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In this study, we conducted an inventory of amphibians and reptiles between 2013 and 2016 in the Gediz Delta (İzmir, Turkey). The field results were combined with existing records. According to the data obtained, a total of 35 herptile species live in the region, comprising 7 amphibians (2 urodeles, 5 anurans) and 28 reptiles (6 chelonians, 10 lizards and 12 snakes). Five species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus ivanbureschi, Heremites auratus, Platyceps collaris and Telecopus fallax) were recorded for the first time in the Gediz Delta during the study. A chorotype classification and potential threats of the species are also presented.

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Based on several recent herpetological surveys, as well as data from the literature and the collection of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, the knowledge about the herpetofauna of Rhodes is summarized and a new species list is prepared. The following species have regularly been encountered: Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax cerigensis, Mauremys rivulata, Hemidactylus turcicus, Laudakia stellio, Ophisops elegans, Lacerta trilineata, Anatolacerta oertzeni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Chalcides ocellatus, Trachylepis aurata, Blanus strauchi, Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis sp., Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois nummifer, Zamenis situla, Natrix natrix and Telescopus fallax. The taxonomic status of the occurring whip snakes is discussed. Mediodactylus kotschyi has been added to the island fauna because of some records in the South part of the island. The occurrence of Testudo graeca, Pseudopus apodus and Natrix tessellata was put into question because their mention in older literature remained unconfirmed. Recent single records of Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Malpolon monspessulanus, Testudo graeca and Testudo hermanni are listed and their status is discussed. Die Herpetofauna von Rhodos wird aufgrund von Literaturdaten, Sammlungsmaterial des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien sowie Ergebnissen diverser herpetologischer Exkursionen aufgelistet. Verbreitungskarten aller nachgewiesenen Arten sowie eine aktuelle herpetologische Faunenliste werden erstellt. Folgende Arten wurden regelmäßig und wiederholt festgestellt: Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax cerigensis, Mauremys rivulata, Hemidactylus turcicus, Laudakia stellio, Ophisops elegans, Lacerta trilineata, Anatolacerta oertzeni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Chalcides ocellatus, Trachylepis aurata, Blanus strauchi, Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis sp., Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois nummifer, Zamenis situla, Natrix natrix, Telescopus fallax. Der taxonomische Status der Springnatter wird diskutiert. Aufgrund mehrerer aktueller Funde wird Mediodactylus kotschyi ergänzend zur Herpetofauna von Rhodos hinzugefügt und das Auftreten folgender Arten, deren Vorkommen in der Literatur regelmäßig für Rhodos angegeben wurde, in Frage gestellt: Testudo graeca, Pseudopus apodus, Natrixm tessellata. Aktuelle Einzelfunde gelangen von Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Malpolon monspessulanus, Testudo graeca und Testudo hermanni, deren Status diskutiert wird.

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The current book provides a synthesis of the information concern- ing field identification of all the species and subspecies of Amphibia and Reptilia hitherto registered in Bulgaria. It comprises 61 species and 23 subspecies, among which 5 species (Pelophylax lessonae, P. kurtmuelleri, Hemidactylus turcicus, Eremias arguta, Montivipera xanthina) that have not been found yet on the territory of the country, but which are known from sites in proximity to Bulgar- ian frontiers. The frogs and toads are represented with 14 spe- cies, newts and salamanders with 6 species, turtles and tortoises with 7 species (Trachemys scripta introduced; Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas considered extinct), and snakes with 19 species (Vipera aspis and V. ursinii considered extinct). The structure of each species’ description includes the following headings: Name, Diagnosis, General Distribution, Distribution in Bulgaria, Habitats, and Biology. Besides in Bulgarian and Latin, all species are sup- plemented with their English, French, German and Russian names. All synonyms in the main herpetological literature are listed after the currently accepted Latin name. Original keys for identification of the families, genera and species, based entirely on morphologi- cal characters of adult specimens, as well as on the structure of amphibians’ eggs and larvae, are elaborated to facilitate the users. A photo gallery, comprising original colour photos shot in nature, and numerous line drawings of different key characters are made for better distinction between the species. For purely conservation- al reasons, the distribution maps not only indicate the scientifically confirmed species distribution in the country, but also show the areas with suitable habitats where a given species is likely to oc- cur. The degree of suitability is indicated with a different degree of shading: optimal (black); suboptimal (80% gray); suitable (60% gray); less suitable (20% gray); white means unsuitable. The guide is also introducing the readers to some general aspects of the tax- onomy, systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of herpeto- fauna. Special chapters are devoted to the methods of observation and capture of amphibians and reptiles, first aid after a snake’s bite, and the relationship between herpetofauna – humans. The status of each species according to main biodiversity conservation acts and conventions is given in Table 1. Being the first publication of its kind, the book is intended for professional herpetologists, students or nature lovers.

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REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS ON SAMOS During a two week holiday on Samos, the follo- wing species were observed: Rona ridibunda, Agamastellio, Ophisaurusapodus, Ophisopsele- gans, Lacerta trilineata cariensis, Mabuya aura- to, L. anatolicaaegaea, Natrixnatrixpersa, Colu- ber caspius, C. najadum, Eirenis modestus, Eryx jaculus, Mauremyscaspica. Some of these species were not known to occur on the island. For each of the species some notes are given (if possible) about environment, status and behaviour.

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Oriental Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) is a threatened tree species restricted to Rhodes Island (Greece) and southern Anatolia (Turkey), best known for its rare riparian forests. These small patches of forests are severely fragmented and scattered, and are rarely found in southwestern Turkey. Based on field sampling and data compilation, we performed an assessment of the herpetofauna in these forests in southwestern Turkey during the spring of 2019 and 2021. Sampling was carried out using a line-transect method in 13 forests with various habitats, resulting in data at the community and population levels. Sixteen families, including 26 amphibian and reptile species (four anurans, four turtles, nine lizards, and nine snakes), were recorded from these unique forests, based on 1440 individuals. Twenty-two species were recorded for the first time from these forests; in addition, Emys orbicularis and Elaphe sauromates were recorded for the first time from the region. Richness in the forest patches, habitat use by the recorded species, and interspecific interactions are discussed to explain the conspicuous patterns observed in the species distributions. The unique distribution pattern of Phoenicolacerta laevis among the existing forest patches represents the most prominent finding, with implications for a recent introduction. The fossorial species Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Blanus strauchi, and Eryx jaculus are unlikely to occur in the Oriental Sweetgum forest due to annual flooding. The data obtained during this study will be transferred to the Oriental Sweetgum forest conservation action plan (2019–2024) as part of the biodiversity monitoring tools for use in the long-term conservation of these forests.

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Notes on Rhodian herpetology. It is well known that the terrestrial herpetofauna of Rhodes is composed by 22 taxa. Of these, 15 have been found by the author; of the other seven, two are probably absent from the island (Pseudopus apodus and Natrix tessellata). As regards the Lizards, it has been observed, among other things, how Mabuya aurata shares its habitat with Lacerta oertzeni (occupying however the lower levels); Mabuya appears also to emarginate Chalcides ocellatus. Among the ophidian species, a particular emphasis has been given to Dolichophis jugularis. Of this colubrid various aspects, both morphological and biological, have been considered. Compared with the males of the island of Kos, described in a previous article, the Rhodian males show a different head morphology, a lower number of ventral scales and a lower intensity of colouring. When adult, they are characterized by dorsal melanosis and ventral yellow-red colouring. The degree of darkening seems to depend in small measure on the age and much on individual factors; a correlation between the dorsal and ventral chromatic variability seems to be lacking. Dolichophis jugularis appeared much bound to lentisk shrubs, where it took shelter when menaced. As in Kos, also in Rhodes it appeared to make use of pathways to track down a partner. In the last paragraph, the author assumes the possibility that this snake may perform a certain selection pressure on the ophidian community of the island, contributing to the rarefaction of some snakes. We finally inform that Zamenis situla is still present, since nearly a century, in the surroundings of the village of Agios Isidoros.

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Results of herpetological researches in the area of Marmaris (SW Turkey). The present contribution reports the results of herpetological researches carried out in the area of Marmaris (Mügla province, SW Turkey). Main aim of the researches was to study local populations of Dolichophis jugularis. These resulted to be morphologically similar to those of northern Dodecanese (Leros and Kos). However, some differences were observed in their trophic spectrum, probably due to a different complexity in the ecosystems; month of the year (May), sex and size being equal, the fundamental sauro-theriophagy of the Dodecanese populations changed into the pure ophiophagy of the Turkish specimens. Analysing faeces and ingesta, all snakes preyed on by Dolichophis jugularis had carinate scales, characteristic which in that area (Gökçe) involves Natrix spp. and Montivipera xanthina; the latter seemed also to be strictly syntopical with the colubrid. Additionally, the author records four specimens of Platyceps collaris; the fact that three of them had 17 dorsal scales at mid-body while the species generally has 19 (very rarely 21) is noteworthy. Lastly, contrary to the expectations, Montivipera xanthina resulted morphologically fairly similar to the northern populations.

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The European distribution of Montivipera xanthina includes the coastline of the eastern central Greek Thrace (southeastern Rhodopes and southern Evros). While in south-eastern Evros, the easternmost part of its distribution, Montivipera xanthina seems to be a well-defined evolutionary line, in the central area of this wide territory, in south-western Evros, this viper seems to be very rare or absent; this means that the westernmost populations (those of the Rhodopes) have undergone some kind of isolation or semi-isolation that might have induced the formation of a new subspecies: Montivipera xanthina occidentalis ssp. nov. The new taxon differs from other known subspecies for the tendency to a reduced size and correspondingly for a lower number of intercanthals and of dorsal scales rows, both in the midbody (mostly 21-22) and in the posterior part of the body (often 15-16). A list of herpetological species found in the study area (south-western Evros, Greece NE) is also reported.

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The herpetofauna of Samos Island is very rich in species (27 recognised taxa), although most of them both during previous researches carried out in May 2000, and even more during the latest carried out in May 2019 in the south-western part of the island, seemed uncommon and local ized. Regardless the adverse effect of climate change, the reasons could be attributed to three main orders of causes as follows. 1) As in all island faunas of recent settlement, among the various species the processes that lead to establish new balances with gradual reduction of the density of some taxa, may still be in progress. 2) For the chemical degradation of the environment (pesticides). 3) For mechanical and pyric degradation of the environment (cutting and forest fire), which led to a widespread olive cultivation on the island; the olive grove, the resulting open and barren environment, reduces the chance of establishment of herpetological species. Finally as regards the local population of Montivipera xanthina, main purpose of research, the few collected data describe preliminarily a large size form with a quite high number of ventral scales.

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Further notes on the herpetofauna of the Aegean island of Samos. -- In May 2022 new herpetological researches have been carried out on the Aegean island of Samos. It is confirmed that the island is home to a varied and heterogenous herpetofauna, distributed in variously scattered and dense populations. Noteworthy is the finding of a specimen and of an exuvia of Hemorrhois nummifer in the northern part of Samos; so far, the nine reports of this species for the island have been detected in the southern part. It is stressed that climate changes, pesticides, wild fires, the widespread presence of unsuitable habitats for reptile life (as olive groves), and vehicular traffic, are factors which, directly or indirectly, tend to limit the density of the various herpetological species.

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A list of reptiles and amphibians occurring on the Dodecanese Archipelago is provided with the latest taxonomic updates. Notes relating to animals’ ecology and to critical habitats are also given. Observations are also made regarding the subspecies Dolichophis jugularis zinneri Cattaneo, 2012 endemic to Rhodes and its Archipelago, and a survey on the Amphibians and Reptiles species known from the southwestern Turkey, whose presence in the Dodecanese Islands has not yet been detected, is discussed.

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In this investigation, lizard species of Turkish Thrace are investigated indetail for the first time. Morphological characretirstics, range, distribution and subspecific states of the species are given. Furthermore, some observations concerning their biological and ecological characteristics are also given. In this study a total of 678 specimens and 10 species belonging to 3 families of Lacertilia have been investigated from Turkish Trace.

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The Greek lizard fauna consists of 26 species from which 5 are monotypic and the other ones are represented by a total of 86 subspecies. Five species and 61 subspecies are endemic of Greece. A checklist including the geographical distribution of each taxon in the Greek region is presented.

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The Greek lizard fauna consists of 26 species from which 5 are monotypic and the other ones are represented by a total of 86 subspecies. Five species and 61 subspecies are endemic of Greece. A checklist including the geographical distribution of each taxon in the Greek region is presented.

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e reptile fauna of Romania comprises 23 species, out of which 12 species reach here the limit of their geographic range. We compiled and updated a national database of the reptile species occurrences from a variety of sources including our own eld surveys, personal communication from specialists, museum collections and the scienti c literature. e occurrence records were georeferenced and stored in a geoda- tabase for additional analysis of their spatial patterns. e spatial analysis revealed a biased sampling e ort concentrated in various protected areas, and de cient in the vast agricultural areas of the southern part of Romania. e patterns of species richness showed a higher number of species in the warmer and drier regions, and a relatively low number of species in the rest of the country. Our database provides a starting point for further analyses, and represents a reliable tool for drafting conservation plans.

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1. Die gestreifte Smaragdeidechse der Dobrudscha, die im Schrifttum unter den verschiedensten Namen erwähnt wurde, gehört zu Lacerta trilineata und stellt eine neue Unterart (dobrogica) dar, die am nächsten mit der kaukasisch-kleinasiatischen media verwandt ist. 2. Vom Wohnareal der media ist dobrogica keinesfalls durch eine über 1000 km lange Zone geschieden, die von der typischen trilineata bewohnt ist; wenn eine media-freie Zone überhaupt besteht, so ist sie wesentlich kleiner. Außer in der Dobrudscha lebt dobrogica mit Sicherheit noch in Nordost-Bulgarien. Das Wohngebiet westlich des Schwarzen Meeres dürfte dobrogica bzw. ihre Ahnen längs der Nordküste Kleinasiens vom Kaukasus aus erreicht haben. 3. In der Dobrudscha lebt Lacerta trilineata dobrogica an vielen Stellen neben Lacerta viridis, mit der sie sich niemals vermischt. Da diese beiden Smaragdeidechsen auch in vielen anderen Gebieten Südosteuropas und des nordwestlichen Kleinasiens unvermischt vorkommen, werden sie als Arten aufgefaßt. Eine dritte Art der Smaragdeidechsen stellt Lacerta strigata dar, mit der dobrogica selbst von namhaften Herpetologen verwechselt worden ist. 4. Die gestreifte Smaragdeidechse der Dobrudscha zieht bewachsene, aber sonnige und warme Stellen vor; sie meidet jedoch den Wald. Ausgesprochen xerophil ist sie nicht, da sie immer in der Nähe des Wassers auftritt. 5. Ein Gelege aus 12 Eiern vom 22. Juli ergab bei etwa 26°C nach 77-83 Tagen Jungtiere. Da diese noch im Mai die Größe der im Herbst Geschlüpften haben, wird angenommen, daß sie sich in den Winterschlaf zurückziehen, ohne viel Nahrung aufgenommen zu haben.

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Six species belonging to the genus Lacerta live in Türkiye. In this study, both present and future potential distribution maps were created based on occurrence data and climatic variables for these six species. Two scenarios for future projections (shared socioeconomic pathways, SSPs,: 245 and 585) and two timeframes (2041–2060 and 2081–2100) were used. The present and future potential distributions of these species were compared. As a result, it was predicted that the distribution ranges in the six species will expand in the future, and this expansion has revealed new environments.

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Several recent papers have reviewed the life and work of French herpetologist Louis Amédée Lantz. They have detailed the composition of his collections deposited in several museums. However, since then, several other important specimens from his collections deposited at the Natural History Museum (NHM, UK) have come to light and we here present all of them in detail. We discovered paralectotypes of Lacerta saxicola obscura Lantz & Cyrén (BMNH 1918.11.21.5–7), syntypes of Lacerta boemica Sukhov (BMNH 1960.1.4.26–30, BMNH 1965.337–342) and Lacerta viridis media Lantz & Cyrén (BMNH 1960.1.4.25, 1966.512). We also identified numerous specimens from the French Mediterranean islands in Lantz’s collection deposited at the NHM, some of which represent the first reported specimens of their species from certain islands. We here provide data on all these specimens. We also place the Mediterranean island specimens from the Lantz collection in their historical context and emphasize the historical and taxonomic value of these collections.

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The diverse climate types and geographical structures across Anatolia result in a high level of species diversity. Among these, the lizard species Lacerta diplochondrodes exhibits several distinct populations, with some of them recognized as subspecies. The primary objective of our study was to investigate whether populations from Thrace and the Western Black Sea region of Türkiye differ from other documented populations. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of genetic and morphometric parameters. For the genetic analysis, we utilized the COI and cyt-b gene regions as molecular markers. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) were used for the morphometric analyses to differentiate populations. Our findings indicate that a population found in the Bolu region in Western Black Sea region of Turkey differs from the other populations both in morphometric and genetic traits. The L. d. diplochondrodes and L. d. cariensis populations represent sister lineages, and they are both genetically and morphologically only weakly differentiated. These two lineages are therefore referred to as L. d. diplochondrodes. Overall, four different lineages can be distinguished in Türkiye, out of which the lineage of the Western Black Sea region (Bolu lineage) is described for the first time.

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Lacerta pamphylica and Lacerta trilineata are two currently recognized green lizard species with a historically problematic taxonomy. In cases of tangled phylogenies, next‐generation sequencing and double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA protocols can provide a wealth of genomic data and resolve difficult taxonomic issues. Here, we generated genome‐wide SNPs and mitochondrial sequences, and applied molecular species delimitation approaches to provide a stable taxonomy for the Aegean green lizards. Mitochondrial gene trees, genetic cluster delimitation and population structure analyses converged into recognizing the populations of (a) L. pamphylica, (b) east Aegean islands, Anatolia and Thrace (diplochondrodes lineage), (c) central Aegean islands (citrovittata), and (d) remaining Balkan populations and islands (trilineata), as separate clusters. Phylogenomic analyses revealed a split into two major clades, east and west of the Aegean Barrier, unambiguously showing a sister–clade relationship between pamphylica and diplochondrodes, rendering L. trilineata paraphyletic. Species delimitation models were tested in a Bayesian framework using the genomic SNPs: lumping all populations into a single ‘species’ had the lowest likelihood but the current taxonomy was also outperformed by all other models. All lines of evidence support the Pamphylian green lizard as a valid species; thus, east Aegean L. trilineata should also be considered a distinct species under the name Lacerta diplochondrodes. Finally, evidence from the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes is overwhelmingly in favour of recognizing the morphologically distinct Cycladian green lizards as a distinct species. We propose their elevation to full species under the name Lacerta citrovittata. All remaining insular and continental populations of the Balkan Peninsula represent the species L. trilineata.

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Turkey is biogeographically diverse and consequently has a rich herpetofauna. As a result of active herpetological research, the number of species has steadily increased in recent years. I present here a new checklist of amphibian and reptile species distributed in Turkey, revising the nomenclature to reflect the latest taxonomic knowledge. In addition, information about the systematics of many species is also given. In total 35 (19.4%) amphibian and 145 (80.6%) reptile species comprise the Turkish herpetofauna. Among amphibians, 16 (45.7%) anurans and 19 urodelans (54.3%) are present. Among reptiles, 11 (7.6%) testudines, 71 (49%) saurians, 3 (2.1%) amphisbaenians and 60 (41.3%) ophidians are considered part of the herpetofauna. The endemism rate in Turkey is considered relatively high with a total of 34 species (12 amphibian species – 34.3% and 22 reptile species – 15.2%) endemic to Turkey, yielding a total herpetofaunal endemism of 18.9%. While 38 species have not been threat-assessed by the IUCN, 92 of the 180 Turkish herpetofaunal species are of Least Concern (LC), 13 are Near Threatened (NT), 10 are Vulnerable (VU), 14 are Endangered (EN), and 7 are Critically Endangered (CR). In addition, 6 species are in the DD (Data Deficient) category.

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Die beiden Arten der Gattung Lacerta auf Rhodos werden durch endemische Rassen vertreten: Lacerta trilineata durch diplodtondrodes, Lacerta dantfordi durch pelasgiana n. subsp. Von diplochondrodes wird das eigenartige zwei- bzw. vier- streifige Jugendkleid beschrieben, das bisher kaum von Lacerta trilineata und erst recht nicht von der verwandten Lacerta strigata bekannt war. Die bisher bald als dantfordi, anatolica oder oertzeri bezeichnete pelasgiana wird in die nächste Verwandtsdraft der typischen danfordi vom Cilicischen Taurus sowie von oertzeni aus Nikaria gestellt.

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The geographical position, mild climate, mountainous landscape, and habitat heterogeneity determine Bulgaria’s rich diversity of herpetofauna. Currently, 17 species of amphibians (20 subspecies) and 36 species of reptiles (45 subspecies) are known from Bulgaria. Due to its transitional position, Bulgaria lies at the southern or northern distribution limits of many species of amphibians and reptiles. Vertical distribution is presented for all species found in Bulgaria. The richest in terms of diversity and abundance are the areas below 400 m, where nearly 95 % of taxa occur. The geographical ranges of almost all amphibians and reptiles in Bulgaria are well-known, although on a local scale the information is often limited. Zoogeographical analysis demonstrates that amphibian species belong to nine chorotypes, of which the Eastern Mediterranean and the European chorotypes are represented with three species each. Out of the ten chorotypes recognized for the reptiles, 51.4 % of the species belong to the Eastern Mediterranean (25.7 %) and Turanian–Mediterranean (25.7 %) chorotypes. Only two subspecies are Bulgarian endemics (Salamandra salamandra beschkovi and Mediodactylus kotschyi rumelicus). Due to the high diversity and mosaic distribution of habitats in Bulgaria, the herpetofauna has a rather continuous occurrence and high relative abundance. Although 80 % of the Bulgarian herpetofauna is legally protected by the Biodiversity Protection Act (2002) and other conventions, some species are threatened through collection for trade or habitat changes due to construction. Several sites in the southern part of Bulgaria are very rich in herpetofauna (nine to ten species of amphibians and 19 to 21 species of reptiles).

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Sympatric lizard species differing in morphology present convenient models for studying the differentiation in thermal behavior and the role of morphological differences in thermal biology. Here we studied the thermal biology of two sympatric lizard species which occur together sympatrically in western Anatolia, Frig Valley. These two species differ in body size, with the larger Lacerta diplochondrodes and smaller Parvilacerta parva. Field body temperatures of the individuals belonging to both species were recorded in the activity period. Additionally, several environmental parameters including solar radiation, substrate temperature, air temperature and wind speed were also monitored to investigate the relative effect of these abiotic parameters on thermal biology of the two species. The field body temperature and temperature excess (difference between body and substrate temperature) of two species while being relatively close to each other, showed seasonal differences. Solar radiation, substrate temperature and air temperature were the main effective factors on thermal biology in the field. Additionally, although body size did not have a direct significant effect on body temperature or temperature excess, the interaction between body size and wind were effective on temperature excess. In conclusion, our study partially supports the conservation of thermal biology of related lizard species.

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Two species of Walllizards are occuring in the Dobruja of Romania and Bulgaria: the Balkan walllizard (Podarcis muralis albanica) and the Taurican or Crimean lizard (Podarcis taurica taurica). A short description of these species is followed by information on distribution, ecology, threats and conservation.

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1. A revision of Anatolian L. trilineata reveals its subdivision into three species: The western L. trilineata BEDRIAGA, 1886 (comprising in Anatolia the two subspecies- groupings cariensis and diplochondrodes), the eastern L. media LANTZ & CYREN, 1920 (comprising the subspecies L. m. (m.) media - probably subdivided into further „minor subspecies` - L. m. (i.) isaurica, L. m. (i.) ciliciensis, L. m. (w.) wolterstorffi, L. m. (w.) israelica) and L. pamphylica SCHMIDTLER, 1975; the latter being endemic and allopatric in Southern Central Anatolia. Probably these three species are equally related with each other, with the L. viridis-strigata-complex and possibly also with L. agilis. In Green Lizards generally the degree of specific differentiation is weil indicated by the degree of pholidotic differentiation. 2. In the intrapontic transversal valleys of Arav and Gök-rivers (West Pontus-Subregion) three species of Green Lizards prove to be ecological indicator-species of the three main vegetation-zones and herpetocoenoses: - Mediterranean-intrapontic vegetation-zone (Pinus halepensis; 300-600 m): L. m. me- dia and the reptiles Ophisops elegans, Coluber caspius, Mauremys caspica, Testudo graeca; the amphibians Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda. - Supramediterranean-prepontic vegetation-zone (Pinus nigra; 600-1000 m): L. triline- ata galatiensis and the reptiles Lacerta parva, Podarcis muralis, Emys orbicularis, Testudo graeca and, additionally to the above mentioned amphibians: Rana macrocnemis. - Moderate-euxinic vegetation-zone (Pinus silvestris; 1000-1500 m): L. viridis paphla- gonica and the reptiles Lacerta cf. rudis, Podarcis muralis, Coronella austriaca; the amphibi- ans Triturus vittatus, Bufo bufo, Hyla arborea, Rana ridibunda and R. macrocnemis.

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The last species list of the European herpetofauna was published by Speybroeck, Beukema and Crochet (2010). In the meantime, ongoing research led to numerous taxonomic changes, including the discovery of new species-level lineages as well as reclassifications at genus level, requiring significant changes to this list. As of 2019, a new Taxonomic Committee was established as an official entity within the European Herpetological Society, Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH). Twelve members from nine European countries reviewed, discussed and voted on recent taxonomic research on a case-by-case basis. Accepted changes led to critical compilation of a new species list, which is hereby presented and discussed. According to our list, 301 species (95 amphibians, 15 chelonians, including six species of sea turtles, and 191 squamates) occur within our expanded geographical definition of Europe. The list includes 14 non-native species (three amphibians, one chelonian, and ten squamates).

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The present paper presents the results of a study focused on one of the most important herpetofaunal areas from Romania, the Macin Mountains. Twelve amphibian (Triturus dobrogicus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus balcanicus, Hyla arborea, Bufo viridis, Bufo bufo, Pelophylax lessonae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, Rana dalmatina) and thirteen reptile (Emys orbicularis, Testudo graeca ibera, Ablepharus kitaibelli stepaneki, Podarcis tauricus, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta trilineata dobrogica, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Dolichophis caspius, Zamenis longissimus, Elaphe sauromates, Coronella austriaca, Vipera ammodytes montandoni) species or subspecies have been identified in the research area. Pelobates syriacus, Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax lessonae and Pelophylax kl. esculentus have been recorded for the first time in the region. Precise distribution maps were made for all the identified species/subspecies and the local status and endangering factors of the species is discussed.

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Knowledge on the spatial distribution of taxa is crucial for the decision-making processes in conservation and management of biodiversity that rely on precise distribution data. We present an annotated list for a total of 37 amphibian (20 caudatans and 17 anurans) and 141 reptile species (11 chelonians, 70 lizards, 3 amphisbaenians and 57 snakes) in Turkey, using both available scientific literature up to December 2020 and our own fieldwork data from 1987 to 2020. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of Turkish amphibians and reptiles. The herpetofauna list will be particularly useful for establishing national conservation priorities as well as for placing Turkish fauna into phylogenetic and biogeographic contexts. We compiled information published in books, journals and various web sources and added our personal data. We projected the data in the WGS84 coordinate system and created an overlay grid with cells of 50x50 km2. The database comprises more than 500 grid cells and 11,913 records. As a result, the distribution of Turkish amphibians and reptiles has been extensively mapped with geographical information systems and a database has been created. The obtained data will be useful in planning future studies on taxonomy, ecology and conservation of Turkish amphibians and reptiles.

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Die Eidechsen Bulgariens und deren Lebensräume werden in Text und Bild vorgestellt. Die Autoren konnten auf mehreren Reisen neun der insgesamt zehn vorkommenden Lacertiden-Arten finden.

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Traffic intensification, often in conjunction with habitat fragmentation, has caused frequent roadkill incidents, particularly among reptiles, amphibians, and other taxa. Herpetofauna species, which are slow moving and habitat dependent, are particularly susceptible to these incidents because they often use roads during thermoregulation. Lesvos, the eighth-largest Mediterranean island, boasts a biodiversity that surpasses most other Mediterranean islands of similar or larger size, with a plethora of herpetofauna species inhabiting its terrain. In recent years, new roads were constructed on Lesvos, which are considered to be one of the most important factors that negatively affect the island’s wildlife as they increase the non-natural mortality of animals, are obstacles to their mobility, and reduce the connectivity of populations by limiting their dynamics. In the present study, we examined the road mortality of amphibians and reptiles by analyzing (a) the temporal and seasonal patterns of such incidents, (b) the relationship between roadside habitats and road network characteristics with the roadkilled herpetofauna species, and (c) their spatial distribution on Lesvos during the years 2009–2012 and 2016–2019. To identify significant clusters of reptile and amphibian roadkills, we performed hotspot analysis by utilizing kernel density estimation and Getis Ord Gi* statistics. We recorded a total of 330 roadkills among 20 species, with the highest rates emerging among the European green toad (Bufotes viridis), the European glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus), the Rhodos green lizard (Lacerta diplochondrodes), and the snake-eyed lizard (Ophisops elegans). Spatial statistical analysis revealed that roads close to herpetofauna habitats exhibit statistically significant clusters of roadkills that intensify during the spring season. Regular monitoring and mapping of herpetofauna road mortality will enable the implementation of management strategies to mitigate the negative impact of this phenomenon.