STRUGARIU Alexandru

Publications of STRUGARIU Alexandru

• A melanistic adder (Vipera berus) neonate born from a cryptic female: Are black vipers born heavier?

  Authors: STRUGARIU Alexandru, Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2009;

  The ecological advantages and disadvantages of melanism in reptiles, especially in the adder (Vipera berus (L. 1758)), have been intensively studied over the years. General consideration would agreeThe ecological advantages and disadvantages of melanism in reptiles, especially in the adder (Vipera berus (L. 1758)), have been intensively studied over the years. General consideration would agree that, in most cases, adders which go on to become melanistic, are born cryptic, with a typical zigzag pattern, and darken with age, becoming black in the second or third year of life. In the present note we report the second known case in which a cryptic female adder gave birth to a melanistic neonate. Based on the fact that the observed body mass (7 g) of the melanistic neonate lies beyond the upper 95% confidence zone of the expected body mass (5.74g ± 0.977) calculated using the linear regression model from the cryptic neonates for a snout-vent length of 175 mm, and on the supporting literature, we propose a new hypothesis (which should be tested in future studies) according to which, melanistic adders may benefit of a significant higher fitness since birth.

• First record of the adder (Vipera berus berus) in Argeş County (Southern Romania)

  Authors: STRUGARIU Alexandru, Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU, GHERGHEL Iulian

  Biharean Biologist. 01/2009;

  The adder (Vipera berus berus) is a very widespread but threatened taxon in Romania. The southern slopes of the Southern Carpathians represent the subspecies’ southern range limit and theThe adder (Vipera berus berus) is a very widespread but threatened taxon in Romania. The southern slopes of the Southern Carpathians represent the subspecies’ southern range limit and the distribution of the adder in this area is scarcely known due to a lack of recent surveys. Here we present a new record for the adder in the SouthernCarpathians, which represents the first known observation of the adder in Argeş County. The record is based on two live specimens observed in July 2008, near the village of Sătic, on the east bank of the Dâmboviţa River, within the boundaries of the “Piatra Craiului” National Park. Ecological and conservation aspects for V. b. berus at its southern range limit are also discussed.

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

  Authors: 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;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.

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

  Authors: 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 threatenedRomanianThe 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)

  Authors: 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. ThisThe 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)

  Authors: 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. ThirteenThis 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

  Authors: 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 2Dolichophis 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.

• A new record for the Blotched Snake Elaphe sauromates (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Romania

  Authors: Paul Lucian ŢIBU, STRUGARIU Alexandru

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2007;

  Elaphe sauromates is a critically endangered species in Romania, being cited in the past in very few localities from south-eastern Romania (Dobrudja and Moldavia). On the 13th of May, 2007, a youngElaphe sauromates is a critically endangered species in Romania, being cited in the past in very few localities from south-eastern Romania (Dobrudja and Moldavia). On the 13th of May, 2007, a young adult female Elaphe sauromates was found in the geographical unit of “Subcarpatii de curbură”, near the “Vulcanii Noroiosi Pâclele Mari” Nature Reserve in the administrative territory of Pâclele, in Buzău county (Romania). This is the first sighting of this species outside of Dobrudja for the past 70 years and the first ever record for this species in this region of Romania.

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

  Authors: 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 recordedThe 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 knowledge regarding the geographical distribution of the herpetofauna of Dobrudja, Romania

  Authors: COVACIU-MARCOV Severus-Daniel, GHIRA Ioan, CICORT-LUCACIU Alfred-Ştefan, SAS Istvan, STRUGARIU Alexandru, Horia V. BOGDAN

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2006;

  In Dobrudja we encountered 10 species of amphibians (Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana ridibunda,In Dobrudja we encountered 10 species of amphibians (Triturus dobrogicus, Bombina bombina, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana dalmatina, Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae), 16 species of reptiles (Emys orbicularis, Testudo graeca, Ablepharus kitaibelli, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta trilineata, Podarcis taurica, Podarcis muralis, Eremias arguta, Coronella austriaca, Zamensis longissimus, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Dolichophis caspius, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Vipera ammodytes) and also Rana kl. esculenta populations. Some species of amphibians (Pelobates fuscus, Pelobates syriacus) that were only previously known inform the lower regions of the Danube’s meadow and in the vicinity of the Black Sea, were recorded in the high areas of northern Dobrudja. Also here, all three forms of the green frogs’ complex documented for Romania have been encountered, but Rana lessonae and Rana esculenta are very rare, being found only in the north. The central sectors of Dobrudja are severely impacted by human activities, almost completely cleared as a result of agriculture and showed very low number of herpetofauna species as being present. The most important areas for the herpetofauna are the northern and south-western regions.

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

  Authors: 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 establishThe 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.