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

Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Fascicula Biologie, Tom. XIII, 2006, pp.39-47
Preliminary data concerning the distribution of amphibian fauna
in Suceava county (Romania)

Alexandru STRUGARIU1,*, Iulian GHERGHEL2, Mihail Victor HUŢULEAC-VOLOSCIUC3,
Tiberiu Constantin SAHLEAN1, Istvan SAS4,*, Cristina Maria PUŞCAŞU5

1 ”Al. I. Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Iasi, Romania.
2 ”Piatra Neamt” Technical College, Piatra Neamt, Romania
3 “Mihai Eminescu” National College, Suceava, Romania
4 University of Oradea, Faculty of Science, Oradea, Romania
5 “Gr.T.Popa” University, Faculty of General Medicine, Iasi, Romania
*Corresponding autor: Al. Strugariu - Alex.Strugariu@gmail.com, I. Sas – sas_steve19@yahoo.com


Abstract. 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.

Key words: Suceava County, herpetofauna, amphibians, geographical distribution.


Introduction

The most recent comprehensive work regarding the
distribution of Romanian herpetofauna refers only to
Transylvania (Ghira et al, 2002). Complete data
concerning the other areas of Romania has not been
written for more than 40 years, the most comprehensive
field studies being included in the “Fauna Republicii
Populare Romane” volumes: “Clasa Amphibia”(Fuhn,
1960) and “Clasa Reptilia”(Fuhn & Vancea, 1961). A
single book (Cogalniceanu, 2000) has been written since
then that describes the indigenous amphibian species
and their distribution; however, this publication only
contains general distribution maps and the localities in
which the species were collected are not mentioned. The
knowledge gained in the last century is thought to cover
only 5% of the actual distribution for the Romanian
herpetofauna (Ghira et al, 2002). Acording to recent
publications, many species of amphibians are threatened
or vulnerable and require strict protection (Iftime, 2005)
but, in order to establish conservation measures, the
precise geographical distribution of the herpetofauna
must me known. Taking the above stated into
consideration the authors of this paper aimed to realize a
synthesis of the knowledge concerning the composition
and distribution of the amphibian fauna in Suceava
County..
The “Fauna Republicii Romane” volumes
concerning the Romanian herpetofauna were published
in 1960 and 1961 and contained very scarce data in
regards to the distribution of amphibians in Suceava
County. Since then, very few papers that contain data
regarding the herpetofauna in Suceava County have
been published: Stugren & Popovici, 1961, Ionescu et al
1968, Şova & Cruce 1969, Şova, 1970, 1972,
Cogălniceanu 1991, Cogălniceanu et al 2000, Ion et al,
2005, Strugariu et al 2006.

Material and Methods

The research area is situated in the North-Eastern sector of
Romania (Fig. 1). The territory of the investigated area partially
covers two major geographical units: the eastern Carpathians in
the west and the Suceava Plateau in the east (Botnariuc 1980).
Most of the hydrographical units consist of rivers and streams but
lakes, ponds, swamps and important sub-terrestrial springs are
also present (Botnariuc, 1980). Almost all rivers flow into the
Siret river. The most important of these rivers are Suceava,
Moldova and Bistrita (Botnariuc 1980). In some of the
investigated areas, the forests have been cleared, being replaced
by agricultural terrain with typical vegetation (Strugariu et al,
2006).



Figure 1. The investigated region


The field work was carried out in the years 2004 (from
March to October), 2005 (from March to October) and 2006 (from
February to August) and covered 54 localities. With the aim of
mapping the amphibian fauna, the transects method
(Cogalniceanu, 1997) was used, each locality being investigated
repeatedly. The animals were either observed directly or captured
by hand and subsequently released. All species mentioned in this
paper have been personally identified by the authors. The hybrids
were determined by their morphological and chromatic
characteristics, the determination being made after main features
and measurements indicated in the scientific literature (Berger
1966, 1973, Cogălniceanu et al 2000, Csata 1998, Fuhn 1960,

Al. Strugariu, I. Gherghel, M.V. Huţuleac-Volosciuc, T.C. Sahlean, I. Sas, C.M. Puşcaşu 40
Ghira & Mara 2000, Stugren 1980, Szymura 1993). For every
quoted species, a list, that contains the names of the localities in
which they were identified was made, the result being a final list
that contains all the new localities for every identified amphibian
species.

Results and Disscusions

During our research, 16 amphibian species
(Salamandra salamandra, Triturus vulgaris, Triturus
cristatus, Triturus alpestris, Triturus mondandoni,
Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, Bombina
variegata, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana
dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Rana
ridibunda & Rana lessonae) which belong to the studied
region’s herpetofauna and 2 hybrids (Bombina bombina
X Bombina variegata & Rana kl. esculenta) were
identified. The Bombina hybdrids are premiers for the
investigated region. For all this species, new distribution
areas have been established. The geographical
distribution of each species is showed in table 1. We
have identified 386 localities, of which 345 are new
distribution areas for the Romanian herpetofauna, in the
54 investigated localities.

Salamandra salamandra Linnaeus 1758
The Fire-Salamander usually inhabits moist,
forested biotopes situated at altitudes above 200m (Fuhn
1960, Cogalniceanu et al. 2000), although some
populations from western Romania have been found at
altitudes below 200m (Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2006).
Prior to our study, this species has been found in only 5
localities (Fuhn 1960, Cogălniceanu 1991) in Suceava
County, 1 of which coincides with our research area,
and has been identified by us in 19 new localities (Table
1). We have also reconfirmed its presence in the
localities in which it has previously been quoted. We
have observed this species in moist regions, usually in
or near coniferous or mixed forests. On a national level,
this species is vulnerable due to loss of habitat
(Cogalniceanu et al. 2000); this is also valid for the
populations in Suceava County.



Fig. 2 Distribution of Salamandra salamandra


Triturus alpestris Laurentus 1768
The Alpine Newt can mostly be encountered in
mountain areas, at altitudes between 500 and 2000m
(Fuhn 1960). Recently, populations of Triturus alpestris
in western Romania were discovered at below 200m
ASL (Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2006). Prior to our study,
this species was identified in 19 localities (Ionescu et al.
1968, Şova 1970, 1972, Cogălniceanu 1991) in Suceava
County, only 4 of these coicinding with our studied
region. We reconfirmed the presence of Triturus
alpestris in 2 previously quoted localities and
encountered it in 15 new localities (Table 1) for the
Romanian herpetofauna. This species prefers small,
shallow mountain pools (even man-made ones) and
calm, shallow springs. We often encountered this
species coexisting with Triturus montandoni. It is not
obviously threatened in Suceava County.




Fig. 3 Distribution of Triturus alpestris


Triturus cristatus Laurentus 1768
The Crested Newt was previously identified in 12
localities (Fuhn, 1960, Şova, 1972, Cogălniceanu, 1991)
in Suceava County, 3 of which were also investigated
by us. We reconfirmed this species’ presence in 2 of the
previously investigated areas and identified it in 22 new
localities (Table 1). This species can frequently be
found in medium sized pools that are mostly situated in
deciduous or mixed forests. We have encountered many
specimens that were killed by local people. Even if, on a
large scale, Triturus cristatus is not endangered in
Suceava County, we consider that immediate action
must be taken to protect certain populations situated in
more urban areas, especially the ones living in the town
of Suceava.



Fig. 4 Distribution of Triturus cristatus

Preliminary data concerning the distribution of amphibian fauna in Suceava county (Romania) 41

Table 1. The distribution of amphibian fauna in Suceava County

Species →
Locality ↓
S
s
T
a
T
c
T
m
T
v
B
b
B
v
B
X
P
f
Bf
b
Bf
v
H
a
R
l
R
e
R
r
R
a
R
d
R
t
Adâncata X - X - X X X - - X - X - X X - X X
Bosanci - - - - - X - - - X X - - - - - X
Broşteni - S S S - - S - - - - - - - - - - S
Bucşoaia X X - X - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Buneşti - - - - X X - - - X X - - X - - X
Cacica S 0 S O S O X - - S O S - S X - O S
Câmpulung Moldovenesc S X O X - - S - - - - - - - - - - S
Chiril - X X X - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Ciprian Porumbescu X - X - - - X - - X - X - - - - - X
Cojoci - X - X X - X - - - - X - - - - - -
Costâna - - X - X X X X - X X X X X X - - X
Cozăneşti X X - X X - - - X - X - - - - - X
Crucea - S 0 X - - X - - - - - - - - - X X
Cumpărătură - - - - X X - - - X X - X X - - X
Dărmăneşti - - X - X X X X X - X X X X X - X X
Dorna-Arini X X X X X - X - - X X X - - - - - X
Dragomirna - - X - X X - - X - X X X X X X X
Fălticeni - - O O S X O - - X X X - X X X X S
Feteşti X - X - X X X X - X - X - X X - X X
Forăşti - - - - X X - - X X X - - X - - X
Frasin S X O S O - S - - O O O - - - - O S
Gheorghiseni - - - X X - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Gura Humorului S X O S O O S - - S S S O O X - O S
Haleasa - - - X X - X - - - - - - - - - - -
Ilişeşti X - X - X - X - - X - X - - - - - X
Lipoveni - - X - X X - - X - X X X X X X X
Lungeni X - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - X
Marginea X - X - X - - - X - X - - - - X -
Măriţela Mică - - X - X X X X X - X X X X X - - X
Mitocaş - - X - X X - - X - X X X X X X X
Mitocu Dragomirnei - - X - X X - - X - X X X X X X X
Moara Mică - - - - X X - - - X X - - X - - X
Molid X X - X - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Mt. Rarău X S - S - - S - - O O O - - - - - S
Mt. Giumalău X O - S - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Neagra - X X X X - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Oniceni - - - - X X - - - X X - - X - - X
Ortoaia - - X X X - X - - X - - - - - - - X
Păltinoasa X X - X - O S - - X S X - O X - - X
Pârteştii de jos X - X - X - X - - X - X - X X - - X
Pârteştii de sus - - X - X - X - - - - X - X X - - X
Pietroasa X X X X X - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Pojorâta X X - X - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Prisaca Dornei X X - X - - X - - - - - - - - - - X
Râşca - - - - - - - - - - X - X X - - X
Satu Mare - - X X - - X - - - - - - - - - X X
Slatina - - - - - - X - - - - - - X X - - X
Suceava - - X - X X X X O X X X X X X - X S
Stroieşti - - - - X X X - - X X X - - - - - X
Şcheia - - X - X X X X - X X X - X X - - X
Vadu Moldovei - 0 - - X X - - - X X - - X - - X
Vatra Dornei X S - S - - S - - - - - - - - - - S
Vâlcele - - - - X X X - - X X X - - - - - X
Voroneţ X X - X - - X - - X X X - - X - - X
Σ(X) 19 15 22 19 31 21 31 6 2 21 17 32 7 17 26 5 12 42
Σ(S) 4 4 2 6 2 - 7 - - 2 2 2 - 1 - - - 9
Σ(O) - 3 5 2 4 3 1 - 1 1 3 2 1 2 - - 3 -
Σ(L) 23 22 29 27 37 24 39 6 3 24 22 36 8 20 26 5 15 51

Ss = Salamandra salamandra, Ta = Triturus alpestris, Tc = Triturus cristatus, Tm = Triturus montandoni, Tv = Triturus vulgaris,
Bb = Bombina bombina, Bv = Bombina variegata, BX = Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata, Pf = Pelobates fuscus, Bf b = Bufo bufo,
Bf v = Bufo viridis, Ha = Hyla arborea, Rl = Rana lessonae, Re = Rana kl. esculenta, Rr = Rana ridibunda, Ra = Rana arvalis,
Rd = Rana dalmatina, Rt = Rana temporaria.

X – New localities for the Romanian herpetofauna.
S – Localities in which we reconfirmed the presence of the species.
O – Localities in which we could not reconfirm the presence of the species.
Σ – The sum of localities

Al. Strugariu, I. Gherghel, M.V. Huţuleac-Volosciuc, T.C. Sahlean, I. Sas, C.M. Puşcaşu 42

Triturus montandoni Boulenger 1880
Montandon`s Newt was first described in Suceava
County based on samples from Broşteni (Boulenger
1880). Triturus montandoni was previously known in
Suceava County from 18 localities (Fuhn 1960, Ionescu
et al. 1968, Cogălniceanu 1991, Şova 1972), of which
only 6 coincide with our study areas. We reconfirmed
this species’ presence in 6 previously quoted areas and
identified it in 19 new localities (Table 1) for the
Romanian herpetofauna. This species’ habitat
preferences are very similar to those of Triturus
alpestris, with which it frequently coexists. In some
localities, we found 3 or even all 4 newt species living
together. This species is not severely threatened in the
studied area.


Fig. 5 Distribution of Triturus montanodni


Triturus vulgaris Linnaeus 1758
The Smooth Newt is the most common and wide-
spread Triturus species in Suceava County, being
encountered by us in a multitude of habitats, from
shallow, road side ditches to larger than average lakes
and even man-made pools. The smooth newt is not
threatened in Suceava County.



Fig. 6 Distribution of Triturus vulgaris


Bombina bombina Linnaeus 1761
The Fire-Bellied Toad is a typical plain species,
that can be found, in Romania, up to an altitude of 400m
(Fuhn 1960, Cogalniceanu 2000). We identified this
species in Suceava County, in 21 new localities for the
Romanian herpetofauna (Table 1). Bombina bombina is
generely present at altitudes of 300m in Suceava
County, but also climbs to 400m ASL. Thus, in the
studied region the fire bellied toad is at its superior
altitude limit in Romania, climbing higher than in
western Romania where it only reaches an altitude of
about 200m (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2000, 2002, 2004,
2006) and where its actualy absent in regions situated at
200m ASL that are sorounded by higher regions
(Covaciu Marcov et al. 2003a) We have found the Fire-
Bellied Toad in a variety of habitats: irrigation canals,
small ponds and larger lakes. This species is relatively
common in the investigated region but, compared to the
other anuran species, it is vulnerable.



Fig. 7 Distribution of Bombina bombina


Bombina variegata Linnaeus 1758
The Yellow-Bellied Toad was previously
mentioned for 11 localities in Suceava County (Fuhn,
1960, Ionescu et al, 1968, Şova & Cruce,1969,
Cogălniceanu, 1991), 8 of which coincide with our
research area. We reconfirmed its presence in 7 of the
previously quoted areas and also identified it in 31 new
localities (Table 1). The species is very common in the
studied areas and can be encountered in or near almost
any type of water pool. It is not threatened in Suceava
County.



Fig. 8 Distribution of Bombina variegata


Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata
In 6 of the investigated localities (Feteşti,
Adâncata, Suceava, Şcheia, Costâna and Dărmăneşti)

Preliminary data concerning the distribution of amphibian fauna in Suceava county (Romania) 43
we identified specimens with intermediate
characteristics between Bombina bombina and Bombina
variegata. In western Romania hybrid Bombina
populations are usualy situated at around 150m ASL
(Covaciu-Marcov et al, 2000, 2002, 2003, b, c, 2004,
2005 a, b, 2006, Sas et al 2005) and just above 300m
ASL (Ghira et al, 2002) but the hybrids in Suceava
County were observed at altitudes of around 400m in
the Suceava Plateau, these being some of the highest
known hybridization zones in Romania. Still, the
collected data on this subject is very scarce, therefore
we plan to further investigate it. The presence of
Bombina hybrids is also a premier for Suceava County.







Fig. 9 Samples of Bombina sp. from the same habitat near Suceava
(first line: left – B. bombina, right – B.variegata
second and third line: hybrids)



Fig. 10 Distribution of Bombina hybrids

Pelobates fuscus Laurentus 1768
The Common Spade-Foot Toad was previously
found in 3 localities in Suceava County (Fuhn, 1960).
Probably due to its elusive life style we were unable to
reconfirm its presence there. We only found Pelobates
fuscus in 2 new localities (Table 1). The spade-foot
toad’s situation is yet unclear, therefore further
investigations are imperative.



Fig. 11 Distribution of Pelobates fuscus


Bufo viridis Laurentus 1768
The green toad was previously found in 5 localities
in Suceava County. We have managed to reconfirm its
presence in 2 of them and also identified it in 17 new
localities for the Romanian herpetofauna (Table 1).
Most individuals were found in urban and rural areas.
This species is not threatened in the research area.



Fig. 12 Distribution of Bufo viridis


Bufo bufo Linnaeus 1758
The Common Toad was found, prior to our
research, in 4 localities in Suceava County (Fuhn, 1960,
Ionescu et al, 1968, Stugren & Popovici, 1961). We
encountered this species in 23 new localities (Table 1).
Most individuals were found in April and May, during
the reproductive period in forested areas (deciduous
forests). In some localities we could find hundreds or
even thousands of individuals in a single day. Several
specimens were found dead on communal roads. The
common toad does not seem to be threatened in the
research area.