Maria's HerpetoArea GR by Maria's BioArea GR https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9 Maria Keroglidou en-us 2019-03-05 12:45:23 UTC 2019-03-21 23:19:16 UTC hello@padlet.com HerpetoArea: Epirus maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337871304 It is one of the largest regional units of Greece.
Regarding to its climate, Epirus has a borderline humid subtropical and Mediterranean climate, since only two summer months have less than 40 millimetres (1.6 in) of rainfall, preventing it from being classified as solely humid subtropical or Mediterranean, Summers are typically hot and moderately dry, while winters are wet and colder than on the coast with frequent frosts and occasional snowfall. It’s a land dominated by thick forests, jagged mountain peaks, wild rivers and treacherous ravines. Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, is also the wettest city in Greece which offers a suitable habitat for various amphibians. ]]> 2019-03-05 12:57:44 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337871304 Ioannina Lake maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337874307 Lake of Ioannina is the largest lake of Epirus, located in the central part of the Ioannina regional unit in northern Greece.
The lake is home of 9 out of the 17 amphibian species living in Greece. Two of them, Triturus macedonicus and Bombina variegata, are strictly protected by the European and Greek legislation.
The existence of a rich and healthy ecosystem has resulted in the existence of 24 species of reptiles, of which 5 are strictly protected. There are 3 species of turtles, the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), the Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), the marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) and two species of snakes, the Four-lined snake or “lafitis” (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the European ratsnake or leopard snake or “Spitofido” (Zamenis situla).

]]> 2019-03-05 13:07:19 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337874307 Dragon lake maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337876619 Dragon Lake is the name of several alpine or sub-alpine lakes in northwestern Greece Epirus region: the ones in mountain Tymfi and Smolikas are the most widely known. The first lake resides at an altitude of 2050m above sea level.
According to local folktales the lakes used to be inhabited by dragons who fought each other by throwing pines and rocks and thus created the peculiar landscape and gave their names to the lakes. The unique creature of the dragon lakes is the Alpine Newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris. The 10-12 centimeter long creature inhabits the lakes as the successor of the dynastic dragons that are believed to have created them.]]> 2019-03-05 13:13:06 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337876619 Smolikas Mountain maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337883723 At a height of 2,637 metres above sea level, it is the highest of the Pindus Mountains, and the second highest mountain in Greece.The mountain consists of ophiolite rocks and supports a wide variety of reptiles, such as the greek viper, Vipera graeca.

]]> 2019-03-05 13:29:08 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337883723 Triturus macedonicus maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337929106
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Amphibia
  • Order: Caudata
  • Family: Salamandridae
  • Genus: Triturus Rafinesque, 1815
  • Species: Triturus macedonicus (Karaman, 1922)

    • The Macedonian crested newt (Triturus macedonicus) is a newt species of the crested newt species complex in genus Triturus, found in the Western Balkan peninsula (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, north-western Greece and south-western Bulgaria).

    It was first described as a variety of Triturus karelinii, later considered a subspecies of Triturus carnifex, and was elevated to species rank following molecular phylogenetic analysis in 2007.
    ]]>     2019-03-05 14:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/337929106     Triturus macedonicus maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344023199 https://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/94261]]> 2019-03-21 22:11:18 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344023199 Pelophylax epeiroticus maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344025733 Pelophylax epeiroticus is an endemic species of the Ionian geographic zone. It occurs throughout Western Greece, including the island of Kerkyra, and in Southern Albania. The species lives in all the lower parts of the main water-bodies.  The species occurs from sea level up to 500 m.
    Total length up to 8.5cm. Has a wide variety of different patterns. A diurnal, shy frog that usually basks out of water. It feeds mainly on invertebrates. It mates in spring and females lay their eggs in the water in clusters of a few hundred.
    https://amphibiaweb.org/species/5027
    http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=226&sid=219
    ]]>     2019-03-21 22:24:36 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344025733     Bufo bufo maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344027601 The largest toad in Greece with a total length up to 19cm, rarely more. Females are bigger than males. Can be found in a variety of habitats, even at high altitudes or dry areas. Mainly nocturnal although it can also be seen by day, especially during the mating season. Feeds mainly on invertebrates. Mates very early in spring and large females can lay up to 8000 eggs. If caught, and becomes overly stressed, it secretes defensive toxins from the parotoid glands. Although effective in preventing most predators, those toxins are harmless to humans when contact is made with the skin.]]> 2019-03-21 22:35:14 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344027601 Bombina variegata maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344028473 Total length usually less than 5cm. Can be found in shallow waters such as ponds, small streams, cisterns, etc. and at altitudes up to 2000m. Mainly diurnal although it can often be found active by night. Quite shy toad which will submerge in water when feels threatened. Feeds mainly on insects and insect larvae. Females lay several times in season, 120-170 eggs in total. If caught it curves its body and limbs upwards showing its intense underneath colors as a warning, while covering its eyes at the same time. It can secrete toxins from the parotoid glands for defense. Although effective in preventing predators those toxins are harmless to humans when contact is made with the skin.]]> 2019-03-21 22:40:48 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344028473 Hyla arborea maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344028894 Total length up to 5cm, usually less. Females are bigger than males. Prefers humid areas with dense vegetation. Can be found from sea level up to high altitudes. Mainly nocturnal but it can also be found active by day sometimes. It mates early in spring and sometimes females lay more than 1500 eggs in total, in many clutches. Its skin secretions can be effective in preventing some predators but are harmless to humans. Nevertheless they can cause irritation when contact is made with the eyes.]]> 2019-03-21 22:43:45 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344028894 Testudo marginata maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344029037 The marginated tortoise is herbivorous, and hibernates for the winter. It is the largest European tortoise, reaching a weight of up to 5 kg.]]> 2019-03-21 22:44:39 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344029037 Algyroides nigropunctatus maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344029609 The natural habitats of A. nigropunctatus are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.
    The maximum total length (including tail) is 25 cm (9.8 in) which makes it significantly larger than any of the other Algyroides species.

    ]]>     2019-03-21 22:48:02 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344029609     Natrix tesselata maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344030790 Living mainly near river streams or lakes, it frequently feeds on fish. Sometimes it feeds also on amphibians like frogs, toads and tadpoles.
    Classified as non-venomous, Natrix tessellata produces a potent antihemorrhagin in its serum and has been said to produce a neurotoxin through a gland in its mouth. As a defense it spreads a very bad smelling secretion from its cloaca. Another defence mechanism is thanatosis, meaning playing dead.

    ]]>     2019-03-21 22:55:32 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344030790     Vipera ammodytes maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344032412 The only venomous species found in Epirus. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs (up to 13 mm) and high venom toxicity. The specific name, ammodytes, is derived from the Greek words ammos, meaning "sand", and dutes, meaning "burrower" or "diver", despite its preference for rocky habitats]]> 2019-03-21 23:06:44 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344032412 Paedomorphosis in maria23_61 https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344033707 Paedomorphosis, also spelled Pedomorphosis, retention by an organism of juvenile or even larval traits into later life. There are two aspects of paedomorphosis: acceleration of sexual maturation relative to the rest of development (progenesis) and retardation of bodily development with respect to the onset of reproductive activity ]]> 2019-03-21 23:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/maria23_61/iv8p9hoz1rd9/wish/344033707