very little information on its extent of occurrence, status and ecological requirements.

external

morphology.

In

this

paper

I

have

documented all extant valid species of genus Raorchestes from India along with its conservation status.

Raorchestes dubois (Biju & Bossuyt 2006)

REFERENCES

is known only from a single location - Kodaikanal in Dindigal Anna District, Tamil Nadu State, in the southern Western Ghats of India.

Raorchestes glandulosus (Jerdon 1853) (Figure 4.) is Vulnerable because its EOO is less than 20 000 km2; its distribution is greatly fragmented. It is threatened by the conversion of native forest to intensively cultivated areas.

Raorchestes graminirupes (Biju & Bossuyt 2005) is known only from a single location Ponmudi

Hill

in

the

northern

part

of

the

Agasthyamala Hill range. One of the major threats to this species are deforestation, agricultural practices and unplanned tourism (Venkataraman & Deuti 2014).

It has been considered that the issues like carrying

capacity,

land

degradation,

pollution,

deforestation, climate change, solid wastes etc. are the main problems the bush frogs face. From the various studies it is clear that the environmental

Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt F. (2005): A new species of frog (Ranidae, Rhacophorinae, Philautus) from the rainforest canopy in the Western Ghats, India. Current Science 88 (1): 175-178.

Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt F. (2009): Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155: 374-444.

Biju, S.D., Shouche Y., Dubois A., Dutta S.K. & Bossuyt F. (2010): A ground-dwelling rhacophorid frog from the highest mountain peak of the Western Ghats of India. Current Science 98: 1119-1125.

Li, J.T., Che, J., Murphy, R.W., Zhao, H., Zhao, E.M., Rao, D.Q. & Zhang, Y.P. (2009): New insights to the molecular phylogenetics and generic assessment in the Rhacophoridae (Amphibia: Anura) based on five nuclear and three mitochondrial genes, with comments on the evolution of reproduction. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 53 (2): 509-22.

Li, J.T., Li,Y., Klaus, S., Rao, D., Hillis, D.N. & Zhang Y.P. (2013): Diversification of rhacophorid frogs provides evidence for accelerated faunal exchange between India and Eurasia during the Oligocene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110 (14): 5731.

effect of tourism development in India differs from 37

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Venkataraman, K. & Deuti, K. (2014): Threatened Amphibians of India. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.

Vijayakumar, S. P., Dinesh, K. P., Prabhu, M.V. & Shanker, K. (2014): Lineage Delimitation and Description of Nine New Species of Bush Frogs (Anura: Raorchestes, Rhacophoridae) from the

Review Paper Pratihar 2014

Western Ghats Escarpment. Zootaxa 3893(4): 451488.

Figure 1. Raorchestes chromasynchysi Photo by Vipin Bhaliga.

Slika 1. Raorchestes chromasynchysi Fotografirao Vipin Bhaliga.

Figure 2. Raorchestes luteolus Photo by Vipin Bhaliga.

Slika 2. Raorchestes luteolus Fotografirao Vipin Bhaliga.

Figure 3. Raorchestes tuberohumerus Photo by Vipin Bhaliga.

Slika 3. Raorchestes tuberohumerus Fotografirao Vipin Bhaliga.

Figure 4. Raorchestes glandulosus Photo by Vipin Bhaliga.

Slika 4. Raorchestes glandulosus Fotografirao Vipin Bhaliga.

38

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Table 1. List of species of genus Raorchestes occurring in India with their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List.

Tablica 1. Popis vrsta roda Raorchestes prisutne u Indiji sa njihovim statusom ugroženosti prema IUCN Crvenom popisu.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Species name Raorchestes agasthyaensis Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes akroparallagi (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes anili (Biju and Bossuyt, 2006) Raorchestes archaeos Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes aureus Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes beddomii (Günther, 1876) Raorchestes blandus Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes bobingeri (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005) Raorchestes bombayensis (Annandale, 1919) Raorchestes chalazodes (Günther, 1876) Raorchestes charius (Rao, 1937) Raorchestes chlorosomma (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes chotta (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes chromasynchysi (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes coonoorensis (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes crustai Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes dubois (Biju and Bossuyt, 2006) Raorchestes echinatus Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes emeraldi sp. nov.

Raorchestes flaviventris (Boulenger, 1882) Raorchestes flaviocularis Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes ghatei Padhye, Sayyed, Jadhav and Dahanukar, 2013 Raorchestes glandulosus (Jerdon, 1853) Raorchestes graminirupes (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005) Raorchestes griet (Bossuyt, 2002) Raorchestes hassanensis (Dutta, 1985) Raorchestes indigo Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes jayarami (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes johnceei Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes kadalarensis Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes kaikatti (Biju & Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes kakachi Seshadri, Gururaja and Aravind, 2012 Raorchestes leucolatus Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes luteolus (Kuramoto and Joshy, 2003) Raorchestes manohari Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes marki (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes montanus (Jerdon, 1875) Raorchestes munnarensis (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes nerostagona (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005)

Conservation status NE NE LC NE NE NE NE VU VU NE EN CE DD VU LC NE VU NE NE DD NE NE VU VU CE NE NE NE NE NE CE NE NE DD NE CE NE CE EN 39

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40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52

Species name Raorchestes ochlandrae (Gururaja, Dinesh, Palot, Radhakrishnan and Ramachandra, 2007) Raorchestes ponmudi (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005) Raorchestes primarrumpfi Vijayakumar, Dinesh, Prabhu and Shanker, 2014 Raorchestes ravii Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes resplendens Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Dutta and Bossuyt, 2010 Raorchestes signatus (Boulenger, 1882) Raorchestes sushili (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Raorchestes theuerkaufi Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes thodai Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011 Raorchestes tinniens (Jerdon, 1854) Raorchestes travancoricus (Boulenger, 1891) Raorchestes tuberohumerus (Kuramoto and Joshy, 2003) Raorchestes uthamani Zachariah, Dinesh, Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot and Kalesh, 2011

Conservation status DD CE NE NE CE EN CE NE NE EN DD NE

40

Photo note

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 41–44

Iković et al. 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

A record of melanistic viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Squamata, Lacertidae) on Prokletije Mountain, Montenegro Nalaz melanistične živorodne gušterice Zootoca vivipara (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Squamata, Lacertidae) na Prokletiju, Crna Gora VUK IKOVIĆ*¹, MILENA KRASIĆ¹, SLAĐANA GVOZDENOVIĆ¹ ¹Montenegrin Ecologist Society, Bulevar Sv. Petra Cetinjskog 73, Podgorica, Montenegro *Corresponding author: vukikovic@gmail.com

Different colour morphs occur in many

Ground colouration in the Viviparous

populations of squamate reptiles. The most frequent

lizard is very variable: most animals are basically

colour deviation seems to be melanism, which

brown but may be grey or olive. In contrast to a

typically occurs with relatively high frequency at

relatively

higher elevations and latitudes and on certain

characterizing the species throughout the range, it

islands (Luiselli 1992, Forsman 1995, Monney et

usually shows high intrapopulational variation in

al. 1995, Bittner et al. 2002, Tanaka 2007). Many

pattern (Boulenger 1920, Dély & Böhme 1984).

lacertid lizards show a great intraspecific variability

Several colour variants have been described, but

in pattern and colouration (Arnold et al. 2007).

melanism appears to be the most common

Besides normally coloured specimens, various

(Boulenger 1917, Petzold 1978, Cavin 1993,

aberrant forms may also occur. Melanism has been

Gvoždík 1999).

described

species:

During the field work on Prokletije mountain on 28

Dalmatolacerta oxycephala (Duméril & Bibron,

June 2013 we observed a gravid female melanistic

1839) (Arnold et al. 1985), Lacerta agilis Linnaeus

Viviparous lizard (Fig. 1) at Raški dol (2200 m

1758 (Krecsák & Hartel 2001), Podarcis muralis

a.s.l., N 42° 37' 44.32"; E 20° 05' 12.18") on the

(Laurenti 1768) (Trócsányi & Korsós 2004),

border with Kosovo (Fig. 2). South-west from

Algyroides nigropunctatus (Duméril & Bibron,

there, at around 1900 m a.s.l. we found several

1839) (Urošević 2014) and it is considered to be a

brown-olive individuals of this species (Fig. 3).

result of ecological adaptation to a certain

Melanism in the Viviparous lizard has been

environment.

have

recorded many times (Szyndlar 1980, Brown et al.

thermoregulatory significance (Tossini et al. 1991).

1984, Westrin 1985, Cavin 1993, Gvoždík 1999,

However, this is questionable for small lizards so

San-Jose et al. 2008, Jambrich & Jandžik 2012,

alternative hypotheses have also been suggested:

Vrooner et al. 2013), however this is the first case

different predation pressures on melanistic lizards

of melanism recorded near the southern distribution

in dense vegetation (Gvoždík 1999, Jambrich &

border of this species, on the Balkan peninsula.

in

many

lacertid

Melanism

is

lizard

thought

to

low

morphological

variability

Jandzik 2012), or an increased male fitness (Vroonen et al. 2013).

41

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Figure 1. Melanistic gravid female Viviparous lizard from Raški dol, Prokletije mountain Slika 1. Melanistična gravidna ženka živorodne gušterice sa lokacije Raški dol, Prokletije

Figure 2. Locality Raški dol, Prokletije mountain, Montenegro Slika 2. Položaj lokalitera Raški dol, Prokletije, Crna Gora

42

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ISSN: 1848-2007

Figure 3. Typical brown-olive colored Viviparous lizard from Raški dol, Prokletije mountain Slika 3. Tipično smeđe-maslinasto obojena jedinka živorodne gušterice s lokacije Raški dol, Prokletije

REFERENCES Arnold, N., Ovenden, D. & Corbet, G. (1985): Field guide to the wild animals of Britain and Europe.

Treasure Press, London.

Arnold, E.N., Arribas, O. & Carranza, S. (2007): Systematic of the Palaearctic and Oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa 1430: 1-86.

Bittner, T.D., King, R.B., Kerfin, J.M. (2002): Effects of body size and melanism on the thermal biology of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis).

Copeia 2: 477-482.

Boulenger, G.A. (1917): On the variation of the common lizard, Lacerta vivipara. Journal of Zoology Research 2: 1-16.

Boulenger, G.A. (1920): Monograph of the Lacertidae. Vol. 1. British Museum of Natural History, London.

Brown, R.W., Lawrence, M.J. & Pope, J. (1984): The country life guide to animals of Britain and Europe. Country life Books, Middlesex.

Cavin, L. (1993): Observations d'individus mélaniques chez le lezard vivipare (Lacerta vivipara Jasquin, 1787) et le lezard des souches (Lacerta agilis Linné, 1758). Bulletin de la Societe Herpétologie de France 65-66: 76-78.

Dély, O.G. & Böhme, W. (1984): Lacerta vivipara Jacquin 1787 – Waldeidechse. In: Böhme, W. (ed.), Handbuch ser Reptilien und Amphibien Europas, 2/1, Echsen II. AULA, Wiesbaden: 362393.

Forsman, A. (1995): Opposing fitness consequences of colour pattern in male and female snakes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 8: 53-70.

Gvoždík, L. (1999): Colour polymorphism in a population of the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae). Folia Zoologica 48(2): 131-136.

Jambrich, A. & Jandzik, D. (2012): Melanism in the topotypic population of the Pannonian subspecies of the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara pannonica (Reptilia: Lacertidae).

Herpetology Notes 5: 219-221.

Krecsák, L. & Hartel, T. (2001): Fekete színű fürge gyík a Szent Anna-tó környékérŐl [A black specimen of the sand lizard from the region of St. Anna Lake]. Terrárium 3(3): 12-23.

Luiselli, L. (1992): Reproductive success in melanistic adders: a new hypothesis and some considerations on Andrén and Nilson's (1981) suggestions. Oikos 64: 601-604.

Monney, J.C., Luiselli, L., Capula, M. (1995): Correlates of melanism in a population of adders 43

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 41–44 ISSN: 1848-2007

(Vipera berus) from the Swiss Alps and comparisons with other alpine populations.

Amphibia-Reptilia 16: 323-330.

Petzold, H.G. (1978): Nigrinos von Lacerta vivipara aus der Umgebung Berlins (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae). Salamandra 14: 98-100.

San-Jose, L.M., Gonzales-Jimena, V. & Fitze, P.S. (2008): Frequency and phenotypic differences of melanistic and normally coloured common lizards, Lacerta (Zootoca) vivipara of the Southern Pyrenees (Spain). Herpetological Review 39: 422-425.

Szyndlar, Z. (1980): The herpetofauna of the Western Bieszczady Mts. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia 24: 299-336.

Tanaka, K. (2007): Thermal biology of a colourdimoprhic snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata, in a montane forest: do melanistic snakes enjoy thermal advantages? Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 92(2): 309-332.

Tosini, G., Lanza, B. & Bacci, M. (1991): Skin reflectance and energy input of melanic and nonmelanic populations of wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). pp. 443-448. In Korsós, Z. & Kiss, I. (eds.). Proceedings of the Sixth Ordinary General Meeting, Budapest (SEH–HNHM).

Photo note

Iković et al. 2014

Trócsányi, B. & Korsós, Z. (2004): Recurring melanism in a population of the common wall lizard: numbers and phenotypes. Salamandra, Rheinbach 40 (1): 81-90.

Urošević, A. (2014): Record of a melanistic Dalmatian Algyroides, Algyroides nigropunctatus (Duméril & Bibron 1839) (Squamata, Lacertidae), on the Island of Corfu, Greece. Hyla 2014(1): 1317.

Vroonen, J., Vervust, B. & Damme, R.V. (2013): Melanin-based colouration as a potential indicator of male quality in the lizard Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae). Amphibia-Reptilia 34: 539-549.

Westrin, L. (1985): Melanistic common lizard, Lacerta vivipara (Jacquin), found in Sweden.

Fauna och flora 80: 37-38.

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Gvozdnović & Iković 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Egg incubation period in the Hermann’s tortoise Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Testudines, Cryptodira, Testudinidae)

Period inkubacije jaja kopnene kornjače Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 (Testudines, Cryptodira, Testudinidae) SLAĐANA GVOZDENOVIĆ*¹, VUK IKOVIĆ¹ ¹Montenegrin Ecologist Society, Bulevar Sv. Petra Cetinjskog 73, Podgorica, Crna Gora *Corresponding author: sladjana87gvozdenovic@yahoo.com

During fieldwork near the Prijevor village

On the 2nd June 2014 around 16:00, we

(Budva Municipality, Montenegro: 42° 17′ 26.30″

observed a large female tortoise digging a nest. The

N; 18° 48′ 59.90″ E), we observed a female

tortoise was in the open, beside an asphalt village

Hermann’s tortoise digging a nest (Fig. 1).

road. The vegetation of the given area is macchia,

Hermann’s tortoises are active from March until the

where the dominant plants are: Quercus ilex,

end

Phillyrea

of

October

(Vetter

reproductive activities peak and

August-September

2006),

and

their

during March-April (Kaufmann

media,

Juniperus

oxycedrus,

Rosa

sempervirens, Smilax aspera, Ruscus aculeatus,

1992,

Myrtus communis, Laurus nobilis, Rubia peregrina,

Willemsen & Hailey 2003, Vetter 2006, Loy &

and Salvia officinalis. We photographed the

Cianfrani 2009). Egg laying occurs at the end of

tortoise, marked the place with stones where the

May or the beginning of June (Eendebak 2001,

nest was, and did not disturb the animal. We visited

Vetter 2006). Incubation lasts for about 60 days

the place again in the morning of 3 June and took a

(Cutuli et al. 2013). According to Cruce & Răducan

photo of the eggs (Fig. 2), and decided to survey

(1976), Cheylan (1981) and Nougarède (1998)

the nest every 4–5 days from the 2nd June to the

incubation time ranges from 90–124 days in the

7th August. When we visited it on the 15th August

wild, and from 56–102 days under artifical

we found it empty, and assumed that the young had

conditions within a range of temperatures from 22–

hatched and left the nest. We found several small

35°C (Kirche 1967; Ehrengart 1971; Esteban 1987;

remains of egg shells near the nest. We calculated

Hailey & Lombourdis 1990; Eendebak 1995).

that the eggs were incubated for 67–75 days (71 ±

Nesting activities usually start in the morning or at

4), which is in accordance with previous findings

the end of the day (Swingland & Stubbs 1985,

(Eendebak 1995; Bertolero et al. 2011).

Fertard 1992).

45

Photo note

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, Str. 45-46

Gvozdnović & Iković 2014

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Figure 1. Hermann’s tortoise digging a nest on 2 June.

Figure 2. Hermann’s tortoise eggs photographed on 3

Slika 1. Kopnena kornjača koja kopa gnijezdo 2.

June.

lipnja.

Slika 2. Jaja kopnene kornjače fotografirana 3 lipnja.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are very thankfull to the the two anonymous reviewers who reviewed this paper.

REFERENCES Cruce, M. & Răducan, I. (1976): Reproducerea la broasca testoasăde uscat (Testudo hermanni hermanni G.). Revue Roumaine de Biologie.

Serie Biologie Animale 28: 175-180.

Cheylan, M. (1981): Biologie et écologie de la tortue d’Hermann Testudo hermanni Gmelin 1789. Contribution de l’espèce a la connaissance des climats quaternaires de la France.

Montpellier: Mémoires et Travaux de l’Institut de Montpellier (E.P.H.E.), Vol. 13, 382 pp.

Cutuli, G., Cannici, S. & Vannini, M. (2013): Influence of mating order on courtship displays and stored sperm utilization in Hermann's tortoises Testudo hermanni hermanni. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 67: 273-281.

Ehrengart, W. (1971): Zur pflege und zucht der Griechischen Land-schildkröte (Testudo hermanni hermanni). Salamandra 7: 71-80.

Esteban, I. (1987): Estudio de la reproducción de Testudo hermanni (Gmelin) en cautividad.

Aquamar 27: 12-20.

Eendebak, B.T. (1995): Incubation period and sex ratio of Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni boettgeri. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1: 227-231.

Eendebak, B.T. (2001): Incubation period and sex ratio of Testudo hermanni boettgeri. Prepared for presentation at the International Congress on Testudo Genus. Gonfaron-Hyères-France. March 7-10, 2001.

Fertard, B. (1992): Etude des caractéristiques radiographiques et chronologiques de la ponte

chez Testudo hermanni en semi-liberté. In: Chelonian Pathology. Gonfaron, France: Editions SOPTOM, pp. 190-199.

Hailey, A. & Loumbourdis, N.S. (1990): Population ecology and conservation of tortoises: demographic aspects of reproduction in Testudo hermanni. Herpetological Journal 1: 425-434.

Kaufmann, J.H. (1992): The social behavior of wood turtles, Clemmys insculpta, in Central Pennsylvania. Herpetological Monographs 6: 125.

Kirsche, W. (1967): Zur haltung zucht und ethologie der Griechis-chen Landschildkröte (Testudo hermanni hermanni). Salamandra 3: 3666.

Loy, A. & Cianfrani, C. (2009): The ecology of Eurotestudo h. hermanni in a mesic area of southern Italy: first evidence of sperm storage.

Ethology, Ecology & Evolution 22: 1-16.

Nougarède, J.P. (1998): Principaux traits d’histoire naturelle d’une population de tortue d’Hermann (Testudo hermanni) dans le sud de la Corse.

Diplôme de l’Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Montpellier, France.

Swingland, I. & Stubbs, D. (1985): The ecology of a Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermanni): reproduction. Journal of Zoology, London 205: 595-610.

Vetter, H. (2006): Hermann’s tortoise, Boettger’s and Dalmatian tortoises. Chelonian Library, Edition Chimaira. Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 325 pp.

Willemsen, R.E. & Hailey, A. (2003): Sexual dimorphism of body size and shell shape in European tortoises. Journal of Zoology, London 260: 353-365.

46

Short communication

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The first record of a melanistic Eastern Green Lizard, Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Lacertidae), in Croatia Prvi nalaz melanističnog zelembaća, Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Lacertidae), u Hrvatskoj JURICA STOŠIĆ Croatian Herpetological Society, Lipovac I., br. 7, Zagreb, jur.stosic@gmail.com

On 29 May 2011 an adult specimen of the

terrain is rough but fairly level, the slope is less than

with

4%. Other herpetofauna species were also recorded

melanistic coloured skin was seen at the area of

on the site: Anguis fragilis, Coronella austriaca,

Prapuće - Krči (Ogulin, Croatia) (N 45.263974°; E

Zamenis longissimus, Bufo bufo and the non-native

15.216242°, 337 m a.s.l.) (Fig. 1). It was found

Testudo hermanni.

about one hour before sunset, at about 19.30 hrs. The

Melanism

Eastern

Green

Lizard

(Lacerta

viridis)

occurs

occasionally

among

specimen was caught, photographed and released.

lacertid lizards and it is seen in this species too

The habitat at the locality was also photographed.

(Arnold & Ovenden 2002). This kind of colouration

The sex of the animal was not determined. It was not

seems to be more common on some locations, higher

measured or marked. Based on the photo it seems to

altitudes or in smaller isolated populations because

be about 30 cm long, with the tail. The dorsal

of genetic drift. It is considered an ecological

colouration and sides of the specimen's body was

adaptation to a certain environment. In the thermal

uniformly black. The ventral side and limb scale

melanism

margins were dark yellow. The tail was a normal

reflectance) is an advantage during colder times,

brownish colouration (Fig. 2).

since melanistic individuals can heat up faster than

hypothesis,

melanism

(low

skin

This is the first reliable sighting of a totally

normal coloured ones. The assumption is that in

black Green Lizard in Croatia, at least in recent

polymorphic populations melanistic specimens need

times. Rare reported cases of melanism in the

a shorter time for basking and they have better heat

Lacerta viridis complex were also mentioned in the

conservation, a longer period of daily and seasonal

literature of neighbouring countries, e.g. Austria

activity and finally better fitness or body size

(Werner 1897) and Hungary (Korsos & Nagy 2006).

(Clusella-Trullas et al. 2008). More recent research

A week after the sighting, the location was searched

(Tanaka 2009) proves that thermal advantage of

more systematically. An additional 15 fifteen Green

melanism in nature may be more limited in scope

Lizards were found, all of them of with normal

than has been assumed. Because of that the function

colouration (Fig. 3).

and adaptive value of melanism in ectotherms stays

The climate of the Ogulin valley is

controversial.

continental (Cfb) according to the Köppen climate

It is unknown if melanism can be a

classification. The habitat on the area of Krči is a

handicap in regards to the choosing of a mate. But an

mosaic

experiment proved that dark morphs are at greater

landscape:

uncultivated

land,

smaller

extensive orchards and mown gardens (Fig. 1). The

47

Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, 47-50 ISSN: 1848-2007

risk from visually searching predators (Gvoždík 1999).

REFERENCES Arnold, N. & Ovenden, D. (2002): A field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Britain and Europe.

Harper Collins Publishers, London, UK, pp.138.

Boulenger, E. G. (1913): Exhibition of a living melanotic specimen of the green Lizard.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1913 (3-4): p. 546.

Clusella-Trullas, S., Terblanche, J. S., Blackburn, T. M. & Chown, S.L. (2008): Testing the thermal melanism hypothesis: a macrophysiological approach. Functional ecology 22: 232-238.

Gvoždík, L. (1999): Colour polymorphism in a population of the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae). Folia Zoologica 48 (2): 131-136.

Short communication Stošić 2014

Korsós, Z. & Nagy, Z. T. (2006): Kurzbericht über ein vollständig melanotisches Exemplar der Smaragdeidechse, Lacerta viridis (LAURENTI, 1768) in Ungarn. Die Eidechse 17 (2): 42-46.

Nikolić, T. (ur.) (2015): Flora Croatica Database.

Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Botanički zavod, On-Line <http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd>. Pristupljeno 5. veljače 2015.

Tanaka, K. (2009): Does the thermal advantage of melanism produce size differences in colordimorphic snakes? Zoological Science 26: 698703.

Werner, F. (1897): Die Reptilien und Amphibien Österreich-Ungarns und der Occupationsländer.

Pichler's Witwe & Sohn, Wien. p.33.

48

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Stošić 2014

Figure 1. Location in which a melanistic L. viridis was recorded, and the habitat type at this location.

Slika 1. Lokacija nalazišta melanističkog L. viridis u Hrvatskoj i tip staništa na nalazištu.

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Hyla VOL. 2014., No. 2, 47-50

Short communication Stošić 2014

ISSN: 1848-2007

Figure 2. The melanistic Lacerta viridis. Lighter coloured ventral scales is visible here.

Slika 2. Melanistični obični zelembać Lacerta viridis.Vidljive su svjetlije ventralne ljuske.

Figure 3. Normally-coloured L. viridis from the same locality.

Slika 3. Uobičajeno obojen obični zelembać L. viridis s istog lokaliteta.

50