Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU

Publications of Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU

• 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.

• Preliminary data on the population characteristics of Vipera ursinii moldavica from “Dealul lui Dumnezeu” (Iaşi County, Romania) with notes on conservation

  Authors: Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU, ZAMFIRESCU Oana, Irinel E. POPESCU, ION Constantin

  North-Western Journal of Zoology. 01/2009;

  Dealul lui Dumnezeu is one of the Moldavian sites (the other one is Valea lui David) from where the Moldavian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii moldavica) has been recorded in the past, and which isDealul lui Dumnezeu is one of the Moldavian sites (the other one is Valea lui David) from where the Moldavian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii moldavica) has been recorded in the past, and which is currently inhabited by a viper population. The Moldavian meadow viper is a species of European Community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of protection according to European Union environmental regulations. The population of Vipera ursinii moldavica from Dealul lui Dumnezeu is comparable to the one previously studied from Valea lui David in regard to structure, morphology, assessment of environmental stress based on asymmetry observed during the measurement of bilateral traits, and local threats. Steppic plant communities and several other species (one orthopteran, four amphibian, three reptile, and four bird species) recorded from the study area are of Community interest and need strict protection or/and require the designation of special areas of protection.

• 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.

• 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.