ГЕРПЕТОФАУНА ПРИРОДНОГО ЗАПОВІДНИКА "ЄЛАНЕЦЬКИЙ СТЕП" ТА ЙОГО ОКОЛИЦЬ

Abstract

As a result of monitoring research conducted in 2015-2017 on the territory of the nature reserve “Yelanetskyi steppe" and adjacent areas, 5 amphibian species (fire-bellied toad, green toad, common spadefoot, marsh frog, H. arborea) and 7 species of reptiles (sand lizard, green lizard, blotched snake, large whipsnake, grass snake, dice snake, pond turtle). The presence of some of the species specified in the project of the reserve creation, namely pond turtle, green lizard, large whipsnake, steppe viper, common toad and common newt has not been confirmed on the reserve's territory. The presence of 8 species was registered directly on the territory of the reserve, and another 4 species were registered in the vicinity of the rivers Gromokliya and Gniloy Yelanets. The most numerous among the identified amphibians are the semi-terrestrial species, such as the common spadefoot and the marsh frog. Sand lizard is the most widespread reptile species within the reserve territory and its population is characterized by an exceptional variety of coloration morphology. It should be noted that for more than a 30-year period a unique numerous population of the blotched snake has been preserved here. According to original data, more than two dozen snake specimens were registered in the vicinity of the Rosa beam. Due to climatic changes, it is proposed to expand the reserve's territory in ecotone river areas where there are finds of blotched snakes and large whipsnakes (RBU, 2009), green lizards (RBU, 2009) and pond turtles (IUCN (LR/NT)) to conserve biodiversity and protect rare species. In particular, the expansion of the boundaries of the reserve is necessary in the context of climate change, as it leads to a shift in the natural habitats of certain amphibian and reptile species, and is also an important step towards the expansion of the Emerald Network of Ukraine