Species list of the European herpetofauna – 2020 update by the Taxonomic Committee of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica

Jeroen Speybroeck,Christophe Dufresnes,Daniel Jablonski,Pierre-André Crochet,Iñigo Martínez-Solano,Petros Lymberakis,Miguel Vences,Uwe Fritz,Judit Vörös,Melita Vamberger,Edoardo Razzetti,Wouter Beukema

doi:10.1163/15685381-bja10010

Abstract

Abstract The last species list of the European herpetofauna was published by Speybroeck, Beukema and Crochet (2010). In the meantime, ongoing research led to numerous taxonomic changes, including the discovery of new species-level lineages as well as reclassifications at genus level, requiring significant changes to this list. As of 2019, a new Taxonomic Committee was established as an official entity within the European Herpetological Society, Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH). Twelve members from nine European countries reviewed, discussed and voted on recent taxonomic research on a case-by-case basis. Accepted changes led to critical compilation of a new species list, which is hereby presented and discussed. According to our list, 301 species (95 amphibians, 15 chelonians, including six species of sea turtles, and 191 squamates) occur within our expanded geographical definition of Europe. The list includes 14 non-native species (three amphibians, one chelonian, and ten squamates).

Highlights

The last species list of the European herpetofauna was published by Speybroeck, Beukema and Crochet (2010)
We aimed at informing the taxonomic backbone of the Fauna Europaea initiative, and our geographical area includes all territories that are covered by Fauna Europaea
In addition to SBC2010, we followed the taxonomy of Gasc et al (1997, 2004, including the changes adopted by Dubois and Crochet in the 2004 reprint), and for species outside Europe, Sindaco and Jeremcenko (2008) and Sindaco, Venchi and Grieco (2013)

Summary

Introduction

In addition to SBC2010, we followed the taxonomy of Gasc et al (1997, 2004, including the changes adopted by Dubois and Crochet in the 2004 reprint), and for species outside Europe (including Macaronesia and Cyprus), Sindaco and Jeremcenko (2008) and Sindaco, Venchi and Grieco (2013). Together, these four sources led to a starting point species list. Taxa connected by bimodal or trimodal hybrid zones (Gay et al, 2008) were unanimously treated as Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2020 03:11:04PM via free access

Species list of European herpetofauna

Species list

Findings

Meadow Lizard