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Theme 5. Herpetofauna & Human - Meet & Share

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Theme 5. Herpetofauna & Human - Meet & Share

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I have checked Martin's business plan for industry and I have been impresses as I could not imagine that point of view. Our plans are different because the levels of protection of nature in 2 countries might be different? For example in Denmark they might have well established volunteer organisations or authorities responsible for the protection of nature so this kind of business plan that Martin has used maybe is more useful for such a country. In contrast, my point of view is that Greece needs a more integrative approach on protecting nature and this herpetofauna so such kind of actions like establishing volunteer organisations which will be collaborate with local authorities, people of the area and scientists is some kind more useful as the protection of nature in my country is inadequate.

Freshwater ecosystem in Crete. Photo WWF

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Design the business plan of a local voluntary organisation which aims to protect the local herpetofauna.
Case
A local voluntary organisation in Karpathos island called "Nature Karpathos" aims to protect the local herpetofauna especially the endemic frog of Karpathos Pelophylac cerigensis.

Step 1. Establishment of the voluntary organisation through meetings, inviting people working on local authorities, scientists and volunteers to decide how they will collaborate to take actions for the protection of the local herpetofauna.
Step 2. Funding through state and local authorities, charity events such as markets and concerts, asking the local people to help the organisation financially explaining that through this business plan the nature of the island will be promoted and thus the nature of the island could attract more tourists.
Step 3. Analysing critical issues related to the herpetofauna (e.g. threats). Scientists initially have to take action for surveys. Also, the protected area Management Body of the area has to be involved to give information on the status of herpetofauna.
Step 4. Involving volunteers among nature lovers, citizens, students
Step 5. Organising activities aimed to surveillance and management of natural areas (e.g. cleaning and restoring the habitats of reptiles and amphibians, the removal of plastic pipes which are used to illegally pump water for crop irrigation).
Step 6. Environmental awareness and education events to spread the knowledge about environmental issues.

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Meet & Share

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Meet & Share

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Comparing to Martin's herpetofauna threats one can see that the main threats of Danish herpetofauna are pollution and invasive species because Denmark is a country located in north Europe and is highly industrialised. In contrast, the main threats to Greek herpetofauna is climate change which will drive to desertification a lot of greek islands, extreme weather condition s and also habitat degradation.

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Actions to European Level for Reptiles

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Actions to European Level for Reptiles

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Red List versus priority for conservation action

Assessment of extinction risk and setting conservation priorities are two related but different processes. Assessment of extinction risk, such as the assignment of IUCN Red List Categories, generally precedes the setting of conservation priorities. The purpose of the Red List categorization is to produce a relative estimate of the likelihood of extinction of a taxon or subpopulation. Setting conservation priorities, on the other hand, which normally includes the assessment of extinction risk, also takes into account other factors such as ecological, phylogenetic, historical, or cultural preferences for some taxa over others, as well as the probability of success of conservation actions, availability of funds or personnel, cost-effectiveness, and legal frameworks for conservation of threatened taxa. In the context of regional risk assessments, a number of additional pieces of information are valuable for setting conservation priorities. For example, it is important to consider not only conditions within the region but also the status of the taxon from a global perspective and the proportion of the global population that occurs within the region. Decisions on how these three variables, as well as other factors, are used for establishing conservation priorities is a matter for the regional authorities to determine.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/redlist/downloads/European_reptiles.pdf

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Actions

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Actions

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Unfortunately, the gap of knowledge concerning the number and condition of wetlands was glaring, particularly in the islands, while wetlands were by and large non-existent in the eyes of the state. Both the state’s and citizens’ ignorance and disregard of these ecological gems resulted in their continuous degradation and shrinkage.
Degradation is a fact for most of these wetlands and it is still ongoing, mainly due to land clearing, filling, building and road development, and the reduction or deprivation of water supply. The main causes of the degradation of island wetlands are:

1. the inadequacy of environmental protection mechanisms

2. the strong pressures of tourism development in coastal areas and the possibility to build outside of the urban plan

3. the lack of knowledge on the part of relevant authorities, services and citizens regarding the existence, the value and the importance of island wetlands.

###Example 1
Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation has been actively studying these unique freshwater ecosystems in islands. Studies have focused on the flora and fauna of the three aforementioned rivers. Each river is equally important and extensive research has been carried out to find which species are present and what actions could be implemented to help protecting these ecosystems.The Halaris river on the island of Ikaria, which is a Natura 2000 site, has been studied extensively since the spring of 2002. The research was supposed to produce a “Special Environmental Assessment Study”, the application of which would ensure the sustainable management of the river valley. With the help of Archipelagos’ volunteers, a plan for the cleaning and restoration of this area was implemented. It primarily involved the removal of plastic pipes which were used to illegally pump water for crop irrigation.
Additionally, posters and leaflets have been created in order to inform the local people about the importance of island freshwater ecosystems and the ways in which they are being destroyed. Further educational material has been created for schools and the local communities. Archipelagos offers field courses and environmental lessons to the students from Ikaria and international graduates in order to show them the significance of these beautiful freshwater ecosystems.
http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/freshwater-ecosystems/

###Example 2
WWF Greece Takes Action
To fill this gap of knowledge, WWF Greece launched the Conservation of Aegean Island Wetlands project in 2004, undertaking the initiative to record the situation and bring to light the importance of Greek island wetlands and the requirements for their preservation. We managed to record 703 wetlands in 67 Aegean islands and 104 in 8 Ionian islands while also setting up a series of activities for their preservation. Within 8 years, we managed to map 703 wetlands in 67 islands of the Aegean and 104 in 8 islands of the Ionian.
Ygrotopio
803 wetlands, 75 islands, 9 years of work, thousands of photographs, 104 square kilometers of wetlands area, and massive amounts of geographical and other information are all just a click away!
All this in Ygrotopio, WWF Greece’s new website dedicated to disseminating environmental information regarding island wetlands. Through an interactive database, users now have the opportunity to embark on a virtual journey to the Greek islands’ most threatened ecosystems, wetlands. All citizens and, especially the ones involved in education, research and the conservation and management of the Greek natural environment are, thus, offered a useful information tool, which includes statistical, geographical and other data and representative images of these ecological jewels.
WWF Greece offers this useful tool through Ygrotopio to citizens, institutions and relevant authorities, seeking their involvement in the rational management of these fragile ecosystems.
Volunteer Network for the Monitoring of Wetlands
A network of volunteers was gradually developed across 6 Aegean islands (Limnos, Lesvos, Paros, Andros, Skyros and Kos) to promptly identify degrading activities and inform the project’s scientific team. Following relevant training, the volunteers would visit the wetlands to monitor their status and report to the scientific team. In Crete, where the project headquarters are, monitoring was most intensive. In the beginning, monitoring activities in Crete were carried out by members of the project team with the help of individual concerned citizens.
Information, Protection, Conservation and Political Intervention
For every degrading activity that the project researchers and monitoring network volunteer identified, an official letter was drafted, in collaboration with the Citizen Support Legal Team of WWF Greece, documenting the case, analyzing the legal framework, and posing specific questions to the relevant services and authorities. Overall, we handled more than 70 cases of degradation in 12 islands. Correspondence exchanged to date adds up to roughly 700 letters. In many cases, considerable fines were imposed, while 5 cases (4 in Crete and 1 in Euboea) involving dozens of accused individuals have been brought to court.
We talk with citizens and pay attention to their concerns. We inform them of the value of their area’s wetlands, in the hope that they will join us in fighting for their conservation.
Presidential Decree
A particularly gratifying development was the establishment of a new institutional framework that, provided that it is consistently implemented, fortifies these valuable ecosystems. Law 3937/2011 “on the conservation of biodiversity and other provisions” paved the way for drafting a Presidential Decree on wetland protection. The Presidential Decree Approval of a list of small island wetlands, and provision of terms and conditions for the protection and conservation of small coastal wetlands included therein, signed in June 2012, emanated from that law. According to the Decree, 380 natural island wetlands in 59 islands, covering up to 80,000 square meters, are protected under strict provisions.
Inclusion in the Open City Spatial and Residential Development Plans
An important step towards the protection of island wetlands at a local level was the effort to have them included in the Open City Spatial and Residential Development Plans. In 2009, memoranda were sent to the competent authorities of all levels (central and regional, prefectural and municipal) requesting that wetlands be included in Open City Spatial and Residential Development Plans and/or General Urban Plans. By 2012, after the positive response of the pertinent services, 69 wetlands had been included as protected areas in Open City Spatial and Residential Development Plans and General Urban Plans in Crete (48 wetlands), Ammouliani (1), Limnos (11), Paros (8) and Leros (1).

Information and Photo from Archipelagos, WWF
https://www.wwf.gr/index.php/en/areas/island-wetlands

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Climate change

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Theme 4. Threats to herpetofauna - Climate change

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Greece being a Mediterranean country faces the problem of increased desertification, with its islands being listed as areas of high desertification risk. The impacts of these specific changes are expected to influence significantly biodiversity, composition and functionality of ecosystems, soil structure, water reserves and island landscape. The predictions for the island ecosystems are particularly ominous, since climate change is expected to sharpen further the environmental problems already derived from the abandonment of traditional land uses (i.e. cultivation of terraces). The natural island environment will also be subjected to negative impacts, e.g. increase in ecosystem susceptibility and reduction of abundance of species and biodiversity (Karamanos and Voloudakis, 2011). As such, extreme weather conditions such as increased aridity and desertification will negatively affect micro-habitats especially ponds and isolated biotopes and thus herpetofauna. Lyciasalamandra helverseni which is endemic to three Aegean islands: Karpathos, Saria, and Kasos. exhibit significant local isolations and high degree of inbreeding, mostly due to extensive degradation and habitat destruction, climatic alterations and human activities.

Hof et al. (2011) assessed the spatial distribution and interactions of climate change, land-use change and pathogen diseases in relation to the global distribution of amphibian species. They have shown that the greatest proportions of species negatively affected by climate change are projected to be found in Africa, parts of northern South America and the Andes. He also reported that regions with the highest projected impact of land-use and climate change coincide, but there is little spatial overlap with regions highly threatened by the fungal disease. Although, from the figures published in this paper we can extract some interesting results. For amphibians, climate change acts synergistically with other human pressures such as land use and pathogen disease chytridiomycosis. In Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Italy it seems that the pathogen disease and climate change both have negative effects on amphibians.

Spatial distribution and pairwise overlap of the three main factors threatening global amphibian biodiversity, projected for the year 2080. a, Climate change and chytridiomycosis. b, Climate change and land-use change. c, Chytridiomycosis and land-use change. Figure has been published at Hof et al. (2011).

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Many freshwater and wetland ecosystems where a number of amphibians can be found have been lost or irreversibly damaged. In the last two generations Greece has lost two thirds of its wetland habitats. While natural threats, such as erosion, flooding and drought can be harmful to freshwater ecosystems, they do not cause as much damage as the anthropogenic activities. Such factors include:
Aquifer salinization
Aquifers found in low-lying areas are often linked to wetland ecosystems. If the water from underground aquifers is pumped out too often, they may become salinized due to seawater intrusion. When such aquifer rehydrates the wetland ecosystem, this saline water may affect the local flora and fauna.
Farmland expansion
Expansion of farmland puts great pressure on rivers and freshwater systems. Freshwater is needed for the irrigation of crops; only a few of them can tolerate saltwater. This problem is especially visible on small Greek islands, where freshwater may be a rarity. Many rivers on the island of Ikaria suffer from illegal water pumping for irrigation purposes.
River modification
Many rivers have been affected by anthropogenic activities, such as construction of reservoirs and dams or straightening the river channels. These alterations change the way in which the water flows and puts pressure on the surrounding catchment area. Local flora and fauna species are likely to suffer, especially if artificial base layers are added to the rivers. A dam, for example, may block the natural migration routes of different species. Ultimately, modification of any freshwater ecosystem changes the whole way in which it functions.
Introduction of invasive species
The introduction of exotic or non-native species to a freshwater ecosystem can seriously damage it. The introduced species may outcompete the native ones as a result of competition for resources. These introductions are often accidental, however, some are not. For example, the introduction of goldfish into the Myrsonas river took place to make it more aesthetically pleasant for tourists.
Tourism
The influx of tourists to the island of Ikaria is one of the largest threats to its freshwater ecosystems, especially during summer months. Tourists who do not respectthe environment often use the river in unacceptable ways, predominantly due to their own ignorance. For example, using detergents to wash clothes releases toxins into the water system. Such substances are potentially lethal to flora and fauna species. In general, the litter left by tourists damages the environment both aesthetically and ecologically.
Overgrazing
Overgrazing is happening in islands, thus soil erosion is accelerated.
Information & photo: http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/freshwater-ecosystems/

The photo shows aquifer salinisation.

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Theme 4. Extinction Risk and the Conservation of Madagascar's reptiles

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Theme 4. Extinction Risk and the Conservation of Madagascar's reptiles

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The diversity and abundance of species needs to be studied in order to identify changes in forest dynamics, populations, habitat health and identify potential localised threats. However, we have to take conservation management actions such discussing with protected area (PA) managers about the establishment of protected areas and how they are implemented in the conservation of threatened reptile species.
Reptile Survey – We will survey reptile populations in the following habitats (open plantation, coffee plantation, shrubby forest, closed canopy forest, primary forest).

We will use two different methods for this, each focuses on different niches. One is transect surveys, volunteers walk along set 250m transects identifying all reptiles and amphibians seen. The second is plot searches, during these volunteers actively search through a pre-defined plot looking for cryptic species. In addition to the intensive transect and plot searches we are using pitfall traps to study ground dwelling reptiles. Most surveys will happen during the day however we carry out weekly night walks surveying for nocturnal species using the same methods.

Protected Areas management - We will also survey and convene a workshop with PA managers in Madagascar asking about the impacts of PA establishment. We believe that the managers will support that PAs have been successful in reducing threats. However, quite a few managers lack specific knowledge of trends in species abundance, reporting the need for more species monitoring and knowledge transfer from scientific researchers. We argue that greater collaboration and exchange of knowledge between researchers, managers, and local communities is necessary to ensure that PA effectiveness research is of practical value and contributes to improved PA outcomes.

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Theme 3. Ichthyosaura alpestris ecophysiological profile

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Theme 3. Ichthyosaura alpestris ecophysiological profile

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During the mating season early in the year, the males exhibit dark-blue colouring on their backs; their flanks have white-black-spotted stripes below sky-blue stripes, and their bellies are bright orange. The females, in water camouflage, are mottled brown and have some weak spotting on their backs. The biggest of the males can reach up to 9 cm, and the females up to 12 cm in length. After the mating season, they return their original colour of mottled brown.
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
The Alpine Newt usually is not numerous, but its population density locally reaches 1 specimen per 0.5 m2 in some ponds, usually one specimen per 20-50 m2 at most suitable sites. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, the species is most numerous in forest habitats at altitudes from 500 to 900 m, i.e. on average higher than Lissotriton montandoni. In general, I. alpestris seems to have a narrower ecological niche than L. montandoni and a lower total population number.

The daily activity is similar to that of Triturus and Lissotriton. Hibernation begins in September - October and ends in February (or earlier in the south) to May. The variation in timing and duration of active period depends on latitude and altitude. In highlands the activity period is shorter.

The same applies for its reproductive period. In general, the courtship pattern of the Alpine Newt is more similar to that in Lissotriton vulgaris and Lissotriton montandoni than in the crested newts (Triturus cristatus superspecies). Adults and larvae tend to be bottom dwellers. The clutch contains probably 73-190 eggs deposited singly or in short chains of 3-5 eggs over a few days. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, metamorphosis occurs in September, later than in other newt species. However, larval hibernation and even neoteny (i.e. reproduction in the larval condition) occurs frequently in this species. Some populations in the mountains consist mostly of neotenic individuals. The sexual maturity in normal individuals is reported for the age of two or three years.

Just after transition to active feeding, larvae of the Alpine Newt eat prey of the same taxa as larvae of the Carpathian Newt. During subsequent development, they consume increasing amounts of Mollusca, large forms of microcrustaceans (Daphniidae), and aquatic insects. In general, larval I. alpestris feed on more benthic prey than other syntopic larval newts. Feeding of adults is similar to that in other newts, such as those in the genus Triturus, and Lissotriton. Consumption of terrestrial prey by aquatic adults, as well as oophagy on nesting sites, is common.

Dorsal crests in male newts (family Salamandridae) are particularly conspicuous during breeding season and their origin may be related to the complex courtship behaviors of these salamanders. In a new analysis that looks at many species and combines information on evolutionary relationships with data on morphology as well as behaviors, Wiens et al. (2011) reveal a complex relationship among these traits. The various dorsal crest traits (in mature males) that characterize different species have been lost repeatedly. The evolution of the dorsal crest may be related to certain specific behaviors such as fanning and whipping of the tail. Species with higher numbers of crest-related traits also have larger repertoires of courtship behaviors.
https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4292

https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/12776
High incidence of dorsal dark spots in north-western Greek populations of alpine newts Ichthyosaura alpestris (Salamandridae, Caudata)

Predatory behaviour of alpine (Ichthyosaura alpestris) and smooth (Lissotriton vulgaris) newts towards conspecific and heterospecific eggs and larvae
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03949370.2016.1211742

Photo: Distribution map of Ichthyosaura alpestris according to IUCN

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Theme 3. Stellagama stellio ecophysiological profile

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Theme 3. Stellagama stellio ecophysiological profile

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Etymology (Stellagama). The choosen nomen is a composition of the nomina Stellio (as allusion of the formerly used name of the genus) and Agama (to show the affiliation to the Agamidae). But ‘Stella’ is also the latin word for star which refers to the English common name ‘starred agama’.
Like many agamids, S. stellio can change its color to express its mood. It basks on stone walls, rocks, and trees. It is usually found in rocky habitats, and is quite shy, being very ready to dive into cracks to hide from potential predators.

Males are larger than females in snout-vent length and head index. The species is a sit-and-wait predator and feeds on insects, mainly coleopterans. About 30% of stomachs included plant material. No difference between sexes exist in terms of prey size preference. The reproductive season is seen to be year round with no distinctive seasonality. The smallest sexually mature female measured 92 mm SVL, whereas the smallest sexually reproductive male was 89 mm SVL. Clutch size ranged from 6 to 18 eggs.

Diet and reproductive biology of the Starred Agama, Laudakia stellio (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Agamidae), in the northern Sinai, Egypt
Zoology in the Middle East 59(2)
DOI:10.1080/09397140.2013.810875

First record of ophiophagy in the roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio): one of the most rare feeding behaviors among European lizards
https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/viewFile/9775/12621

Skin Pigmentation of Stellagama stellio (L. 1758) (Reptilia: Agamidae) Depends on Climate Conditions and Altitude
http://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/downloads/acta-zoologica-bulgarica/2017/69-3-327-333.pdf

At higher altitudes, the melanophores in dorsal skin were larger and its melanin pigments aggregated in melanophores. The aggregation of the melanin pigments indicated the skin had lighter colour. The melanin pigments tended to be dispersed at lower altitudes. The skin of populations inhabiting hot climates and lower altitudes was more pigmented, while populations from steppe and higher altitudes exhibit lower pigmentation when comparing melanophores areas.

THE AGAMA LIZARD: A COLD-BLOODED FRIEND

The agama is common in the Middle East and is beneficial to humans.
https://www.jpost.com/Metro/The-Agama-lizard-A-cold-blooded-friend-466654
The agama can reach 30 cm. in length, which makes it a fairly large lizard. It has spiny scales on its body and especially on the tail. It can change its body colors depending on different situations. In the early morning it will show as dark colored in order to help absorb the heat of the sun as efficiently and quickly as it can.

Photo: Stellagama stellio (taken from IUCN)

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Theme 3. Physiology and ecology of the herpetofauna

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Theme 3. Physiology and ecology of the herpetofauna

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Greece vs Denmark Herpetofauna
Comparing my results and Greek herpetofauna with Martin Nielsen Danish herpetofauna although someone can find similarities as far as amphibian species e.g. Ichthyosaura alpestris is distributed in both countries but also significant differences e.g. in the presence of reptile species. Due to the warm and arid climate of Greek islands and other parts of the country especially in the north Greece is of special importance as far as reptile species richness in contrast to Denmark.

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Theme 2. Distribution map of Podacris milensis

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Theme 2. Distribution map of Podacris milensis

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Podacris milensis

The Milos wall lizard (Podarcis milensis) is a small Mediterranean lizard and reproduces in Milos island. According to IUCN the small lizard is classified as "Vulnerable".

Description
The lizard's body length is no more than 6.5 cm, and the tail is twice as long. The lizard looks sturdy, and has a broad head. The male's appearance is characteristic for the species. The back is usually brown, and has a slight longitudinal line in the middle of it. Flanks, throat and the sides of the head are black with white, yellow, blue or light green spots. The belly has often black patterning. A typical female has white stripes on the edges of its back, and some distinctive spots in the throat.

The Milos wall lizard inhabits a few Aegean islands in Greece. They are Milos, Kimolos, Falkonera, Antimilos and Parapola. The species prefers cultivated lands. These lizards bask in the sun in the banks and piles of stones. They hunt in the open ground or among plants.

Reproduction
https://bioone.org/journals/Copeia/volume-2000/issue-2/0045-8511(2000)000[0610:SCSIAM]2.0.CO;2/Small-Clutch-Size-in-a-Mediterranean-Endemic-Lacertid-iPodarcis-milensis/10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000[0610:SCSIAM]2.0.CO;2.short

Physiology
https://brill.com/view/journals/ijee/51/1/article-p39_4.xml

Diet
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1560/Q2X8-NLMU-6BHQ-5EJ8?journalCode=tiee19

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Pelophylax cerigensis

The endemic amphibian Pelophylax cerigensis inhabits and reproduces in N. Karpathos. The Karpathos frog is one of three endemic species of the amphibian fauna of Greece and is classified as “Critically Endangered” in Greece.

Description
The species authority described one male, four females, and four juveniles. The male holotype had a body length of 41 mm, and no female body lengths were listed. The foot webbing extends to the toe tips. The body is medium size, with a mean body length of 54.5 mm. The tibia is long, the callus internus is short and of medium height, and the digitus primus is moderately sized. Males have paired external lateral vocal sacs (Beerli et al. 1994).

Pelophylax cerigensis is part of the western Palearctic water frog group, which is differentiated from the Palearctic brown frog group by its extensive foot webbing, males’ external lateral vocal sacs, mottling on inner thighs, and absence of a black face mask. In contrast to the calls of Pelophylax cretensis, the calls of Pelophylax cerigensis do not have amplitude subdivision beyond pulse groups (Beerli et al. 1994).

Dorsally, Pelophylax cerigensis is light brown or olive, and may have brown spots. There is no vertebral stripe, and the venter is creamy with mottled gray. The males have gray vocal sacs (Beerli et al. 1994).

Pelophylax cerigensis is found in Karpathos, Greece (and possibly also in Rhodes), at elevations around 300 m (Beerli et al. 1994). Pelophylax cerigensis is only known with certainty from a single river on northern Karpathos Island. The mountainous river is near Olimbos. The required habitat is still or slow-moving waters where mating and larval development occur (Beerli et al. 2009).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Males make advertisement calls that last for around 341 milliseconds (with an standard deviation of 44 milliseconds) and have short intercall intervals of around 276 milliseconds (standard deviation of 54 milliseconds). The calls have approximately six pulse groups (standard deviation of 0.09), each lasting close to 57 milliseconds (standard deviation of 5 milliseconds) and having intervals of around 41 milliseconds (standard deviation of 15 milliseconds). Each pulse group contains over 100 pulses. Vocal recordings were made at a water temperature of 20 degrees C and an air temperature of 18 degrees C (Beerli et al. 1994).

Trends and Threats
Modest populations of frogs on Karpathos face threats from scarcity of surface water, deforestation, and degradation of aquatic habitat caused by humans (Beerli et al. 1994). Degradation and loss of aquatic habitat remain the most immediate threats. Although the main habitat area is fairly removed, it faces water abstraction, climate change, and fires. IUCN lists Pelophylax cerigensis as "Critically Endangered" due to its severely limited area of occurrence (less than 100 km²) and area of occupancy (less than 10 km²). The only location from which it is known continues to face habitat loss and habitat quality decline. The current population is believed to be declining, but is not severely fragmented (Beerli et al. 2009).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss
Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities
Subtle changes to necessary specialized habitat
Climate change, increased UVB or increased sensitivity to it, etc.

The Crete water frogs diverged from other western Palearctic frogs anywhere from five to six million years ago. Karpathos frogs diverged from Anatolian frogs around three million years ago. These dates were obtained through genetic protein electrophoresis data. Pelophylax cerigensis is sister to Pelophylax bedriagae in both genetic (allelic differences at only 2 of 31 loci) and geographic distance (Beerli et al. 1994).

The species epithet “cerigensis” comes from Cerigo, which is a Latin name for Karpathos. Pelophylax cerigensis is the only water frog on Karpathos (Beerli et al. 1994).

Pelophylax cerigensis was previously named Rana cerigensis (Beerli et al. 1994).

Information: https://amphibiaweb.org/species/5000

Diet composition of the Karpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis): what does the most endangered frog in Europe eat?

Pafilis, P., Kapsalas, G., Lymberakis, P., Protopappas, D., Sotiropoulos, K., 2019. Diet composition of theKarpathos marsh frog (Pelophylax cerigensis): what does the most endangered frog in Europe eat? Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 42.1: 1–8
https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2019.42.0001

http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/files/ABC_42-1_pp_1-8.pdf

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Assess the problem
The effect of climate change on organisms in Europe is a combination of all the previous first 4 options (1-4).
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ecog.03137
Quaternary history, population genetic structure and diversity of the cold-adapted Alpine newt Ichthyosaura alpestris in peninsular Italy
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-03116-x

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Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: NA
Genus: NA
Species: NA

Fossil amphibians and reptiles from the earliest late Miocene of Plakias (Crete, Greece) are described in this paper. Most of the material is fragmentary, precluding precise taxonomic assignment. Nevertheless, the herpetofauna of Plakias is here shown to be diverse, comprising at least six different taxa: an alytid anuran, a crocodilian, two turtles (a pan-trionychid and a geoemydid) and two squamates (an amphisbaenian and a colubroid snake). The crocodilian material represents the first such fossils described from Greece and furthermore, one of the latest occurrences of this group in Europe. The pan-trionychid and the geoemydid represent the oldest occurrences of these groups in Greece and further add to their scarce Miocene record from this country. The first description of a fossil amphisbaenian from Greece is also provided. The new specimens from Plakias add to our knowledge of the Miocene herpetofaunas of southeastern Europe.

Information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016699516300973?via%3Dihub

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Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Testudo
Species: marmorim

Age range: 8.7 to 7.75 Ma
Type specimen: MNHN PIK 3683, a partial shell. Its type locality is Pikermi, which is in a Miocene fluvial horizon in Greece.

Ecology: ground dwelling herbivore-herbivore

Environments: fluvial (1 collection), terrestrial (1)

Age range: 8.7 to 7.75 Ma

Distribution:

• Miocene of Greece (2 collections)

Total: 2 collections each including a single occurrence

Information: http://fossilworks.org/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=347955

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Theme 1 - HerpetoArea relative to human settlements and industrialized regions 

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Theme 1 - HerpetoArea relative to human settlements and industrialized regions 

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Many freshwater and wetland ecosystems have been lost or irreversibly damaged. In the last two generations Greece has lost two thirds of its wetland habitats. While natural threats, such as erosion, flooding and drought can be harmful to freshwater ecosystems, they do not cause as much damage as the anthropogenic activities.

Photo and information: http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/freshwater-ecosystems/

This is the largest frog species native to Europe, which may grow up to 15 cm in length. It is a fairly robust species, found in a variety of freshwater ecosystems, including those on the Aegean island of Ikaria. Generally, the marsh frog is a diurnal species, although it can also be seen during the night. It is a very vocal species and it is more likely to be heard before it is seen. It is also a very social species, often forming large groups along river banks. At the moment, due to its large population and widespread distribution, the IUCN has classified it as Least Concern. Luckily it is a reasonably tolerant species, which can survive in polluted and saline environments. As a result, it should be a resident of freshwater ecosystems for a long time to come.

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Photo from: https://stock.adobe.com/gr_en/search?as_channel=dpcft&as_source=ft_web&as_campaign=us_interception&as_campclass=brand&as_content=lp_search&k=lacerta+graeca

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx4Uq-VLaTQ

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Photo from:https://www.outdooractive.com/de/bergtour/epirus/drakolimni-und-gamila-2497-m-im-tymfi-massiv-pindus-gebirge-zagori/17675279/

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ein drache aus dem drakolimni - sein wissenschaftlicher name- triturus alpestris

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Greece has a huge number of ruined archaeological monuments especially in islands. These places with numerous small caves and stones host a great number of reptiles such as Lacerta viridis.

Photo: Ruinis of archaelogical monuments in Daskalio, Keros island
https://www.news.gr/travel/article/1374229/keros-to-archeotero-naftiko-iero-ston-kosmo.html

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Freshwater habitats are fairly uncommon across the Aegean islands. However, several watercourses are present on the island of Ikaria but also on other islands such as Milos and Karpathos. Most of them flow from the south to the north. These small wetlands are of high herpetological value because of high herpetofauna richness. The islands of the Aegean are "suffering" from intensive aridity especially in summer. As a result, in these small area wetlands live amphibians which some of them are endemic (e.g. Pelophylax cerigensis in Karpathos)

Photo: Ikaria wetlands
http://archipelago.gr/en/our-work/terrestrial-conservation/freshwater-ecosystems/

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The mountainous area of Tymphi with the well-known peak of Gamila, the draconime that is here since the glaciers, the mountain shelter of Astrakasta 2000 meters, give experience to climbers looking for a special mountain. However, apart from this excellent beauty there are plenty of lakes at this high elevation where we can find habitats for Alpine newts (e.g. Triturus alpestris) but also for other amphibians.

Photo: Drakolimni Alpine Lake
http://www.hellaspath.gr/index.php?p=2&m=1&mntid=16

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Three characteristic habitats of herpetological importance in Greece

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Three characteristic habitats of herpetological importance in Greece

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Greece  (131,940 km2) has 64 reptile species (10 out of 64 are endemic species) and 22 amphibian species (3 out of 22 are endemic species). The reptile species richness per km2 in Greece is the largest in Europe. Due to the unique position of the country in the Mediterranean region (eastern part), in Greece we can find species from European herpetofauna (e.g. Hellenolacerta graeca), Asiatic herpetofauna (e.g. Pelobates syriacus) and of African herpetofauna (e.g. Chameleo africanus). There are also significant differences between the eastern and the western part of Greece as far as the herpetofauna both in species richness and species distribution. This is because the inland Greece is of higher amphibian and reptile species richness than the species richness of the islands. However, endemism is higher in islands.
http://herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=bibliografia&