'Konstantina's HerpetoArea GR' by https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r Konstantina Lentza en-us 2019-03-26 15:53:07 UTC 2025-11-21 10:31:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Optimplaces.png Habitat of Crete - Lake Agia konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345354381 The artificial lake of Agia is located 9 km from Chania and receives the White Mountains water through many underground springs.
Hosts the largest variety of aquatic plants in Crete, but also very important species of fauna such as rare species of frogs. Also, many migratory birds find shelter there. Nowadays, there are problems in the area like the irrigation and the introduction of the American bullfrogs,  wiping out the endemic frog of Crete, Pelophylax cretensis. ]]> 2019-03-26 16:39:41 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345354381 Shrubland habitat in Crete konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345363540 Podarcis cretensis, endemic species, occupies shrubland, rocky areas and dry river beds.]]> 2019-03-26 16:57:29 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345363540 Urban habitat in Crete konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345370390  
The Turkish gecko (scient. Hemidactylus turcicus) or Mediteranean house gecko is one of the most common reptiles in Crete, which is closely related to the Moorish gecko. Indeed, many people tend to confuse the two species that have similar characteristics but do not belong in the same species.


The house gecko has darker colors (in day) than Moorish gecko and reaches a total length of 10cm. At night the color its body colors turn to semi-translucent. Like Moorish gecko, it feeds on small arthropods and usually lurks on insects attracted to lights. 

]]> 2019-03-26 17:10:45 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345370390 Fossil amphibians and reptiles from Plakias, Crete: A glimpse into the earliest late Miocene herpetofaunas of southeastern Europe konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345531128 Fossil amphibians and reptiles from the earliest late Miocene (early Tortonian, MN 9) of Plakias (Crete, Greece) are described in this paper. ]]> 2019-03-27 02:57:03 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345531128 Τhe possible effects of climate change on organisms-Theme 2 konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345532452 The effect of climate change on organisms in Europe is a combination of all the previous first 4 options (1-4) but it is mainly driven by the second one.]]> 2019-03-27 03:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/345532452 Feeding behavior of the dice snake (Natrix tessellata) konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346272245 Using measurable behavioral components and corporal characteristics we recorded and analyzed the
feeding behavior of the piscivorous dice snake (Natrix tessellata).The analyzed parameters were: searching time,
searching speed, attack speed, prey handling time, ingestion time, body condition index (BCI) and fish body size
parameters. The correlation between these parameters and their effect on successful prey capture and consumption
was also examined. Searching time and searching speed was not affected by the other parameters of the snakes or
fish, however in case of repeated attacks the searching speed strongly correlated with the BCI. Attack speed was also
strongly influenced by the BCI. The successful outcome of an attack depends on the searching speed: a high
searching speed reduces the possibility of successful prey capture. Prey handling time is higher when fish is caught
by trunk and ingested either from head or from tail, in comparison with grasping on fish head or tail and starting
ingestion from the grasped body part. In two cases the fish caught by tail was ingested from head and in one case
caught by head and ingested from tail. In these exceptional cases the prey handling time also became high. The
ingestion time is independent of BCI but it is strongly affected by the weight and size of fish and also by the
direction of ingestion.]]> 2019-03-28 17:49:06 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346272245 Hypernatremia in Dice Snakes (Natrix tessellata) from a Coastal Population: Implications for Osmoregulation in Marine Snake Prototypes konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346274682 The widespread relationship between salt excreting structures (e.g., salt glands) and marine life strongly suggests that the ability to regulate salt balance has been crucial during the transition to marine life in tetrapods. Elevated natremia (plasma sodium) recorded in several marine snakes species suggests that the development of a tolerance toward hypernatremia, in addition to salt gland development, has been a critical feature in the evolution of marine snakes. However, data from intermediate stage (species lacking salt glands but occasionally using salty environments) are lacking to draw a comprehensive picture of the evolution of an euryhaline physiology in these organisms. In this study, we assessed natremia of free-ranging Dice snakes (Natrix tessellata, a predominantly fresh water natricine lacking salt glands) from a coastal population in Bulgaria. Our results show that coastal N. tessellata can display hypernatremia (up to 195.5 mmol.l−1) without any apparent effect on several physiological and behavioural traits (e.g., hematocrit, body condition, foraging). More generally, a review of natremia in species situated along a continuum of habitat use between fresh- and seawater shows that snake species display a concomitant tolerance toward hypernatremia, even in species lacking salt glands. Collectively, these data suggest that a physiological tolerance toward hypernatremia has been critical during the evolution of an euryhaline physiology, and may well have preceded the evolution of salt glands.

]]> 2019-03-28 17:53:37 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346274682 Hyla arborea thermal ecology konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346275557 The results suggest control of body temperature in Hyla arborea by microhabitat selection, with shaded areas selected to avoid potentially critical high temperatures during sunny weather. However, occasional basking in open locations, even during hot weather suggests an attempt to elevate body temperature.]]> 2019-03-28 17:55:15 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346275557 Physiological Color Change in the Green Treefrog: Responses to Background Brightness and Temperature konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346276806 We found that (1) males
are generally darker than females but the sexes exhibit similar color change
responses, (2) treefrogs become lighter on brighter backgrounds, (3) treefrogs
become lighter at higher temperatures, and (4) there is a background-by-temperature interaction such that color change responses to one variable depend on
the level of the other. Our results suggest that color change may function both
in predator avoidance and in thermoregulation or water balance. However, further investigations of color change responses to differently hued backgrounds,
of the magnitude and biological significance of color-induced changes in body
temperature and rates of evaporative water loss, and of color change in freeranging animals are needed]]> 2019-03-28 17:56:52 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346276806 Traffic noise affects communication behaviour in a breeding anuran, Hyla arborea konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346278500 Modern human societies generate new patterns of noise that may affect acoustic communication in many animal species. Whilst animals have evolved several mechanisms to cope with natural background noise, the rapid increase of anthropogenic alteration of acoustic environment could challenge the potential for adjustments of communicative systems. Because acoustic communication is involved in crucial behaviours, noise pollution can be particularly detrimental in affecting breeding success or survival. I investigated the impact of traffic noise on acoustic communication in a tree frog by way of an experimental approach using noise playback. Traffic noise triggered a decrease of the males’ calling activity, with males being more affected when noise amplitude increased. Additionally, the males’ social situation (calling in chorus versus alone) exerted a strong influence on sensitiveness to noise. Males were only weakly affected by noise pollution when calling in a chorus situation, probably because they were more stimulated and because traffic noise emergence was lower. Moreover results showed that in response to noise playback, males are not able to adjust their temporal or frequency call structures to increase efficiency of the information transfer. Understanding species’ ability to adapt their communicative systems to cope with human-made noise constitutes an important contribution to wildlife conservation.]]> 2019-03-28 18:00:04 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346278500 Are reptiles beneficial to human? konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346284840 http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=narticle&page=read&id=24]]> 2019-03-28 18:13:19 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346284840 The Amphibian Extinction Crisis - what will it take to put the action into the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan? konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346286023 The current mass extinction episode is most apparent in the amphibians. With approximately 7,000 species, amphibians are dependent on clean fresh water and damp habitats and are considered vulnerable to habitat loss (deforestation), changes in water or soil quality and the potential impacts of climate change, and in addition many species are suffering from an epidemic caused by a chytrid fungus. Because of their sensitivity and general dependence on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats they are often regarded as indicators of the health of the environment.]]> 2019-03-28 18:15:30 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346286023 Frog Legs: don't eat them! konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346286579 Europeans alone consumed roughly 120 million frogs per year in the 1990's. The harvesting of amphibians for the food trade is often unregulated, and in many underdeveloped countries, such as Thailand, is likely a primary contributor to amphibian declines. Even in countries where the import/export of endangered species is controlled, there are virtually no protocols in place to ensure that diseased amphibians do not get transported. Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) are commonly farmed and transported worldwide. They are known carriers of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and thus are likely to be primary contributors to the global spread of chytridiomycosis, a disease that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide. In a recent study, 62% of the captive-raised bullfrogs sampled in shops in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco were infected with the chytrid fungus! These three cities alone import over five million amphibians each year. Bullfrogs are also quite adept at establishing populations in areas to which they are introduced. They are large and compete with native amphibians for food and shelter, making them a harmful invasive species when they are outside their natural range (the eastern United States). Read more about over-harvesting here.]]> 2019-03-28 18:16:52 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346286579 Threats to Frogs konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346287843 Habitat Destruction | Pollution & Pesticides | Climate Change | Invasive Species  | Over-Harvesting | Infectious Diseases

https://www.savethefrogs.com/d/threats/index.html]]> 2019-03-28 18:19:35 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346287843 THE LEOPARD SNAKE – Zamenis situla konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346398262 Like all Cretan snakes, the leopard snake rarely gets much above one metre in length and is generally found in sunny areas with some cover, such as a dry-stone wall. Houses also provide the kind of shelter they require, obviously lending to their northern Greek name. They do not, however, object to a swim and I have found them several times in the pools of Aposolemi between Analipsis and Gouves. Should you come across one, it may well rattle its tail in an attempt to scare you off and it is capable of striking and delivering a nip to the fingers of those who try to pick it up. Although the leopard snake does eat birds and small lizards, its diet consists mainly of rodents and their young – a natural control which is important and far preferable, to my mind, to laying out poison!]]> 2019-03-29 02:21:15 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346398262 Herpetological trip to Crete konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346616623 https://www.hylawerkgroep.be/jeroen/index.php?id=49]]> 2019-03-29 16:09:40 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346616623 The Historical Speciation of Mauremys Sensu Lato konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346794549 Inconsistent results between gene flow assessment and phylogenetic analysis revealed the hybrid origin of M. mutica (Southeast Asian). Here ancestral area reconstruction and interspecific gene flow level assessment were first used to explore species origins and evolution of Mauremys sensu lato, which provided new insights on this genus.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0144711]]> 2019-03-30 16:39:08 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346794549 Cretan Water Frog (scient. Pelophylax cretensis or Rana cretensis konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346796949 Is one of the three endemic species of amphibians of Greece, which is found only on the island of Crete. 

Unfortunately, in recent years its population has declined dramatically. One of the most serious threats is the introduction of the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Some years ago, someone freed bullfrogs in Agia Lake, resulting in the extinction of the local endemic frog.]]> 2019-03-30 16:59:45 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346796949 Comparison of HerpetoAreas konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346798189  There are threats in both HerpetoAreas, with some differentiations, but wildlife faces dangers, even extinction, in both cases.
https://padlet.com/antonis_35/lgju3uso4t2k

]]> 2019-03-30 17:10:32 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346798189 Comparison of HerpetoAreas konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346800980 The similarity of our padlets lies in the fact that we are in the same country, Greece, but we have focused on different regions, Attica and Crete. We share similar habitas, like mountains and lakes, but there are no endemic species in Attica, in contrary to Crete.
https://padlet.com/antonis_35/lgju3uso4t2k]]> 2019-03-30 17:38:52 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346800980 Comparison of HerpetoAreas konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346803326 The two HerpetoAreas are Attica and Crete, in the country of Greece. We chose some common species to study, like the snake Zamenis situla and that indicates that there are similar physiological and ecological characteristics among species. However, there might be some ecological differences as well, depending on the different habitats presented in each area. Additionaly, different species among reptiles and amphibians might share common physiological traits, but they can also respond in a different way in a similar environment.
https://padlet.com/antonis_35/lgju3uso4t2k]]> 2019-03-30 17:57:05 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346803326 Εcological risk assessment constitutes a technological advance as well as a contribution to ecotoxicology practical goals - Business plan konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346808378
-General methods to biomonitor (use of organisms to monitor contaminants and to imply possible effects to biota or sources of toxicants to humans and apply biomarkers (cellular, tissue, body fluid, physiological or biochemical changes in individuals that are used quantitatively during biomonitoring to imply presence of significant pollutants or as early warning systems for imminent effects)
- Chromosome aberration assay:  structural aberrations such as fragments or intercalations and numerical aberrations 
- Micronucleus assay :  Amphibian micronucleus procedure has been standardized. 
- A real-time flow-through system, which measures in situ contaminantinduced fluorescence in transgenic amphibians larvae immersed in water sample. The amplification of DNA by the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique enabled the detection of mutations at specific sites and the development of electrochemical DNAbased biosensors. ]]> 2019-03-30 18:46:06 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346808378 New review of medicinal compounds in toad secretions compiled konstantina_len https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346811053 Skin and glandular secretions from the cane toad, Rhinella marinus, have long been used by practitioners of traditional medicine to cure a wide range of ills. Researchers have now compiled a list of all of the chemicals known from the amphibian family Bufonidae, of which it is one of the most common members.
Credit: Brian Gratwicke

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170127113042.htm]]> 2019-03-30 19:18:18 UTC https://padlet.com/konstantina_len/gt4vrzw17i7r/wish/346811053