Nikolitsa Loukatou's HerpetoArea GR by Nikolitsa Loukatou https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod Themes 1,2 and 3 en-us 2019-02-28 16:18:33 UTC 2024-11-18 20:13:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Rafaelo.png Habitat-3 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/334419457 Lake Stymphalia is located in the north-eastern part of the Peloponnese, in Corinthia, southern Greece. It is a Wetlands area, a popular farming area. Usually this area around the lake is fairly dry underfoot. In certain weather conditions thousands of small green frogs hide in the damp grass from the aquatic snakes. These frogs are invisible in the grass until you almost step on them, at which they jump out of the way, usually landing on another frog which also jumps. The effect is of ripples of frogs travelling outwards with every step. The area is rich in birds, amphibians and plant life. Other wildlife, such as weasels, can also be seen.]]> 2019-02-23 10:34:14 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/334419457 Reptile fossil - ID card nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336451792 Species: Nostimochelone lampra
Collector: Georgalis
PaleoDB taxon number: 348492
Type specimen: NMP V1, a partial shell
Ecology: amphibious omnivore
Age range: 23.03 to 15.97 Ma
Distribution: found only at Nostimo (Miocene of Greece)

]]> 2019-02-28 15:36:10 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336451792 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336459499 2019-02-28 15:47:00 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336459499 Amphibian fossil - ID card nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336459956 Species: Rana dalmatina
Where: Vraona Cave, Attica, Greece (37.9° N, 24.0° E: paleocoordinates 37.9° N, 24.0° E)
When: Holocene (0.0 - 0.0 Ma)
Environment/lithology: cave; lithology not reported
Size classes: macrofossils, mesofossils
Primary reference: K. Rauscher. 1995. Die herpetofauna der Vraona-Hohle (Attika) in Griechenland. Annales Geologiques des Pays Helleniques 36:39-41 [E. Vlachos/E. Vlachos] 
PaleoDB collection 183130
]]> 2019-02-28 15:47:40 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336459956 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336477391 2019-02-28 16:13:37 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336477391 Step 1- access the problem nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336482403   There is strong evidence, provided by scientists who study climatic change, that during the last million years the Earth underwent several changes in global average temperature, with very cold periods (glacial periods) transforming into cooler intervals (interglacial periods). A second evidence is that in Europe, all three peninsulas, the Iberian (Spain and Portugal), the Italian and the Balkan one, have high numbers of endemic species (that is to say plant and animal species which live only there and nowhere else on the planet) whereas endemism in northern European areas is practically non-existent. 

I think these two phenomena are very connected. During the glacial periods the organisms moved to warmer ecosystems so that they can feed and protect from the glacial periods. There are evidence that these regions-called refugia-weren't located in these 3 peninsulas of south Europe but above them or towards Asia. 
When the glacial periods finished Europe were colonised again by these species. However many species, especially small mammals, in these 3 penisulas remained there and changed morphologically and genetically and became endemic species. 


]]> 2019-02-28 16:21:03 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336482403 Welcome to my HerpetoArea Theme 2 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336577029 2019-02-28 18:54:06 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336577029 Podarcis peloponnesiacus nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336578045 Podarcis peloponnesiacus is endemic to the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations and rural gardens.
The Peloponnese wall lizard grows to a snout-to-vent length of about 8.5 cm (3.3 in) with a tail about twice the length of the body. Males are in general rather larger than females. It is a robust species with adult males having particularly large heads. The colouring is rather variable, basically being some shade of olive- or greyish-brown with a pale vertebral stripe and more clearly defined dorso-lateral pale stripes. The mottled flanks often have one or more blue spots above the shoulder and the blue colour may extend along the flanks in males. The underparts are red, orange or white and unspotted. Juveniles often have blue tails. It is an agile species and climbs on rocks, walls and tree trunks. It often perches in an elevated position and can make long jumps between rocks. It often forages on the ground. The males are territorial during the breeding season and are very aggressive at this time. Females usually lay two clutches of up to six eggs, in crevices or concealed places, and the eggs take about six weeks to hatch, the newly hatched juveniles being about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long.]]> 2019-02-28 18:55:36 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336578045 Anguis cephalonnica nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336583221 The Peloponnese slowworm (Anguis cephalonnica) is a species of lizard in the family Anguidae. It is endemic to Greece. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, pastureland, planatations and rural gardens.]]> 2019-02-28 19:03:15 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336583221 Algyroides moreoticus nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336587945 A. moreoticus is endemic to Greece.  It is generally found in shaded to semi-shaded areas of open woodland, hedges and on the edges of cultivated land. It is generally associated with damp areas. It hides in ground cover such as brushwood and leaf litter. The females have only a few eggs in each clutch.  It may be threatened in parts of its range by habitat loss resulting from fires, general deforestation, agricultural intensification and the development of tourism facilities. It is also locally persecuted in some places. ]]> 2019-02-28 19:10:37 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336587945 Hellenolacerta graeca nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336590700 The Greek rock lizard (Hellenolacerta graeca) is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It's endemic to Greece and its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, and pastureland. It is threatened by habitat loss.The Greek rock lizard is a medium-sized species growing to a snout-to-vent length of about 8 cm (3 in) with a tail at least twice as long as this. The body is somewhat flattened and the legs are relatively long and slender. The colour is usually a glossy greyish-brown but may be more yellowish-brown, sometimes with a faint reddish tinge. Males have irregular dark spots on the back and dark flanks with many small pale spots. Females have smaller heads, fewer dark spots on the back and the pale spots on the flanks are more diffuse. Sometimes there are one or two blue spots above the shoulder; in males, these may extend a short way along the flanks. The underparts are yellow or orange and are usually speckled with fine dark markings, especially on the throat.The Greek rock lizard is endemic to southern Greece where it is found only in the Peloponnese region, at altitudes of up to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level but usually within the range 300 to 700 metres (980 to 2,300 ft). It is typically found near streams and pools, in light woodland, at the edge of fields bordering woodland and in shady areas of rock. ]]> 2019-02-28 19:15:02 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336590700 Macrovipera schweizeri nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336595250 Macrovipera schweizeri is a venomous viper species found in Greece on the islands of the Cyclades Archipelago in the Aegean sea (Milos and the three smaller, adjacent islands of Siphnos, Kimolos and Poliaigos). No subspecies are currently recognized.
This species, M. schweizeri, is classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii,v) (v3.1, 2001). This indicates that the extent of its occurrence within its geographic range is estimated to be less than 5,000 km² (1,930 sq mi), that its populations are severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations. Furthermore, a continuing decline is observed, inferred or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat, as well as the number of mature individuals.[7]
There is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, and it is experiencing a decline in the number of mature individuals due to persecution and over-collecting]]> 2019-02-28 19:22:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336595250 Pelophylax cerigensis nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336601079 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).
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 cerigensisdo 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).]]> 2019-02-28 19:32:12 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336601079 Pelophylax cretensis nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336603387 The Cretan frog (Pelophylax cretensis) is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is endemic to Greece.
A medium-sized frog reaching up to 6.5 cm in lenght. The Cretan frog is generally light grey to brown and mottled with brown or olive-grey spots on its back, while the throat and underside of the body are whitish-grey. Occasionally, the upperparts of the Cretan frog may be grass-green with distinct brown spots. The insides of the hind legs are yellow, and the sides of the body may also have yellowish colouration. This species has a prominent dark brown fold of skin down the back.
Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.
]]> 2019-02-28 19:36:19 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336603387 Lyciasalamandra helverseni nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336606272 Lyciasalamandra helverseni is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae found only in Greece. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and rocky areas.]]> 2019-02-28 19:40:54 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336606272 Habitat-1 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336816817 The Vouraikos canyon is located in Achaia, 13 km northeast of Kalavrita. Along with the Helmos mountain range, it is a single protected area that has been designated as a National Park since 2009. The canyon has a length of 20 km and runs through the Vouraikos River, to which it owes its name. Memorable is the fauna of the area that finds shelter in the steep wooded mountains around the canyon.
Biotope image: Forest with plane trees, forming a sub-floor of dried  leaves and river crossing the area.]]> 2019-03-01 12:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336816817 Habitat-2 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817336 The headwaters of Ladonas river  are located in the area of the village Lycuria, where it flows with so much force that it could move at the same time 20 mills. There is land, next to the river, bounded by fencing and dense vegetation that contained a cement-built structure. The area is rich of reptiles.]]> 2019-03-01 13:00:21 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817336 Welcome to my HerpetoArea Theme 1 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817507 2019-03-01 13:01:03 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817507 Habitat-1 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817994 Testudo hermanni
Hermann's tortoises are small to medium-sized tortoises from southern Europe. Young animals and some adults have attractive black and yellow-patterned carapaces, although the brightness may fade with age to a less distinct gray, straw, or yellow coloration. They have slightly hooked upper jaws and, like other tortoises, possess no teeth, just strong, horny beaks.Their scaly limbs are greyish to brown, with some yellow markings, and their tails bear a spur (a horny spike) at the tip. Adult males have particularly long and thick tails, and well-developed spurs, distinguishing them from females.]]> 2019-03-01 13:02:56 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336817994 Habitat-2 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336818024 Hierophis gemonensis
The Balkan whip snake is a slender snake with smooth scales usually under a metre (yard) long but exceptionally reaching 130 cm (50 ins). The head is fairly distinct from the body and has prominent eyes with round pupils. The head and front of the body are olive-grey or yellowish-brown with dark spots separated by paler areas which may form irregular bars. There are often small white specks on some of the scales. Further back the dark spots are usually arranged in longitudinal lines giving a striped effect. The underparts are whitish or pale yellow, with some spotting on the sides of the neck and sometimes elsewhere. There are usually 19 dorsal scales around the mid-body, 160 to 187 belly scales and 80 to 116 pairs of under-tail scales. Its typical habitat is stony areas, scree, scrub, open.
The Balkan whip snake is a diurnal, ground-dwelling species though it does sometimes clamber through low vegetation. It is fast and agile and feeds on lizards, large insects such as grasshoppers, nestling birds and small mammals.

]]> 2019-03-01 13:03:05 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336818024 Habitat-3 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336818099 Natrix natrix
The grass snake is typically dark green or brown in colour with a characteristic yellow collar behind the head, which explains the alternative name ringed snake. The colour may also range from grey to black, with darker colours being more prevalent in colder regions, presumably owing to the thermal benefits of being dark in colour. The underside is whitish with irregular blocks of black, which are useful in recognizing individuals.Weight is about 240 g. 
Grass snakes prey mainly on amphibians, although they may also occasionally eat ants and larvae. Captive snakes have been observed taking earthworms offered by hand, but dead prey items are never taken. The snake will search actively for prey, often on the edges of water, using sight and sense of smell (using Javobson's organ). They consume prey live without using constriction.
Grass snakes are strong swimmers and may be found close to fresh water, although there is evidence individual snakes often do not need bodies of water throughout the entire season.]]> 2019-03-01 13:03:15 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336818099 Welcome to my HerpetoArea Theme 3 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336842512 2019-03-01 14:07:57 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336842512 Profile of a reptile nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336848294 Xerotyphlops vermicularis- Eurasian Blind Snake
It's a species of snake  in the genus Xerotyphlops.
Population: It is generally a common species. It is common in Central Asia. In Egypt it is a rare, localized and declining species. In Macedonia the species has a very patchy distribution.
Habitat and Ecology: This fossorial species is associated with moist, sparsely vegetated, open areas. It is often found in grassy fields and slopes. It is found under rocks and occupying burrows made by worms. It can also be found in termite mounds and ant nests. Animals are generally only found during the springtime. The females lay between four and eight eggs in a clutch. This species shows an aggregation behaviour for either mating or moisture conservation. It is found in traditional agricultural areas, among ruins and even in urban areas. Pairing occurs from the spring to the beginning of summer.The female lays 2 to 10 eggs (2-6 in July/August within the range covered by Ananjeva et al. 1998) in underground passages in second part of summer.
Threats: There are no major threats to this species over most of the Mediterranean region. In Albania and Egypt it is threatened by habitat loss through intensive agriculture and land reclamation. Subpopulations of
this species in the Caucasus may be threatened by the conversion of habitat to intensive agricultural
use.

]]> 2019-03-01 14:20:28 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336848294 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336851741 2019-03-01 14:28:26 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/336851741 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337569824 Distribution map]]> 2019-03-04 17:26:39 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337569824 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337571732 2019-03-04 17:30:52 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337571732 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337572096 2019-03-04 17:31:35 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337572096 Profile of an amphibian nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337572686 Pelophylax cerigensis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Range distribution: This species is known only from Karpathos Island, Greece. It is currently only known with certainty from
a single river, near Olimbos in the mountains on the north side of the island, and it does not appear to
range more widely.
Habitat and ecology: It is a mostly aquatic species, largely restricted to permanent still or slow-running waters and apparently sensitive to habitat change. Breeding and larval development presumably take place in these waterbodies.
Threats: The major threat is habitat loss and degradation of suitable aquatic habitats. Although the site from which the species is known is fairly remote, freshwater habitats are subject to a number of threats such
as excessive water abstraction and climate change. Fires are an additional potential threat, and the species may be vulnerable to climate change.

]]> 2019-03-04 17:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337572686 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337574525 Distribution map]]> 2019-03-04 17:36:12 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337574525 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337579861 2019-03-04 17:46:27 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/337579861 Endemic species nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341306231 2019-03-14 13:16:12 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341306231 Comparison-Theme 2 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341306747 As I saw, most of my co-learners had made a great job. Many regions, especially the Mediterranean ones, are very rich to endemic reptiles and amphibians. However there are non- Mediterranean, such as in Marlet Gomez's Herpetoarea, which is Colombia, where there are 115 endemic reptiles]]> 2019-03-14 13:17:05 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341306747 Comparison-Theme 3 nikolitsa_1210 https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341318275 As i saw, there are a lot of strange and beautiful animals in other regions. I really impressed of Great Crested Newt in Ruth's Herpetoarea and the fact that the female wraps the eggs with the leaves using her feet.]]> 2019-03-14 13:37:37 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolitsa_1210/h4h4uff8obod/wish/341318275