Papers by Iulian Gherghel
Human activities cause habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation of reptile habitats and theref... more Human activities cause habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation of reptile habitats and therefore one fifth of the European reptiles are threatened. Vipera ursinii is probably the most threatened snake in Europe. In Eastern Romania V. u. moldavica inhabits steppe and deltaic habitats in Moldavia and the Danube Delta, respectively. Although the habitats are under legal protection they are not free from human influences. Many local studies approached the human impact tangentially. Consequently, we aimed to inventory the human influences in the steppe and deltaic habitats of the meadow viper, and to discuss their potential harm to the viper populations. The identification of potential threats is particularly important because it sets the base on which conservation management may be developed. The human activities identified in the study areas are: grazing, mowing, fire, agriculture, roads, constructions, leisure activities, afforestation, cynegetic species management, persecution, illegal collection, and littering. Human impact is stronger in the Danube Delta then in Moldavia, but the deltaic population is larger and therefore probably more resistant to extinction. The steppe habitat from Valea lui David (Moldavia) is threatened by urban sprawl in the near future. The anthropic influences on the Vipera ursinii moldavica habitats and populations must be monitored in the future, in order to identify in time the changes that may lead to an imbalance, which would lead to extinction.
In the era of information, the necessity to biological data to be widely available over the inter... more In the era of information, the necessity to biological data to be widely available over the internet is almost imperative. With this end in view, many worldwide databases was created (like Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Ocean Biogeographic Information System, HerpNet etc.), but, unfortunately none of Romanian museums or universities have any contribution to it. I take this opportunity to suggest that all curators of museum and herbarium collections should provide open data of their collections over the internet. In my opinion, if this process is applied it will increase the rate of international collaborations of Romanian authors, and the animals and plants from these collections will be more studied than in the present.
North-Western Journal of Zoology
Our study focused upon an area for which almost no data regarding the herpetofauna previously exi... more Our study focused upon an area for which almost no data regarding the herpetofauna previously existed. The data collected during our preliminary investigations indicate the presence of 7 amphibian species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Bufo viridis, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus) and 7 reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis longissimus and Dolichophis caspius) in the research area. The hybrid Pelophlylax kl. esculentus was also identified in the lower Prut river basin. Most of the identified species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Emys orbicularis, Natrix tessellata and Zamenis longissimus) are now mentioned for the first time in the area. Pelophylax ridibundus, Bufo viridis, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix are the most widespread species in the area while Triturus dobrogicus, Natrix tessellata, Dolichophis caspius and Zamenis longissimus are the rarest species, from a distributional point of view. The most important herpetofaunal areas seem to be the forested sectors and swamps from the center of the region as well as the larger ponds, swamps and artificial canals from the Prut river meadow.
Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis (Sauria, Lacertidae) comprises 20 currently recognized species... more Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis (Sauria, Lacertidae) comprises 20 currently recognized species in southern Europe, where they are the predominant reptile group. The taxonomy of Podarcis is complex and unstable. Based on DNA sequence data the species of Podarcis fall into four main groups that have substantial geographic coherence (Western Island group, South-western group, Italian group and Balkan group). The Balkan species are divided in two subgroups: the subgroup of P. tauricus (P. tauricus, P. milensis, P. gaigeae and P. melisellensis), and the subgroup of P. erhardii (P. erhardii and P. peloponnesiacus). Here, we explored tauricus's taxonomy and investigated the evolutionary history of the species by employing phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches and using both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (msats) markers. The phylogenetic relationships and the genetic distances retrieved, supported the monophyly of Podarcis tauricus group and suggest that P. gaigeae, P. mile...
Ecological Informatics, 2015
Landscapes and their structure are important in shaping the distribution of species and the compo... more Landscapes and their structure are important in shaping the distribution of species and the composition of communities. Since a landscape contains elements that are less permeable to dispersal, species use corridors of habitat suitable to movements that maintain the genetic flow among populations. Corridors have been widely used in conservation biology, but less often to study the connectivity between species' allopatric ranges. In this study, we analyzed the distribution and connectivity patterns of the Danube Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus), a species found in the Danube river basin and whose range is separated by the Carpathian Mountains in two regions, eastern and western. Despite the geographical barrier and clear morphological differentiation between the populations of the two regions, recent genetic analyses suggest maintenance of genetic flow. The aims of our study were (1) to estimate the dispersal ability of the Danube Crested Newt and the connectivity (via corridors) between populations and (2) to identify possible pathways used by the species to cross the Carpathian Mountains barrier. We found that the landscape facilitates a higher population connectivity in the western range than in the eastern range of the species. Moreover, we identified two major migration pathways, along the Iron Gate Canyon and the Timiş -Cerna Gap, that may connect all known occurrences from the two regions separated by the Carpathian Mountains. As an alternative dispersal hypothesis, we also discussed the possibility that the Danube Crested Newt is passively dispersed by water, down the Danube river flow direction. Our study provides support for the assertion that even when a species' distribution is separated in two ranges by a geographical barrier, connectivity between populations via corridors can persist.
HERPETOLOGICA, 2010
Paedomorphosis is a widely distributed evolutionary change of salamanders and newts, where larval... more Paedomorphosis is a widely distributed evolutionary change of salamanders and newts, where larval structures remain in adult animals due to hard conditions of the terrestrial environment (e.g. . This feature is considered to be both genetically and environmentally influenced in the choice to keep the larval structures as adults (e.
Biharean Biologist, 2007
Abstract. The smooth snake is a rare species in eastern Romania (the historical region of Moldavi... more Abstract. The smooth snake is a rare species in eastern Romania (the historical region of Moldavia). In september 2007, an adult smooth snake was found near the Stânca-Costeşti reservoir, Botosani County. This is the first ever record of this snake species in Botosani County and also represents the north-easternmost record for this species in Romania. Key words: Coronella austriaca, first record, Botoşani county, Romania.
Advances in Environmental Sciences, 2009
The Carpathian Corner region (Buzău and Vrancea Counties) is one of the Romanian areas in which ... more The Carpathian Corner region (Buzău and Vrancea Counties) is one of the Romanian areas in which data on the herpetofauna is most scarce. The adder (Vipera berus), a widespread but threatened Romanian snake species, has been previously recorded in the Carpathian Corner area around 50 years ago but its presence in the area has not been recently reconfirmed. Here we give the first locality record for the adder in Vrancea County and two new records for the species in Buzău County, by means of ...
Herpetologica Romanica, 2009
Abstract: The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis, Linnaeus 1758) has one of the widest distribution rang... more Abstract: The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis, Linnaeus 1758) has one of the widest distribution ranges of the palearctic species. L. a. euxinica has an isolated distribution, being present only in the Danube Delta and some vicinal locations from the Black Sea coast in Romania. During several expeditions in the Danube Delta, we have observed L. a. euxinica specimens with the “erythronotus” colour morph in two locations. One is near the town of Sulina and one is near the village of Sfântu Gheorghe. From the latter location, we ...
Herpetologica Romanica, 2007
Due to the scarce available data about urban populations of amphibians and reptiles in Romania, t... more Due to the scarce available data about urban populations of amphibians and reptiles in Romania, the authors of the present paper aimed to investigate the composition and distribution of the herpetofauna from the urban and peri-urban environments from a city from North-Eastern Romania (the city of Suceava), establish which human activities pose the most serious threat for the herpetofauna, which species are the most vulnerable to human caused ecological stress and which species are the most adaptable when faced with urbanization. 11 species of amphibians (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidelea viridis, Pelophylax lessonae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria) and 5 reptile (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix) species have been recorded in the research area, as well as Pelophylax kl. esculentus and Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata. The most important herpetofaunal areas are two peri-urban environments, one of which is a man-made environment. The species that seem to be the most capable to adapt and survive in urban conditions are Pseudopidelea viridis and the species from the Pelophylax esculentus complex, although all species of amphibians and reptiles are threatened in many ways by urbanization.
Abstract. Since 2001, the authors of this paper have been conducting herpetological surveys in Su... more Abstract. Since 2001, the authors of this paper have been conducting herpetological surveys in Suceava County, studying the composition and geographical distribution of the native amphibian and reptile species, time in which we have identified 16 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus montandoni, Triturus cristatus, Triturus alpestris, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana lessonae, Rana ridibunda, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria & Rana ...
North-Western Journal of Zoology, 2008
Our study focused upon an area for which almost no data regarding the herpetofauna previously exi... more Our study focused upon an area for which almost no data regarding the herpetofauna previously existed. The data collected during our preliminary investigations indicate the presence of 7 amphibian species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Bufo viridis, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus) and 7 reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis longissimus and Dolichophis caspius) in the research area. The hybrid Pelophlylax kl. esculentus was also identified in the lower Prut river basin. Most of the identified species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus dobrogicus, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Emys orbicularis, Natrix tessellata and Zamenis longissimus) are now mentioned for the first time in the area. Pelophylax ridibundus, Bufo viridis, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix are the most widespread species in the area while Triturus dobrogicus, Natrix tessellata, Dolichophis caspius and Zamenis longissimus are the rarest species, from a distributional point of view. The most important herpetofaunal areas seem to be the forested sectors and swamps from the center of the region as well as the larger ponds, swamps and artificial canals from the Prut river meadow.
Acta Herpetologica, Dec 28, 2009
During 2005-2008, field observations were made on the distribution and habitat occupation by Poda... more During 2005-2008, field observations were made on the distribution and habitat occupation by Podarcis muralis in the middle Bistrita river basin. Prior to our study, this lizard was known from only 5 localities in Romanian Moldavia (Bicaz, Cheile Bicazului, Lacu Roşu, Gherman and Dodeni). Through the present paper the authors acknowledge the existence of 28 sites populated by P. muralis in Moldavia and propose a new model for the range expansion of the species in the area using man-made structures such as road and ...
pathways, 2007
Abstract. Dolichophis caspius is a common snake species in Dobrudja (Tulcea and Constanta countie... more Abstract. Dolichophis caspius is a common snake species in Dobrudja (Tulcea and Constanta counties) and in some areas from south-western Romania (Banat region). However, this species has only been cited in 2 localities in the eastern part of Romania (Moldavia) and has not been recorded since 1937. In the Romanian red data book of vertebrates, the Moldavian populations of Dolichophis caspius are listed as extinct. The present paper provides evidence that the large whip snake still occurs in the Romanian ...
Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, Jan 9, 2016
Morphological and DNA data support that the East Mediterranean snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaib... more Morphological and DNA data support that the East Mediterranean snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii represents a species complex that includes four species A. kitaibelii, A. budaki, Α. chernovi, and A. rueppellii, highlighting the need of its taxonomic reevaluation. Here, we used Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of all members of the complex based on two mitochondrial (cyt b, 16S rRNA) and two nuclear markers (MC1R, and NKTR) and using Chalcides, Eumeces, and Eutropis as outgroups. The biogeographic history of the complex was also investigated through the application of several phylogeographic (BEAST) and biogeographic (BBM) analyses. Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic data were used to support the inferred phylogeographic patterns. The A. kitaibelli species complex exhibits high genetic diversity, revealing cases of hidden diversity and cases of non-monophyletic species such as A. kitaibelii and A. budaki. Our results indicate that...
The present study concerns an area in which the herpetofauna has not been properly studied till p... more The present study concerns an area in which the herpetofauna has not been properly studied till present day. As a result of field work we identified 14 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, L. montandoni, Mesotriton alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, B. variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, B. viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana temporaria and R. dalmatina) and 8 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis, L. viridis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca and Vipera berus) in the 31 investigated localities. Also, in the studied area, 2 types of hybrid amphibians have been identified: Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata and Pelophylax kl. esculentus (P. lessonae X P. ridibundus). The species Lacerta viridis has been identified for the first time in the county of Suceava. We identified a total of 260 localities for the distribution of the herpetofauna, of which 235 are new for the Romanian herpetofauna. The vertical distribution of the amphibians and reptiles species is analyzed and discussed.
The present paper represents a contribution to the knowledge regarding the current composition an... more The present paper represents a contribution to the knowledge regarding the current composition and distribution of the herpetological fauna from a poorly surveyed Romanian region (Vaslui County, Eastern Romania). We confirm the presence of most of the recently recorded amphibian and reptile species from the region (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, P. kl. esculentus, Rana dalmatina, Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis and Natrix natrix), give the first recent records for two species (Coronella austriaca and Vipera berus) which have not been recorded in the county since the 1960's and also give the first ever record for the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) in Vaslui County.
North Western Journal of Zoology, 2008
The present paper contains the results of a 7 year faunistical study upon the amphibian and repti... more The present paper contains the results of a 7 year faunistical study upon the amphibian and reptile species from the Bistriţa river basin. We recorded 14 species of amphibians (
The already rich inventory of herpetofaunal records in Bacãu County is increased with 405 new rec... more The already rich inventory of herpetofaunal records in Bacãu County is increased with 405 new records of 23 amphibian and reptile species from 54 localities, including a species now firstly found in the county. Some data regarding the habitat preferences of the recorded species are also given, especially if local populations show peculiar characteristics in this respect. Podarcis muralis is firstly recorded in Bacãu county. When available from long-term observations, tentative data on the multiyear dynamics of some species are given, showing decline in some of these.
Uploads
Papers by Iulian Gherghel