Iulian Gherghel

Publications

• On the presence of the Danube crested newt, Triturus dobrogicus, at Durankulak Lake, Bulgaria

  GHERGHEL Iulian, IFTIME Alexandru

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2009;

  The Danube crested newt, Triturus dobrogicus, was known to be distributed in the Pannonian Basin, along the lower Danube and from the Danube Delta to the Dnepr Delta. Based on the discovery of three specimens in the collection of the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest, Ro... [more] The Danube crested newt, Triturus dobrogicus, was known to be distributed in the Pannonian Basin, along the lower Danube and from the Danube Delta to the Dnepr Delta. Based on the discovery of three specimens in the collection of the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest, Romania, we report a new record of Triturus dobrogicus from Lake Durankulak. This location in the north-east of Bulgaria, the Black Sea littoral region, is far outside the previously known range, and therefore establishes a new south-eastern limit for the distribution of this species. The possibility of introgressive hybridization with Triturus karelinii is discussed.

• Using maximum entropy to predict the distribution of a critically endangered reptile species ( Eryx jaculus , Reptilia: Boidae) at its Northern range limit

  GHERGHEL Iulian, STRUGARIU Alexandru, Zamfirescu Ştefan

  Advances in Environmental Sciences. 01/2009;

  The sand boa (Eryx jaculus) is one of the least known and rarest reptile species in Europe. InRomania, the sand boa is the rarest reptile species with only four locality records being known; atCernavodă, Cărpiniş-Giuvegea, Cochirleni and Mahmudia (Kirițescu 1903; Fuhn & Vancea 1961; Zinke &H... [more] The sand boa (Eryx jaculus) is one of the least known and rarest reptile species in Europe. InRomania, the sand boa is the rarest reptile species with only four locality records being known; atCernavodă, Cărpiniş-Giuvegea, Cochirleni and Mahmudia (Kirițescu 1903; Fuhn & Vancea 1961; Zinke &Hielscher 1990). To estimate the predictors and the probability distribution of the target species (Eryxjaculus) we used MaxEnt 3.3. The potential distribution model of E. jaculus in Romania have a very goodscore performance (AUC = 0.959). The most important variables for the model are BIO13 (92.5% ofcontribution), BIO9 (3.2% of contribution), BIO17 (3% of contribution) and BIO6 (1.3% of contribution).A previously mentioned hypothesis regarding the extinction of the sand boa from Romania hold theconstruction of the Danube River – Black Sea canal as the main responsable factor, this constructionhaving destroyed most of the natural habitats in which the species has been recorded (Krecsak & Iftime2006). We also support this hypothesis as the generated model indicates a suitable niche for the speciesalong the current canal area.

• Contribution to knowledge of the distribution of herpetofauna in Tarcău Mountains (Romania)

  Ghiurcă Daniel, Gherghel Iulian, Roşu George

  Advances in Environmental Sciences. 01/2009;

  In the researched area we identified 12 amphibian species: Salamandra salamndra, Lissotritonvulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Mesotriton alpestris, Lissotriton montandoni, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo,Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria and 9 reptilespec... [more] In the researched area we identified 12 amphibian species: Salamandra salamndra, Lissotritonvulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Mesotriton alpestris, Lissotriton montandoni, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo,Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria and 9 reptilespecies: Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Podarcis muralis, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix,Zamenis longissimus, Coronella austriaca and Vipera berus. Within the region we identified speciesquoted (Cogălniceanu et al. 2000, Ghiurcă et al. 2005, Gherghel et al. 2008, Iftime et al. 2008) to havethe lowest altitudinal limit of their spreading area at much higher altitudes. Most of the amphibian andreptilian species are not endangered in the researched area.

• New locality records for the adder ( Vipera berus ) in the Carpathian Corner, Romania

  STRUGARIU Alexandru, Sos Tibor, Sotek Alexandru, GHERGHEL Iulian, Hegyeli Zsolt

  Advances in Environmental Sciences. 01/2009;

  The Carpathian Corner region (Buzău and Vrancea Counties) is one of the Romanian areas inwhich data on the herpetofauna is most scarce. The adder (Vipera berus), a widespread but threatenedRomanian snake species, has been previously recorded in the Carpathian Corner area around 50 yearsago but its p... [more] The Carpathian Corner region (Buzău and Vrancea Counties) is one of the Romanian areas inwhich data on the herpetofauna is most scarce. The adder (Vipera berus), a widespread but threatenedRomanian snake species, has been previously recorded in the Carpathian Corner area around 50 yearsago but its presence in the area has not been recently reconfirmed. Here we give the first locality recordfor the adder in Vrancea County and two new records for the species in Buzău County, by means ofpersonal observations made during the last decade.

• First record of the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca Laurentus, 1768) in Botoşani County (Romania)

  STRUGARIU Alexandru, BUTNARU Andrei, GHERGHEL Iulian, Tiberiu C. SAHLEAN

  Biharean Biologist. 01/2008;

  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-east... [more] 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.

• Preliminary data regarding the distribution and status of the herpetofauna in Iaşi County (Romania)

  STRUGARIU Alexandru, Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU, NICOARĂ Andreea, GHERGHEL Iulian, SAS Istvan, Cristina M. PUŞCAŞU, BUGEAC Teodor

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2008;

  This paper presents the results of a study conducted in Iaşi County, Romania, an area for which data regarding the distribution of the herpetofauna has previously remained incomplete. Thirteen species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Pelobates fuscus, H... [more] This paper presents the results of a study conducted in Iaşi County, Romania, an area for which data regarding the distribution of the herpetofauna has previously remained incomplete. Thirteen species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Pelobates fuscus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pelophylax lessonae, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria), nine reptile species (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Natrix natrix, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus, Vipera berus and Vipera ursinii)and hybrids between B. bombina and B. variegata and between P. ridibundus and P. lessonae (Pelophylax kl. esculentus) were recorded in the 62 investigated localities in Iaşi County. Salamandra salamandra is recorded for the first time in the area, east of the Siret river, being situated at its eastern distribution limit for Europe. Among the most important results of our study is the identification of a new locality for one of the rarest European reptiles, Vipera ursinii. One amphibian (Lissotriton montandoni) and one reptile (Elaphe sauromates) have previously been recorded in our study area but we were unable to reconfirm their presence.

• New record on the occurance of Dolichophis caspius (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Romanian Moldavia

  STRUGARIU Alexandru, GHERGHEL Iulian

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2007;

  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 Roma... [more] 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 Moldavia by way of 3 live specimens observed in Galaţi county in may 2007.

• Eremias arguta deserti (Reptilia: Lacertidae) is not extinct from Romanian Moldavia

  GHERGHEL Iulian, STRUGARIU Alexandru, GLAVAN Teodor

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2007;

  The present paper proves that the endangered steppe runner (Eremias arguta deserti) still exists in the “Hanu Conachi River Sand Dunes” Nature Reserve. Prior to this study it had not been recorded for almost 40 years and had been reported as extinct in this region by the Romanian Red Data Book of Ve... [more] The present paper proves that the endangered steppe runner (Eremias arguta deserti) still exists in the “Hanu Conachi River Sand Dunes” Nature Reserve. Prior to this study it had not been recorded for almost 40 years and had been reported as extinct in this region by the Romanian Red Data Book of Vertebrates. However, the majority of its natural habitat has been destroyed by the Robinia pseudoacacia plantations from the reserve. In order to ensure the survival of Eremias arguta deserti in the reserve, and in Romanian Moldavia, urgent measures have to be taken to reconstruct its natural habitat through the development of a management plan under the supervision and guidance of experts. At present, the steppe runner population from Hanu Conachi is extremely threatened.

• Contributions to the distribution of Amphibia, Caudata in Neamţ County, Romania

  Gherghel I, Ile R.D

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2006;

  ShorteNote without abstract

• Preliminary data concerning the distribution of amphibian fauna in Suceava county (Romania)

  STRUGARIU Alexandru, GHERGHEL Iulian, Mihail Victor HUTULEAC-VOLOSCIUC, Tiberiu Constantin SAHLEAN, SAS Istvan, Cristina Maria PUSCASU

  Analele Universitatii din Oradea, Fascicula Biologie. 01/2006;

  The present study focused upon an area in which the herpetofauna had previously been very poorly studied and aimed to identify the species of amphibians from the research area and to establish distribution areas. In the 54 investigated localities 16 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Trit... [more] The present study focused upon an area in which the herpetofauna had previously been very poorly studied and aimed to identify the species of amphibians from the research area and to establish distribution areas. In the 54 investigated localities 16 species of amphibians (Salamandra salamandra, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Triturus alpestris, Triturus montandoni, Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Rana ridibunda & Rana lessonae) and 2 hybrids (Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata & Rana kl. esculanta) have been identified. Of these, the Bombina hybrids have been identified for the first time in the studied region.