Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii “Al.I. Cuza” Iaşi, s.

Biologie animală, Tom LI, 2005

THE HERPETOFAUNA IN THE DISTRICT OF DOLJ

(ROMANIA)
BY

VIOREL LAZĂR1, SEVERUS-DANIEL COVACIU-MARCOV2, ISTVÁN SAS2,

CLAUDIU PUSTA2, ÉVA-HAJNALKA KOVÁCS2

Keywords: herpetofauna, Dolj district

In Dolj district we have identified 10 species of Amphibians: Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris,
Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus,
Rana ridibunda and Rana dalmatina, as well as Rana esculenta. In the area, there are 8 species of
reptiles: Emys orbicularis, Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis taurica, Zootoca
praticola, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix and Coluber caspius. Coluber caspius is to be seen for the
first time in the region.

Introduction
The herpetofauna of the Dolj district has been little studied so far. The most
complete Romanian study about the herpetofauna had not included data about
Amphibians and the Reptiles in Dolj, reporting only to Transilvania (Ghira et al 2002).
Some of the oldest information about the herpetofauna of Dolj district are to be found in
Calinescu's volume (Calinescu 1930). The most complete data about the herpetofauna of
Dolj and Romania are registered in the volumes of P.R.R. Fauna about Amphibians and
Reptiles (Fuhn 1960, Fuhn and Vancea 1961).
Subsequently, some articles about the herpetofauna of Dolj have been
published, mostly about the ecology or ethology of some Reptile species (Cruce 1970,
1971 a, 1972, 1974). There are few data (concerning the whole of Oltenia) about the
geographical spread of the herpetofauna of Dolj (Cruce 1971 b). The latest data about
the Amphibians in Dolj are to be noticed in Cogalniceanu's papers (Cogalniceanu 1991,
Cogalniceanu et al 2000). So, there are few studies on the herpetofauna of Dolj district,
compared to other regions in Romania, such as the western area, where complete studies
have been made lately (Covaciu - Marcov et al 2000, 2002, 2003 a, b, c, d, e, f, 2004,
Ghira et al 2002). In context, we have made a series of studies on the composition and
geographical spread of the local herpetofauna, this paper representing a first
contribution, and it contains preliminary data.

______________________________
1
„Nicolae Tituleacu” National College – Craiova
2
University of Oradea
 Viorel Lazăr and all.

Material and methods

Our study took place between 2002-2003. We have analysed the herpetofauna
of the whole Dolj district, by examining a large part of it. Dolj district is placed in the
southern-western part of Romania (Tufescu 1986). The largest past of the teritory we
have studied is a plain area. In the northern-western part one can notice a part of Strehaia
platform, and in the north, a small part of Oltet platform. The district is crossed, from
north to south, by the river Jiu. The district's temperature is higher compared to other
regions in Romania (Stoenescu et al 1996).
In order to establish the geographical spread of the local herpetofauna, we have
used as a method the transects (Cogalniceanu 1997). Generally, the animals have been
identified directly, without being caught, using the direct observation method (Brown
1997). When we had to catch some types, this practice was done using usually the hand.
The amphibians have been caught using a square drag or round nets, set to some long
metallic sticks. After the animals have been identified, they were released in the places
where they have been caught. An important role was played by the identification of dead
animals, killed either by local people or run by cars. For each identified species we have
made a list with the places where this one was found. The final list comprises the new
identified places, in a certain place in the region having found more Amphibians species.

Results and discussions

In the Dolj district we have identified 18 species of the herpetofauna and a
hybrid category between 2 Amphibian species. Among the 18 species, 10 are
Amphibians: Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Bufo
viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Rana ridibunda and Rana
dalmatina. We have identified a hybrid population between Rana ridibunda and Rana
lessonae, which used to be considered as part of Rana esculenta. The Reptiles are
represented by 8 species: Emys orbicularis, Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta viridis,
Podarcis taurica, Zootoca practicola, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix and Coluber
caspius. Coluber caspius is for the first time in the region we have studied.
By this study, we have identified in Dolj 232 localities for the 18 species and a
hybrid form met in the 56 places we have studied. In table 1 we have shown how these
species are spread in the respective places.
Triturus cristatus (Laurenti 1786) is spread in the northern and central parts of
Dolj. We have not identified ridge tritons in the remote southern part of the district,
where Triturus dobrogicus has previously been recorded (Cogalniceanu et al 2000). It
lives mostly in forest areas, not only in the forests from the Jiu meadows, but also in the
forests from the district’s north-west hills. One can meet it down to 100 m, though in
Romania it is considered to be living in high areas (Fuhn 1953, Arntzen & Borkin 1997).
In the western part of the country it only lives down to 150 m (Covaciu-Marcov et al
2003 b). Generally, it lives in small biotopes, such as the temporary valleys from Seaca
de Padure and Picaturile forests. It only lives in larger biotopes in the Jiu meadows.
Triturus vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1785) is widely spread in the district of Dolj,
although it has not been seen in many places before, being identified in just 3 areas
152
 The herpetofauna in the district of Dolj (Romania)

(Cogalniceanu et al 2003). It reproduces in many kinds of aquatic biotopes, being also

noticed in the side road ditches. Generally, it reproduces in the same biotopes as Triturus
cristatus, and the presence of many species of tritons in the same biotope is a common
thing in Europe (Arntzen & De Wijer 1989). One can notice it alone just in small
biotopes, where there are no ridge tritons.
Bombina bombina (Linnaeus, 1761) is one of the most common species of
Amphibians in Dolj. It lives mostly in the south of the district, in the Danube and Jiu
meadows, all over the latter, up to Filiasi. We have also seen it in the hilly area from the
north-west of the district, further on the Strehaia platform. We have also identified
Bombina bombina populations even at 200 m altitude, in Seaca de Padure – Carpen
region. In western Romania, at the same height, we can already notice (Covaciu –
Marcov et al 2000, 2002, 2003), a species that comes down even to 140 m (Covaciu-
Marcov et al 2000). In Dolj, perhaps because of the smooth line between the field and
the low hills allows the fire-bellied toad to get to higher altitudes than in western
Romania. Generally, it lives in large permanent field biotopes, as it is a species typical to
the field fauna in the east and central Europe (Arntzen 1978). In the hilly area, we can
see it in the temporary valleys from inside the forests, which are closer to the ecological
requirements of Bombina bombina. The populations living in the hilly areas are smaller
in number, as the biotopes are smaller.
Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) has been seen mostly in afforested high regions in
northern-western district. But it is even less seen in the low south regions, being a
species that prefers colder areas, as in Câmpia Română it is considered a glacial relic
(Fuhn 1960).
Bufo viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most common species of
Amphibians in the Dolj district, which we have met in 31 places. It is mostly spread in
the lower areas in the Jiu meadows. It is more frequent than Bufo bufo, but, unlike this
one, it is a thermophilic species, originating in the aral-caspian steppe (Stugren 1975),
for which Dolj is a favorable region. In the west of Romania, the situation is the other
way round – Bufo bufo is more frequent (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2000, 2002, 2003).
Hyla arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) is well represented in the region we have
studied, being present not only in the afforested areas in the northern-western district,
but also in the field area in the south. In the Danube meadows we can see it in the reed
areas near the swamps or the canals.
Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti 1768) was hardly seen, although the district provides
good conditions. This is probably due to the fact that one cannot watch is easily, as it is a
nocturnal species (Fuhn 1969). One can see it not only in the Danube meadows, but also
in the northern district, at Filiasi, in the wet areas from the Jiu meadows.
Pelobates syriacus (Boettger 1864) is a rare species in the area we have studied.
We met it in only 2 places in Calafat area, where it was previously seen (Cogalniceanu et
al 20000). One can notice it in the same biotope where Pelobates fuscus lives. We have
also seen dead animals of the both species on the road.
Rana ridibunda (Pallas 1771) is the most common species of Amphibians in the
Dolj district, which we have met in 44 places. It is most frequent in the Danube
153
 Viorel Lazăr and all.

meadows, but, to less extents, we can see it also in the hilly areas, where it goes up along
the brooks. Sometimes, it is also present in the temporary valleys within the forests.
Rana esculenta (Linnaeus 1758) is a hybrid between Rana ridibunda and Rana
lessonae (Berger 1973). It is rare in Dolj, we have only met it at Filiaşi. It is present in
wet areas within the forests in the Jiu meadow, where there are numerous populations. It
has the same biotope as Rana ridibunda.
Rana dalmatina (Bonaparte 1839) is relatively rare in the district of Dolj; it is
mostly seen in the afforested hilly areas in north and north-west of the district.
Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus 1758) is spread in the Danube meadow, where
there are several favourable biotopes. It is also present in the Jiu meadows, and from
here one can see it in the canals of the afforested regions.
Ablepharus kitaibelli (Bibron &Bory 1883) is exclusively present in the
afforested regions. However, it can be also met in the hay fields a few tens of meters
away the forest.
Lacerta viridis (Laurenti 1768) is a common species in Dolj, being spread in
maly places.It is especially met in the hilly areas, being placed at the level of the slopes
covered by bush. It is also present in the Danube meadow, in sand areas.
Podarcis taurica (Pallas 1814) is well-represented in our district. It lives in
different biotopes, not only in sand areas, but also in the gradients near the railways.
Unlike the north-western Romania, where you can see it only in the sandy areas
(Covaciu-Marcov et al 2003), in the district of Dolj the species it is also present in non-
sandy areas.
Zootoca praticola (Eversman 1834) is exclusively present in forest regions, not
only near Craiova, but also in the north-western district, at Seaca de padure. We have
identified it only within the forests, in rare areas, and leafy at the level of the substrate.
Anguis fragilis (Linnaeus 1758) is less frequent in the region we have studied.
We have identified it in only one place, Filiasi, the forests of the Jiu meadows.
Coluber caspius (Gmelin 1789) is for the first time recorded in Dolj's fauna.
Previously, it has been recorded only in the district of Mehedinţi (Fuhn & Vancea 1961).
This species is a rare one in our district - we have met only two types in the Filiasi hills.
On zoogeographical basis, one can suppose that it is more spread in the district, as it is
probably present at least in the hilly area (north-west of the district). This is an area
similar to the one in Mehedinţi, having favourable biotopes for the species. Coluber
caspius has not been previously identified in Dolj, as it was difficult to notice it, being a
quick snake (Fuhn 1969).
Natrix natrix (Linnaeus 1758) is a well-represented species in Dolj, living not
only in the district's hilly areas, but also in the Jiu meadow.

Conclusions
We have studied the composition and geographical spread of the herpetofauna
in the district of Dolj. We have identified 232 places for the 18 species and a hybrid form
in the 56 places we have studied. In Dolj we have identified 18 species of the
herpetofauna and a hybrid category between 2 species of Amphibians. Among the 18
154
 The herpetofauna in the district of Dolj (Romania)

species, 10 are Amphibians: Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina bombina,

Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Rana
ridibunda and Rana dalmatina. We have identified a hybrid population between Rana
ridibunda and Rana lessonae, which were formerly believed as representing the Rana
esculenta species. The Reptiles are represented by 8 species: Emys orbicularis,
Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis taurica, Zootoca praticola, Anguis
fragilis, Natrix natrix and Coluber caspius. Bombina bombina lives in the area we have
studied up to 200 m. Coluber caspius is for the first time recorded in the area we have
studied.

Aknowledgements: We want to thank, to Cicort-Lucaciu A.Şt., Bogdan H.,

(students of Herpetological Club – Oradea), for invaluable help in the field. We also
thank to Mitrache Mihaela (Craiova) for the English translation of this paper.

Bibliography

1. Arntzen, J.W., 1978 - J. Biogeogr., 5, 339 – 345.

2. Arntzen, J. W., DeWiejer, P., 1989 - Brit. Herp. Soc. Bull, 30, 6 – 11.
3. Arntzen J. W., Borkin L., 1997 - pp. 76 – 77. In: Gasc J. P., (ed.). Atlas of
Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe, Museum National D’Histoire
Naturelle, Paris.
4. Berger L., 1973 - J. Herpetol. 7, 1 – 10.
5. Brown L. J., 1997 - Journal of Herpetology, 31, 3, 410 – 419.
6. Călinescu R. I., 1930 - Manual pentru determinarea Amfibiilor şi Reptilelor din
România, Ed. “Casa Şcoalelor” Bucureşti.
7. Cogălniceanu, D., 1991 - Rev. Rom., Biol.-Biol., Anim., 36, 1
8. Cogălniceanu, D., 1997 - Practicum de ecologie al Amfibienilor – Metode şi
tehnici în studiul ecologiei Amfibienilor, Ed. Universităţii din
Bucureşti.
9. Cogălniceanu, D., Aioanei, F., Bogdan, M., 2000 - Amfibienii din România,
Determinator. Ed. Ars Docendi, Bucureşti.
10. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Ghira, I., Venczel, M., 2000 - Nymphaea, Folia naturae
Bihariae, 28, 143 – 158.
11. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Telcean, I., Cupşa, D., Cadleţ, D., Zsurka, R., 2002 -
Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fasc Biologie, 9, 47 – 58.
12. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Telcean, I., Sala, G., Sas, I., Cicort, A., 2003 - a.
Nymphaea, Folia Naturae Bihariae, 30, 127 – 141.
13. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Cupşa, D., Telcean, I., Sas, I., Cicort, A., 2003 - b.
Muzeul Olteniei Craiova. Oltenia, Studii şi Comunicări Ştiinţele
Naturii, 19, 189 – 194.

155
 Viorel Lazăr and all.

14. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Sas, I., Cicort, A., Kovács, É.H., 2003 - c. Studii şi
Cercetări Ştiinţifice, Biologie, 8, 201 – 205.
15. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Sas, I., Cupşa, D., Kovács, É.H., Groza, M., 2003 - d.
Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fasc Biologie, 9, 39 – 48.
16. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Sas, I., Cupşa, D., Meleg, G., Bud, B., 2003 - e. Analele
Universităţii din Oradea, Fasc Biologie, 10, 81 – 95.
17. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Cicort-Lucaciu, A. Şt., Sas, I., Bogdan, H., Peter, V.,
2003 - f. Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fasc Biologie, 10, 111 –
117.
18. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Ghira, I., Sas, I., 2004 - Mediul cercetare, protecţie şi
gestiune, Cluj –Napoca, 2, 107 – 112.
19. Cruce, M., 1970 - Stud. Cerc. Biol., Ser. Zool. 22, 5, 467 – 472.
20. Cruce, M., 1971 - a. Analele Universităţii din Craiova, Seria III, Biologie-
Ştiinţe Agricole, 3 (13), 389 – 393.
21. Cruce, M., 1971 - b. Stud. Cerc. Biol., Ser. Zool. 23, 5, 507 – 516.
22. Cruce, M., 1972 - Stud. Cerc. Biol., Ser. Zool. 24, 3, 263 – 274.
23. Cruce, M., 1974 - Studii şi Cercetări, Slatina, 303 – 307.
24. Fuhn, I., 1953 - Bul. Ştiinţific secţiunea de Ştiinţe Biol. Agro. Geol. şi Geog., 5
(3), 625 – 640.
25. Fuhn, I., 1960 - “Fauna R.P.R.”, vol. XIV, fascicola I, Amphibia. Editura
Academiei R.P.R., Bucureşti.
26. Fuhn, I. 1969 - Broaşte, şerpi, şopârle. Ed. Ştiinţifică, Bucureşti.
27. Fuhn, I., Vancea, Şt., 1961 - “Fauna R.P.R.”, vol. XIV, Fascicola II, Reptilia.
Editura Academiei R.P.R., Bucureşti.
28. Ghira, I., Venczel, M., Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Mara, Gy., Ghile, P., Hartel, T.,
Török Zs., Farkas L., Rácz, T., Farkas, Z., Brad, T., 2002 - Nymphaea,
Folia naturae Bihariae, 29, 145 – 203.
29. Stoenescu, Ş.M., Şchiop, A., Dica, I., Popescu, E., Patrichi, E., Ţepeş, E., 1966
- Atlasul climatologic al R. S. R., Bucureşti.
30. Stugren, B., 1957 - Bul. Şt. Secţia de Biologie şi Ştiinţe Agricole, Seria Zool., 9
(1), 35 – 47.
31. Tufescu, V., 1986 - Harta Republicii Socialiste România. Editura Didactică şi
Pedagogică, Bucureşti.

156
 The herpetofauna in the district of Dolj (Romania)

Anex 1., The spread of Amphibians and Reptiles in Dolj district

(T.v.- Triturus vulgaris, T.c.- Tr. cristatus, B.b.- Bombina bombina, P.f.-Pelobates
fuscus, P.s.- P. syriacus, Buf.- Bufo bufo, Bu.v.- B. viridis, H.a.- Hyla arborea, R.r.-
Rana ridibunda, R.e.- Rana esculenta, R.d.- Rana dalmatina, E.o.-Emys orbicularis,
A.k.-Ablepharus kitabelii, L.v.- Lacerta viridis, P.t.- Podarcis taurica, Z.p.- Zootoca
praticola, A.f.- Anguis fragilis, N.n.- Natrix natrix, C.c.-Coluber caspius)

Tv Tc Bb Pf Ps Bu Bu Ha Rr Re Rd Eo Ak Lv Pt Zp Af Nn Cc
f v
Bechet - - X - - - X - X - - X - X X - - X -
Beloţ X - X - - X - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Bistreţ - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Brabova - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Braloştiţa X X X - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Bratoveşti - - X - - X - - X - X X - X X - - X -
Breasta X - X - - - - X X - - - - X X - - - -
Bodăieşti - - - - - X - - X - X - - - - - - - -
Bulzeşti - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Bucovăţ X - X - - - - X - - X - X X - X - X -
Calafat - - - X X - X X - - - - - - - - - - -
Carna - - X - - X X - X - - X - - - - - - -
Carpen X X X - - - X X X - X - - X - X - - -
Catane - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Călăraşi -
- - X - - - X - X - - X - X X - - X -
Dăbuleni
Ciupercenii
- - - X X - X X - - - - - X X - - - -
Vechi
Columba - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Dăniculeşti - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Desa - - X - - - X X X - - - - - - - - X -
Fântânele - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - -
Filiaşi X X X X - - - X X X X - - X - - X X X
Galicea Mare - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Gighera - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Ghidici - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - -
Greceşti X X X - - - - X X - - - - - - - - X -
Leamna de Jos X - X - - - - X - - X - X X - X - X -
Măceşu de Jos - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - -
Melineşti - - X - - X - - X - X - - X - - - - -
Miloveni X - X - - - - X X - - - - - - - - - -
Motăţei - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -

157
 Viorel Lazăr and all.

Tv Tc Bb Pf Ps Bu Bu Ha Rr Re Rd Eo Ak Lv Pt Zp Af Nn Cc
f v
Motăţei Gară - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Negoi - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Negoieşti - - X - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Ostroveni - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Palilula X - X - - - - X - - X - X X - X - X -
Picăturile X X - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Pietroaia - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Piscu Vechi - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - -
Plopşor - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Plosca - - - X - X - X X - - - - - - - - - -
Podari X X X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Poiana Mare - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Predeşti X - X - - - - X X - - - - - - - - - -
Radovan X X X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Rast - - - - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Răcari X X X - - - - - X - - - - X X - - - -
Răchita de Sus - X X - - X - X X - X - - - - - - - -
Sălcuţa - - X - - - X X X - X - - X X - - - -
Scăieşti – Valea
- - - - - - X - - - - - - X - - - - -
lui Pătru
Seaca de Pădure X X X - - - X X X - X - - X - X - - -
Secu - - X - - X - - X - - - - - - - - - -
Simnicu de Sus - X X - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sirca X - X - - - - X X - - - - - - - - - -
Vârtop - - X - - - X - X - - - - - - - - - -
Voiţa - X X - - X - X X - X - - - - - - - -
Zăval - - - - - - X X X - - - - - - - - - -
Total 17 12 36 4 2 9 31 19 44 1 12 4 3 15 7 5 1 9 1

158