Patterns of spatial and temporal association between Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Vipera berus and Natrix helvetica at artificial refuges

A 3-year study using arrays of artificial refuges to survey for reptiles was carried out on a 20-ha area of mature Calluna heathland in Wareham Forest, south Dorset, UK, between 1993 and 1995. During each of the three years different arrays were used, each duplicated, to investigate the relationships between reptile numbers and array area, refuge number and refuge density. A total of 18 arrays was used with a range in area of 0.335-0.597 ha, a range in refuge number per array of 7-127 and a range of refuge densities of 14-378 ha -1 . Arrays were checked for the presence of reptiles either 25 (1994 and 1995) or 28 (1993) times during the period March/April-October by walking a pre-determined transect route (range: 150-731 ml) visiting each refuge in turn. Individuals of all three snake species were uniquely marked using PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags. During the study 321 smooth snake, 44 grass snake, six adder, 96 sand lizard, 286 slow worm and one common lizard observations were recorded. The majority of smooth snakes (96%), grass snakes (86%) and slow worms (99%) were found beneath refuges, whilst the majority of sand lizards (75%) and the single common lizard were found in the open between refuges (transect walk). Adders were found equally under refuges or in the open. The total number of snake observations represented 77 individual smooth snakes (71 PIT-tagged, six juveniles), 25 individual grass snakes and four individual adders. The total number of smooth snake and sand lizard captures/sightings showed logarithmic relationships with refuge number and refuge density such that at refuge numbers of 37 array -1 and refuge densities of 80-120 ha -1 they levelled off, indicating that these two species were probably resident within the study area. Similar logarithmic relationships for grass snake and slow worm captures showed no levelling off. This indicated that the grass snake, a free-ranging species, could not be considered a resident of the study area, whilst the slow worm, a sedentary species, although a resident, was probably not adequately 'sampled' by the range of refuge densities used. The findings of this study have resulted in a proposed standard method for the surveying of reptiles on dry lowland heath that would enable comparisons to be made both between sites and within sites over time. Thus, with the exception of the sand lizard, for which transect walks resulted in the most sightings, lowland heath should be surveyed for smooth snakes, grass snakes and slow worms using hexagonal arrays of 37 artificial refuges spaced 10m apart, and visited throughout the year between April and October, but with most effort being concentrated in May, June and September. The ability to manage successfully sites known to contain reptiles will be enhanced by the application of the results of this study to the determination of reptile presence and abundance.

The bone remains of amphibians, reptiles and small mammals from the loose sediments of the entrance grotto of the Grebnevaya cave (the middle reaches of the Yuryuzan River, Southern Urals) were studied. Amphibians are represented by Bufo sp., Pelophylax ridibundus and Rana cf. temporaria. Reptiles — Anguis fragilis, Lacerta cf. agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Coronella austriaca, Natrix sp., Vipera berus. The identified species composition of amphibians and reptiles from the locality consists of species characteristic of various biotopes of the mountainous part of the Southern Urals from the early Holocene to the present. In the earlier deposits of the cave (layer 3), remains of Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis, Alexandromys oeconomus, Arvicola amphibius predominate; single remains of Allactaga major and Dicrostonyx torquatus were found. The second layer is dominated by remains of Arvicola amphibius, Microtus arvalis and Alexandromys oeconomus. Ochotona pusilla, Cricetulus migratorius, Lagurus lagurus, Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis and a few Sorex sp., Apodemus ex gr. uralensis-agrarius, Cricetus cricetus, Myodes ex gr. glareolus–rutilus. The youngest layer 1 is dominated by remains of Microtus arvalis, Sorex sp., Myodes ex gr. glareolus–rutilus and Arvicola amphibius. Pteromys volans, Sciurus vulgaris, Apodemus flavicollis, Ochotona pusilla, Cricetulus migratorius, Allocricetulus eversmanni, Lagurus lagurus and Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis were identified. A change in the ecological groups of small mammals is observed in the locality. In layer 3, the proportion of forest and meadow species is small, and the proportion of steppe species is significant, which is typical for the middle and early Holocene of the mountainous part of the Southern Urals. In layer 3, remains of lemmings were found, a tundra species characteristic of the early Holocene. The first layer is characterized by a significant proportion of forest and meadow species, but typical steppe species are also present. The accumulation of bone remains of small mammals in the Grebnevaya Cave location probably occurred at the end of the early and middle Holocene. The near-surface deposits of the first layer are enriched with species more characteristic of the late Holocene and modern times. Изучены костные остатки земноводных, пресмыкающихся и мелких млекопитающих из рыхлых отложений привходового грота пещеры Гребневая (среднее течение р. Юрюзань, Южный Урал). Земноводные представлены Bufo sp., Pelophylax ridibundus и Rana cf. temporaria. Пресмыкающиеся — Anguis fragilis, Lacerta cf. agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Coronella austriaca, Natrix sp., Vipera berus. Выявленный видовой состав земноводных и пресмыкающихся из местонахождения состоит из видов, характерных различным биотопам горной части Южного Урала с раннего голоцена и до современности. В более ранних отложениях пещеры (слой 3) преобладают остатки Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis, Alexandromys oeconomus, Arvicola amphibius, обнаружены единичные остатки Allactaga major и Dicrostonyx torquatus. Во втором слое преобладают остатки Arvicola amphibius, Microtus arvalis и Alexandromys oeconomus. Определены Ochotona pusilla, Cricetulus migratorius, Lagurus lagurus, Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis и немногочисленные Sorex sp., Apodemus ex gr. uralensis-agrarius, Cricetus cricetus, Myodes ex gr. glareolus-rutilus. В наиболее молодом слое 1 преобладают остатки Microtus arvalis, Sorex sp., Myodes ex gr. glareolus–rutilus и Arvicola amphibius. Определены Pteromys volans, Sciurus vulgaris, Apodemus flavicollis, Ochotona pusilla, Cricetulus migratorius, Allocricetulus eversmanni, Lagurus lagurus и Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis. В местонахождении наблюдается смена экологических групп мелких млекопитающих. В слое 3 доля лесных и луговых видов невелика, а доля степных видов значительна, что характерно для среднего и раннего голоцена горной части Южного Урала. В слое 3 обнаружены остатки лемминга — тундрового вида, характерного для раннего голоцена. Первый слой характеризуется значительной долей лесных и луговых видов, но присутствуют и типично степные виды. Накопление костных остатков мелких млекопитающих в местонахождении пещера Гребневая происходило, вероятно, в конце раннего и в среднем голоцене. Приповерхностные отложения первого слоя обогащены видами более характерными для позднего голоцена и современности.

North Sweden ('Norrland' in Swedish) covers 243000 km2 and lies mainly in the boreal biome. The herpetofauna comprises five amphibian and four reptile species: Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, and Vipera berus. Successful conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles depend on accurate information about distribution, habitat affinities, and abundance. Such knowledge is also essential as a benchmark to assess changes in distribution and abundance that may come about as a result of climate change and human habitat alteration. This paper aims to present accurate distribution maps, describe habitat affinities, and provide abundance estimates for the herpetofauna of North Sweden for the period 1970-2022. Distribution data are presented by traditional faunistic provinces, as well as by biotic regions and alpine life zones. Separate sections address post-glacial colonization and a herpetological perspective on anthropogenic changes in relation to species´ present status. Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Zootoca vivipara, and Vipera berus are widely distributed throughout the boreal sub-regions. Rana temporaria, Zootoca vivipara, and Vipera berus also extend into the alpine region. Triturus cristatus, Anguis fragilis, and Natrix natrix occur mainly in the coastal parts of the Southern Boreal region. There are no signs of recent changes in distribution range, but Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, and Rana arvalis have been largely overlooked in the past and have a much wider occurrence than previously recognized. Most species are found in habitats usually not described in all-European field guides. Nearly all anurans hibernate in water. Abundance estimates suggest that some species are more common in the boreal than thought, supporting the notion that a large share of their total European population occurs there. Although local extinctions and declines are known, there are no signs of widespread population decline for any species during the study period.

Diet preferences of the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) being still controversial, we studied the overlap between its habitat and that of its potential reptilian prey species using the artificial refuge (ATR) method. The discriminant function analysis revealed that part of the smooth snake’s habitat niche is unused by one of its prey species – Zootoca vivipara. The smooth snake was recorded more often in places with high density of individuals of another lizard species – Anguis fragilis. Occasional data on snake diets supported the assumption that the latter species is a very important food item for the smooth snake in the study area. Our study estimated the minimum number of times that a site must be visited to infer absence of a particular species, which was 12 for Anguis fragilis, 14 for Coronella austriaca, and 19 for Natrix natrix. Moreover, the study revealed that ATRs should be placed and kept at a site for the whole vegetation season. In the intact bog habitat, the smooth snake was reco...

The results of the research of the current state of reptiles in Western Podillia were presented. Morphometric traits were described; habitat, spread and number of 9 reptile species belonging to 2 lines and 5 families were studied. The regional extinction of Elaphe longissima, which was at the edge of the habitat, was identified. It has been established that the borders of habitats are in the territory of Western Podillia: for Natrix tessellata and Lacerta.viridis – the northern one, for Lacerta vivipara – the southern one.The survey of the found species was made. It was shown that Lacerta agilis appeared to be the most numerous species among reptiles, although its number decreased due to human transformed natural habitats.Such species as Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta viridis, Lacerta vivipara, Coronella austriaca and Vipera berus are in a dangerous situation. These species are found sporadically, and there are all reasons to consider them as those which have decreased their number considerably.Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata are common species. The analysis of reptile occurrence within the region of research has shown that, as to their number, species gravitate to the east and south-east of the region, covering the areas along the left bank of the Dniester River (“Dnistrovskyi canyon”) in Western Podillia Prydnistrovia (administrative territories of Zalishchyky, Bucha, Borshchiv districts of Ternopil region). In Tovtry ridge, they mostly concentrate in the territories of Zbarazh, Pidvolochysk, Husiatyn districts of Ternopil region and Kamianets-Podilsk and Chemerov districts of Khmenlnytskyi region.It is worth mentioning that the area with the highest reptile occurrence coincides with that of reserve “Medobory” and to a lesser degree with the territory of NNP “Podilski Tovtry”. To a great extent the area of reptile concentration coincides with the territory of natural park “Dnistrovskyi canyon”, in particular, closer to the hills of the Dniester River on a tract Beramiany – Ustechko, Zalishchyky – Kasperivtsi (Obizhev and Kasperivskyi reserves) and the outskirts of Dzvenyhorod village, Borshchiv district. In general, the state of reptiles in the region tends to the reduction of the number and diversity of these representatives.

Reptiles are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Hence, long‐term population data is often unavailable, and evidence for effective conservation actions that improve reptile habitat remains scarce for most species. Here we used a before–after control–intervention (BACI) experiment to investigate the impact of basking bank creation on four co‐occurring reptile species: European adder, barred grass snake, slow worm, and viviparous lizard. Long‐term refuge monitoring at a UK wildlife reserve allowed population assessment before and after habitat modification. Only viviparous lizards were observed at basking banks within 12 months of construction. In subsequent years, barred grass snake observations increased near basking banks and slow worms were observed for the first time, while European adder observations increased away from banks and barred grass snake observations decreased away from banks. Our small‐scale BACI study suggests basking banks attracted barred grass snakes from the surrounding area, which saw a corresponding increase in European adder sightings.

Conservation and management of Britain's reptiles based on their ecological and behavioural requirements: A progress report

A study was commissioned by NatureScot to analyse changes in the status of the adder (Vipera berus) and other native reptiles at 16 sites across mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Arran over a 30-year period from 1992-93 to 2022-24. In 2022-24, volunteer surveyors revisited sites that were previously surveyed in 1992-93 to identify changes in occupancy. Visual surveys recorded adder, common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), common frog (Rana temporaria), common toad (Bufo bufo), smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), and palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus). Adders were observed in comparable or even greater numbers at eight sites (seven of the original sites surveyed in 1992-93), but an apparent loss of adders at three of the original sites, and major declines at a previously favourable site on the Scottish Borders are cause for concern. Of the other reptiles, common lizards were the most widespread, recorded at 12 sites; and slow-worms were least often recorded, in low numbers at only four sites, though this could be expected in visual surveys for this cryptic species. This publication reviews the factors most likely to be affecting adders in Scotland, particularly the loss of suitable habitat, the likely historic impact of persecution and the potential effects of disturbance by recreational site users. It highlights the importance of sympathetic habitat management, with a particular focus on maintaining favourable micro-habitats for reptiles.

The research was conducted in 2016–2017 in the 6,613-ha Kozubów Landscape Park (KLP). It focused on the occurrence and distribution of amphibians and reptiles, the biology and phenology of selected species and the existing threats. The KLP, established in 1986, is located in the Nida Basin, covering the eastern part of the Wodzisławski Ridge. This area is characterised by diverse landscape features formed on a chalk substrate. A significant part of the KLP (48.8%) is covered by forests growing on the tops and slopes of loess hills intersected by valleys and gorges. Hornbeam forests and fragments of riparian forests have retained a semi-natural character. The steep, non-forested slopes with a southern and south-western exposure are overgrown by thermophilic xerothermic grasslands. Xerothermic plant communities show a relatively low species diversity, because the main type of substrate in this area is loess. Two nature reserves, Polana Polichno and Wroni Dół, are located within the KLP borders. The following amphibian species were found in the KLP: smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris L.), great crested newt (Triturus cristatus Laur.), European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina L.), common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus Laur.), common toad (Bufo bufo L.), European green toad (Bufotes viridis Laur.), European tree frog (Hyla arborea L.), edible frog (Pelophylax esculentus L.), pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae Cam.), moor frog (Rana arvalis Nilss.) and common frog (Rana temporaria L.). Reptiles are represented by the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis L.), viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara Jacquin), slow worm (Anguis fragilis L.), grass snake (Natrix natrix L.), smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laur.) and common European adder (Vipera berus L.). The study also included the phenology and reproductive biology of common toad and common frog. Major threats to the herpetofauna are posed by grass burning. Unfavourable changes include decreasing water levels and drying out of water bodies.

Kurghalsky Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an extreme western position in the Leningrad Region (with the main city of St. Petersburg). The fauna of the Kurghalsky Wildlife Sanctuary is quite diverse and includes 6 species of amphibians and 5 species of reptiles. The core of herpetofauna is formed by several species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Bufo bufo, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Anguis fragilis, Zootoca vivipara, Vipera berus) widely distributed in the boreal zone of Eurasia. It is enriched by a few subboreal species (Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax ridibundus, Lacerta agilis, Natrix natrix), regionally rare in the taiga zone. The highest diversity of amphibians and reptiles (8 species) was registered in the boreal and intrazonal groups of plant communities such as the forb-grassy meadows, greenmoss and light pine heath forests. The greatest similarity of herpetofaunas is characteristic for communities of spruce and small-leaved forests (93%), small-leaved forests and meadows (93%), broad-leaved forests and bogs (89%), pine and spruce forests (88%) and small-leaved forests and bogs (83%). Differences in the species composition of the local herpetofaunas are associated with a tendency to depletion of the number of species in boreal communities: from coniferous and mixed forests to bogs, reed communities and beaches. The general depletion of herpetofauna of the north is associated primarily with the loss of subboreal elements. The diversity and relatively high density of amphibian and reptile populations indicate the good preservation of forest and coastal ecosystems.

The morphological variability of the nematode Oswaldocruzia filiformis Goeze, 1782 from five reptile species (Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, Vipera berus) was studied in 2018-2020 in the Smolny National Park and the Mordovia State Nature Reserve. We analyzed the morphological characters traditionally used in the taxonomy of Oswaldocruzia spp. A wide morphological variability of nematodes has been found, both in different host species and within the same host species. Variation of the morphological characters of O. filiformis from different reptile species was due to the host-induced variability. The morphological variability of nematodes from the same host species could be due to the phenotypic plasticity of O. filiformis.

THE REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS AND FISHES OF THE BRISTOL DISTRICT

Disease problems caused by viral or bacterial pathogens are common in reptiles kept in captivity. There is no information available on the incidence of viral pathogens or the physiological cloacal bacterial flora of common free-living reptiles in Germany. Therefore, 56 free-living reptiles including 23 European adders (Vipera berus), 12 grass snakes (Natrix natrix) and 21 slow worms (Anguis fragilis) were investigated on the island Hiddensee in northeastern Germany. Pharyngeal and cloacal swabs were taken immediately after capture. Bacteriological examination was performed from the cloacal swabs to study the aerobic cloacal flora. Molecular biological examination included amplification of DNA or RNA from adeno-, rana- and ferlaviruses as well as culturing on Russell's viper heart cells for virus isolation. Salmonella spp. were isolated from European adders but not from the other reptiles examined. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined from the isolated Salmonella spp. However, some potentially human pathogenic bacteria, such as Proteus vulgaris, Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were isolated. Viruses were not detected in any of the examined reptiles. To the authors' best knowledge, the present study is the first survey of viral pathogens in free-living snakes and slow worms in Germany and the first survey of cloacal aerobic bacterial flora of slow worms.

In Belarus’ the smooth snakes ( Coronella austriaca ) is sporadically distributed, mainly along the ecotones of xerophytous biotopes, in dry edges of pine-forests and parvifoliate forest. It is a specialized saurophage feeding on viviparous lizard ( Lacerta vivipara ), sand lizard ( L. agilis ), and slow worm ( A. fragilis ). Cannibalism (10.9%) is supposed to play an important role in regulation of the population number in deficiency of trophic resources. Broader distribution of this species is limited by a narrow spectrum of habitats, trophic specialization, and conservative use of the terrritory. Stable, though very low, number of population groups of smooth snake is regulated by a high level reproductive gain.

Older adults show poorer performance than young adults at word list recall, especially for order information. In contrast with this temporal association deficit, older adults are generally adept at using preexisting semantic associations, when present, to aid recall. We compared the use of temporal and semantic associations in young and older adults' word list recall following both free recall and serial recall instructions. Decomposition of serial position curves confirmed that older adults showed weakened use of temporal context in recall in relation to young adults, a difference that was amplified in serial recall. Older adults' temporal associations were also less effective than young adults' when correlated with serial recall performance. The differential age decrement for serial versus free recall was accompanied by a persistent influence of latent semantic associations in the older adults, even when maladaptive for serial recall.