Reptiles in Serbia: Distribution and diversity patterns

Abstract

In this paper we present confirmed and potential distribution ranges of all native Serbian reptile species. The information provided herein presents the combination of the newly collected faunistic data and previously published records. The centres of reptilian diversity in Serbia were evaluated, in order to focus future conservation efforts on the regions of particular importance for the protection of TOMOVIĆ ET AL.: REPTILES IN SERBIA -DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY 130 this understudied group of animals. We found four main centres of species richness: three in Metohija and one in Šumadija, with 17-21 species per 50 × 50 km square. Analysis of the similarity of species composition in different regions of Serbia showed that South-eastern Serbia is the most distinct from other regions of Serbia, due to high number of Mediterranean species, with two being found exclusively in that region (E. quatuorlineata and P. najadum). Metohija is also very distinct, due to the highest number of species and significant number of specific (Mediterranean) faunal elements. The remaining geographic regions are grouped into three clusters, with Kosovo-Southern Serbia cluster being especially distinct in the terms of species richness and the presence of Mediterranean species. We also compared Serbian herpetofauna with those in other Balkan countries, considering species' numbers and zoogeographic herpetofaunistic elements. Serbian herpetofauna is closest to the Romanian. Zoogeographic analysis showed that reptilian fauna of Serbia consists of eight chorotypes, with the Eastern-Mediterranean (nine species) and Southern-European (five species) as the most dominant ones.

Contribution to the herpetofauna of Serbia: Distribution of reptiles in Kosovo and Metohija province

“…The  first important step preceding the studies of systematics, ecology and biogeography is the comprehensive knowledge of biodiversity of a certain region. Therefore, systematic faunistic studies are of increasing significance, especially in the regions or countries with incomplete species distribution data Jelić et al, 2013;Tomović et al, 2014). Detailed distribution data are essential for identification of biodiversity "hotspots" i.e.…”

Late Pleistocene Squamate Reptiles from the Baranica Cave near Knjazevac (Eastern Serbia)

“…All ophidian taxa live today in the vicinity of Knjaževac. Southeastern Serbia is today characterized by the quite rich and distinct reptile fauna and presence of Mediterranean species (TOMOVIĆ et al, 2014), and this was obviously also the case in MIS 3, when Layer 4 was formed. Modern reptile fauna in Serbia is not so rich as in some other Balkan countries, and after its composition and diversity it is most similar to the fauna in Romania (TOMOVIĆ et al, 2014).…”

Asymmetry in the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis under different levels of urbanization: The effect of trait and FA index selection

“…In total, we captured 184 specimens (96 females and 88 males) from different sites: three urban, three suburban and one natural (from 24 to 28 specimens per locality). Sites were classified into three categories according to McKinney [34]: urban (>50% impervious surface), suburban (20- [35]. The other natural habitat is Vršački Breg, but it was not possible to collect a sample due to the extremely small population density.…”