Survey of the amphibians in “Fânațele Clujului – Copârșaie”, part of the “Dealurile Clujului de Est” (ROSCI0295) Natura 2000 protected area

As habitat loss poses challenge to conservation, it is becoming increasingly important to address questions about the extent to which connectivity between habitat patches is changing, and how this affects the local population of different species in these patches. The objective of our research was to monitor ponds and the pond-breeding amphibian species in a protected area. Therefore, we conducted day and night surveys, and compare the data collected in 2022 with the results of the latest available survey (2019), to simulate the patch occupancy of amphibian species over a 25-year timeframe. We found that combining the species occupancy data collected from both day and night surveys lead to higher patch occupancy values and higher number of registered individuals, compared to data collected only during daytime. The number of ponds decreased from 2019 to 2022, and further habitat loss could result in the disappearance of the local population if the area continues to dry out. Climate and landscape change could be major contributors to habitat loss in the future, therefore, in order to ensure the persistence of these local populations, we recommend the development of climate and habitat scenarios, and the planning of conservation measures based on these scenarios

New data on the distribution of Darevskia pontica (Lantz and Cyrén, 1919) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Romania: filling a significant gap

The distribution of the meadow lizard, Darevskia pontica, in Romania is still inadequately documented. In the light of new distribution data reported here and gleaned from the literature, the species is more widely distributed in the country. The distribution seems to be continuous in southern Romania, even if fragmented and associated with extant woodland patches. The present distribution pattern could be the result of extensive deforestation process in the area, which isolated this forest lizard to remnant patches, as already indicated in the literature

New data on the distribution of <em>Darevskia pontica</em> (Lantz and Cyrén, 1919) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Romania: filling a significant gap

The distribution of the meadow lizard, Darevskia pontica, in Romania is still inadequately documented. In the light of new distribution data reported here and gleaned from the literature, the species is more widely distributed in the country. The distribution seems to be continuous in southern Romania, even if fragmented and associated with extant woodland patches. The present distribution pattern could be the result of extensive deforestation process in the area, which isolated this forest lizard to remnant patches, as already indicated in the literature

Thermoconformity even in hot small temporary water bodies: a case study in yellow-bellied toad (Bombina v. variegata)

Abstract. The small sized yellow-bellied toad inhabits small temporary water bodies. These puddles are used by this species in both open landscapes and closed forested habitats. The thermal characteristics of these puddles in the open and closed habitat types showed considerable difference. In laboratory conditions the toad selected a narrow and low preferred temperature range (20.5-23.3°C). The measured voluntary thermal maximum (VTMaxwater) and critical thermal maximum (CTMax) was 35.9 ± 1.3°C, and 38.3 ± 0.5°C respectively. In the field, the toads using the surface water layer were thermoconformers irrespective of the actual thermal environment. The high VTMaxwater and CTMax presumably permit the use of such a thermoregulatory strategy

Direct negative density-dependence in a pond-breeding frog population

Understanding population dynamics is critical for the management of animal populations. Comparatively little is known about the relative importance of endogenous (i.e. density-dependent) and exogenous (i.e. density-independent) factors on the population dynamics of amphibians with complex life cycles. We examined the potential effects of density-dependent and -independent (i.e. climatic) factors on population dynamics by analyzing a 15-yr time series data of the agile frog Rana dalmatina population from Târnava Mare Valley, Romania. We used two statistical models: 1) the partial rate correlation function to identify the feedback structure and the potential time lags in the time series data and 2) a Gompertz state-space model to simultaneously investigate direct and delayed density dependence as well as climatic effects on population growth rate. We found evidence for direct negative density dependence, whereas delayed density dependence and climate did not show a strong influence on population growth rate. Here we demonstrated that direct density dependence rather than delayed density dependence or climate determined the dynamics of our study population. Our results confirm the findings of many experimental studies and suggest that density dependence may buffer amphibian populations against environmental stress. Consequently, it may not be easy to scale up from individual-level effects to population-level effects

Unravelling the origin of the common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) in south-eastern Europe using mitochondrial evidence

The origin of the common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) populations in south-eastern Europe (namely in Bulgaria and Romania), representing the north-eastern range border of this species, was addressed using mitochondrial DNA. We compared cytochrome b sequences from Bulgaria and Romania with those from the contiguous range in Central Europe that are available from previous studies. We recorded five main haplogroups in Bulgaria and Romania, belonging to the Central Balkan clade. However, haplogroup III was recorded in more localities than previously found. Additionally, signs of haplotype admixture were identified in several populations along the Danube River. The presence of the Southern Alps haplotype in one population from Otopeni, Bucharest (Romania) and its close phylogenetic relationships to north Italy populations suggests human-mediated introductions of this wall lizard clade in Romania. Our results confirm that P. muralis can have non-native lineages and admixture through active human-mediated transport

Molecular data confirm recent fluctuations of northern border of dice snake (Natrix tessellata) range in Eastern Europe

Herein we present the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) based phylogeography of the dice snake (Natrix tessellata) in Eastern Europe and The Balkans. Eight haplotypes were identified. Phylogenetic reconstruction has showed 3 major clades: 1) Greece, 2) Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, 3) Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Russia only). Our data are in concordance with the results of other studies of the species' phylogeography. The northernmost isolated population of the dice snake in Lipetsk province, Russia have no differences from neighboring Ukrainian populations and seems to be the result of recent colonization during the Holocene climatic optimum.Ministry of education and science of Republic of Serbia [173025

Molecular data confirm recent fluctuations of northern border of dice snake (Natrix tessellata) range in Eastern Europe

Herein we present the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) based phylogeography of the dice snake (Natrix tessellata) in Eastern Europe and The Balkans. Eight haplotypes were identified. Phylogenetic reconstruction has showed 3 major clades: 1) Greece, 2) Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, 3) Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Russia only). Our data are in concordance with the results of other studies of the species' phylogeography. The northernmost isolated population of the dice snake in Lipetsk province, Russia have no differences from neighboring Ukrainian populations and seems to be the result of recent colonization during the Holocene climatic optimum.Ministry of education and science of Republic of Serbia [173025