Trends in the Transition of Alien Herpetofauna Species to the Status of Invasive in the Krasnodar Kray

Abstract

For the first time, a record of Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810) in Krasnodar is noted. The origin of this lizard, presumably, is associated with the importation of large-sized planting material. In addition, for the first time, reproduction of Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839), in the nature was revealed near Sochi; the data from the moment of oviposition to the emergence of newborns from nesting chambers were collected. The size and color characteristics of T. scripta found in Sochi are described. Active resettlement allowed T. scripta to occupy the entire Imeretinskaya Lowland and the valley of the lower reaches of the Psou River. Monitoring of Podarcis siculus in the environs of Sochi indicates an increase in the range by almost eight times, with a modern habitat area of 200.6 ha. The high population density and a large number of young individuals clearly show the transition of the species from alien to invasive status. A new find in November 2021 of Mediterranean House Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) indicates the strengthening of this exotic animal in the resort and a slight expansion of the range, about 1 km east of the initial record in Sochi. All of the listed species are, to varying degrees, synanthropic, what also contributes to their active distribution in the region.