Angeliki Chatzitheofanous' HERPETOArea GR by Angeliki X

Theme 3 Endemic speciesGR Reptilian ID card-Vivipera ammodytes

angyfun — 2019-03-04 17:55:20 UTC

Species
Vivipera ammodytes
Common name
horned viper, sand viper

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordota
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family Viperidae
Genus Vivepera

Vivipera ammodytes is venomus. It is about 90cm long and its colours vary . It becomes active during day but also at night , when the temperatures are high. Its habitats vary , but they mostly prefer sunny, dry and rocky slopes with a little vegetation. It likes climing on rocks and bushes. It mates in the end of spring and femaled give birth to 4-20 snake eggs in late August. It hibernates on October and wakes up on February-March . Its diet consists of small mammals, small birds , amphibians and lizards. It whistles when it believes it's threatened and coaxes in diffence. It bites if someone step on it or tries to caught it. The bite of Vivipera ammyodes is poisonous so medical treatment should be provided in case of a bite.
It can be found in Greece in Peloponesse, Cyclades & Ionian islands ,Thassos and maybe in Samothrace island.

Intergrated Taxonomic Information System
TSN 634985

Taxonomic Serial
No.: 634985

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634985#null

Theme 3 -Reptile physiology & adaptation to the environment

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:25:53 UTC

Reptiles adapted to the environment. They adapted scales to help minimize the loss of water from their body and this helped with protection against other predators . For example, snakes adapted clear scales that cover and protect their eyes.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/reptile-adaptations-lesson-for-kids.html

Theme 3-Amphibian physiology & adaptation to the environment

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:27:05 UTC

Seems like amphibians found a way to adapt in different situations. When they have to face a desert environment, Tiger salamanders tend to become neotenic by retaining their larvae stage and reproducing as larvas. Terrestrial adults are rarer forms.

https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_adaptations_amph.php

Theme 4 - Degradation and research method

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:28:08 UTC

The need for domestic animals led to the need for bigger grazing lands . Human gradually degrated natural habitats and transformed them . A lot of indigenous species have been desplaced.
Drying of lakes for the preventage of malaria disease . In 1962 , the state of Greece decides the drought of Lake Karla, (Magnisia,Thessally,Greece) .Farmers' income increased, mosquitoes & malaria discharded but a natural water repository and and a rich wetland was lost.
https://ecotourism-greece.com/subdestination/lake-karla-mavrovouni/

Theme 4 - report that includes a list of herpetofauna threats, possible signs of climate change and strategies to help face these threats

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:29:41 UTC

List of herpetofauna threats.
1. The roads that cut in half, animals' house.
ΑΚΑ: ROAD KILL
Annually about 5-600 Milos(Cycledes,GR) vipers are killed by trucks and by intentional killing. The population probably totals around 7-8,000 individuals
2.Tourism and artificial lighting .The Caretta caretta sea turtle in Zakynthus island losses her orientation, gets lost and dies.
3.Intensive agriculture
4.Groundwater aquifer pollution/contamination
5.Habitat lost
6.Loss of reproduction sites
7. Reduction of annual rainfall
8.Environmental drought

http://kpe-kastor.kas.sch.gr/biodiversity_site/b/interuption.htm

Theme 5 -Business plan-Conservation and maintenance of wildlife Farm

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:31:07 UTC

My suggestion is to create a farm with reptiles, amphibians , insects, birds and small mammals . In my area where i temporarily live (Evros,Greece) exists a Forestry and Agricultural University. In cooperation with the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park and our local University's Students and Professors that are close this subject it could be possible to create an "artificial ecosystem". The farm will contain a place like a lab that we will keep , feed , fertilize, help reproduce some species and take care of the wounded ones . The "lab" won't be open for the public but the farm will be open to the public with certain opperation hours and a small -mostly symbolic- financial price in order to concerve the species . There is also going to be a shop for visitors . The shop will provide things such as books, eco bags, cups ,t-shirts and animal models with a planet friendly message that will remind to people how beautiful and important these species are. Also leaflets will be distributed. All the money will go fo the maintenance of the farm. In this way citizens will be sensitized and wil be more concious about species extinction. They will learn which species are venomous and which are totally harmless. Because one of the most intense problems in Greece is that people don't recognize the poisonous snakes and kill them all , poisonous or not.

Theme 1-Habitat Photo-Dadia Forest and Evros' Delta

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:41:09 UTC

Evros Delta is an important wetland on a national, European and international level. For many years it is a Protected Area, as it has a big value for wildlife and humanity.Part of the ecosystem stretching from the eastern ends of the Rodopi to the Evros Delta, the forest of Dadia, is a complex of habitats with species of European and Asian flora and fauna. The protected habitat harbors rich and diverse bird populations (among them world-wide endangered species of raptors), reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Theme1-reptile fossil ID in Greece

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:43:14 UTC

Reptile fossils was found near Thessaloniki,Greece in 1879. Laophis Crotaloides is a big venomus viper snake. It is claimed to be as the largest viper ever in the Quarterly Journal of The Geological Society .

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: †Laophis
Species: †L. crotaloides

https://www.livescience.com/48629-biggest-venomous-snake-fossils-found.html

Theme1-Reptile's phylogenetic tree

angyfun — 2019-03-04 18:43:41 UTC

Theme 2- My Hypothesis

angyfun — 2019-03-06 08:41:11 UTC

The global average temperature changed and decreased stepping into cooler intervals. Some members of the race-the weakest ones- could't resist the cold, so they died. Others migrated to warmer places but it was still colder than their previous natural habitat. The food wasn't the same so as the environtment sourounding them because of the Difference in fauna and flora . So they started developing different external morphological characteristics such as furs and extra layers of fat.

Theme 4 -Proposal for the conservation and sustainability of reptiles

angyfun — 2019-03-09 08:02:27 UTC

Here are some ideas for the conservation and sustainability of reptiles.
Ecological thinking. Avoid buying clothes , bags and materials that are made of real snake skin. Don't take tropical species at pets , 'cause this way, illegal hunting is encouraged.Take part in environmental conservation organization , learn and spread the history & evolution of reptiles. In this way , more and more people will appreciate the meaning of natural habitat, threat, conservation and sustainability .

Theme 1- Habitat photo No 1-Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park ,Evros Greece

angyfun — 2019-03-10 07:49:38 UTC

The Dadia Forest is the closest forest near Evros' area .where i live temporarily . The region is divided in two main geological zones: the northern zone, dominated by third degree ophiolite complexes that have undergone intense erosion and have formed a mild relief and the southern zone, where Paleogene volcanic and sedimentary rocks emerge, shaping a complex terrain with rocky outcrops.
The presence of reptiles and amphibiansat the National Park is very important as they constitute the basic food source for the birds of prey, the storks and the herons in the area. The number of amphibian species recorded is 13, ten of which are frogs, including the threatened Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), while the other 3 are two newt species and the known Salamander (Salamandra salamandra). Furthermore, 29 species of reptiles have been recorded and more specifically, four turtle species, eleven lizard species and fourteen snake species, of which only the two vipers may be dangerous to humans. Frogs are the favourite food of storks, while the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) prefers turtles and the Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) snakes.

Theme 3-Endemic speciesGR Amphibian ID card- Bombina bombina toad

angyfun — 2019-03-10 08:53:03 UTC

Species

Bombina bombina

Common name

Firebelly toad

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bombinatoridae
Genus: Bombina

Female sexual maturity

1,095 days

Male sexual maturity

1,095 days

Clutch size : 190 (oviparous)

It is possible to find a Bombina bombina toad in shallow , stagnant waters, at altitudes usually less than 250m. When it is aware of danger it dives immediatly into the water. Its diet is based on insects and larvae. Mating happens late in the spring and females give birth several times per season , approximately 300 eggs in total number. Female toads mate every 2 years. When a toad is captured , its body becames curved and its edges upwarded, showing its bright colours of its belly , in order to warn that it's going to secrete the toxic fluid through skin glands for diffence reasons. These substances are hurmfull for other predetors , but they are harmless for humans.It can be found to the Eastern part of Evros , from the Delta to the trennial , along the borders.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

ITIS 661625

NCBI Taxonomy

Taxonomy ID 8345

The Dadia Forest-Photo

angyfun — 2019-03-17 16:20:57 UTC

http://www.ert.gr/perifereiakoi-stathmoi/orestiada/pezoporia-sto-dasos-tis-dadias/

Theme 4- Comparison with Marley Gomez's HerpetoArea CO

angyfun — 2019-03-17 16:55:49 UTC

Marley's HerpetoArea is in Colombia, which is known for the tropical zones and the varietion of landscapes due to the temperature, the humidity , the rainfall etc. Colombia is rich in amphibians and reptiles .The climate of Greece ,though, is considered as Mediterranean. This means that it's distinguished by warm, wet winters under prevailing westerly winds and calm, hot, dry summers . As you can see in the photo bellow , zone C is the richest in ampibians and zone B is the richest in reptiles
https://www.wwf.gr/images/pdfs/amphibian.pdf

https://www.wwf.gr/images/pdfs/reptiles.pdf

Evros River & Evros Delta Map

angyfun — 2019-03-19 20:44:45 UTC

Amphibian's phylogenetic tree

angyfun — 2019-03-23 01:02:24 UTC

Theme 1- Habitat Evros Delta Wetland

angyfun — 2019-03-24 10:59:38 UTC

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-evros-delta-national-park-wetlands-wildlife-sanctuary-thrace-greece-image45527206

Theme 1

angyfun — 2019-03-26 06:47:24 UTC

Hellenolacerta graeca

http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=113&sid=103

Theme 1

angyfun — 2019-03-26 07:03:48 UTC

Pelophylax cretensis
http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=225

Theme 1-Habitat photo

angyfun — 2019-03-26 17:08:23 UTC

Toads inhabit in broad leaved and mixed forests consisting of different species of trees.Bombina bombina for example lives in areas covered with vegetation such as bushlands, floodlands, wetlands and forests; thats why it can be found in the Dadia forest .

Theme 1-Habitat photo

angyfun — 2019-03-26 17:28:18 UTC

Reptiles like Vivipera ammodytes can be found in areas of dunes, lakes and clearing forests , rocks and rocky areas as it has climbing and swimming skills . http://www.kulturosupa.gr/planitis-gh/oxia-fidi-4108/

Theme 1 - Amphibian fossil & phylogenetic tree

angyfun — 2019-03-26 18:01:49 UTC

Fossil amphibians where found in the district of Plakias(Crete,Greece ) .They are ranked in the early late Miocene epoch. In the Plakias area they were found fossils of six different taxa : an alytid anuran , a crocodilian , two turtles and two squamates

Fossil ID card :
Taxonomy
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum: Chordo
Class: Amphibia
Order : Anura
Family: Anytidae

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016699516300973
https://amphibiaweb.org/taxonomy/treeview.html
https://brill.com/view/journals/amre/35/1/article-p1_1.xml

Theme 2 - A Visit to HErpetarium-Reptile Aquarium in Edessa in Macedonia-Greece

angyfun — 2019-03-26 19:06:39 UTC

Last month i visited the nearest Reptile Aquarium in my Area. It is located in Edessa , Greece. Here is an interview (it is in Greek) and a video with the Aquarium. I also have a lot of photos from my visit, that i am going to post on the padlet.

http://edessanews.gr/2013/03/%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%B5%CF%88%CE%B7-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%85%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BF-%CE%B5%CF%81%CF%80%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF-%CE%B5%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%83/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brskXaRrhPU

Theme 2-Visit to Edessa Aquarium

angyfun — 2019-03-26 19:22:15 UTC

Aqua Turtle crowd.
Video by me

Theme 2 -Visit to Edessa Aquarium & Reptile Museum

angyfun — 2019-03-26 19:23:44 UTC

Photo by me

Theme 2 -Visit to Edessa Aquarium

angyfun — 2019-03-26 19:26:14 UTC

Photo by me. This Reptile was really enormous ! He is enjoying the warmth of the light.
Photo by me

Theme 2-Visit to Eddesa Aquarium

angyfun — 2019-03-26 19:31:48 UTC

Look at this sweet Gecko ! So cute !!! Pic by me :0

Hellenic herpetofauna

angyfun — 2019-03-30 21:22:10 UTC

http://www.herpetofauna.gr/

angyfun — 2019-03-30 21:24:32 UTC

http://webtv.ert.gr/shows/agria-ellada/

Vipera ammodytes distribution

angyfun — 2019-03-30 21:34:58 UTC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_ammodytes