BioArea by AntonisAnt

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 17:49:48 UTC

Yellowstone Wolves

Invasive Species

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 17:55:13 UTC

Lithobates catesbeianus
The American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus introduced to an area near Chania in 1994 and easy established. Its exists at Agia Lake from 2000 onwards. The idea of a businessman was to breed them for culinary purposes (frog legs), but business was not profitable. The result was releasing them in the lake and driving the local P. cretensis population to near extinction.

Endemic Species

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:01:25 UTC

Pelophylax cretensis

Endemic Species

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:06:33 UTC

Podarcis cretensis

Endemic Species

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:07:16 UTC

Acomys minous

Exploring Biodiversity

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:12:26 UTC

Barn owls preying on mice
Lizards (e.g. Podarcis sp.) preying on beetles (e.g. Tenebrionidae)

Parasitoid wasp Megarhyssa macrurus
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis known as the 'Zombie Ant" fungus

Podarcis cretensis in Shrubland, Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks)
Pelophylax cretensis in Wetlands (inland), Artificial/Terrestrial, Shrubland

Zamenis situla and Elaphe quatuorlineata share the same type of food (small verterbrates), but due to their difference in body size they avoid interspecific competition

Trophic Pyramid

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:34:10 UTC

Introducing Biodiversity Answers

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 18:41:39 UTC

There are many sites included in Natura 2000 (e.g. Mt. Juktas, Chryssi island, Elafonissos and many more)

The most famous mountains of Crete are Mt. Ida (Psiloritis) and Lefka Ori. There are no volcanoes in Crete.

Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 19:05:28 UTC

A dust storm in March 2018 had painted the sky above Heraklion city brown. This dust, originating from the Saharan desert, was a grim manifestation of the changing climate conditions. Moreover, extreme weather conditions such as floods have become more common in the last couple of years.

Uncontrolled livestock grazing as well as wildfires consist the main culprits of habitat degradation (Lyrintzis, G. (1996). Human impact trend in Crete: The case of Psilorites Mountain. Environmental Conservation, 23(2), 140-148. doi:10.1017/S0376892900038522)

As expected, the endemic species of Crete are threatened, according to IUCN Red List.

Unfortunately another common practice poses a great threat to animal biodiversity: Stock-farmers are using poisoned baits to protect their herds, but the victims are usually raptors and vultures.

Comparison

antonis_35 — 2019-02-10 19:54:51 UTC

Comparing my BioArea to Ismini's BioWorld GR
https://padlet.com/ismhnh_biology/yftzfc9u7qhk

My thought process was to focus solely on a relatively small area (Crete in contrast to the whole Greece) so I could gather more precise data and be able to assess the environmental and biodiversity factors with a narrower point of view. As such, I was able to present a better picture regarding the Herpetofauna of Crete. If Ismini wants to evaluate the Herpetofauna of Greece in general, she'll need to go through a lot more data and check their validity. However her results will be a lot more interesting

Endemic Species

antonis_35 — 2019-02-11 11:53:25 UTC

Crocidura zimmermanni
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5588/11369187

Neophren Percnopterus

antonis_35 — 2019-02-11 12:27:58 UTC

The population of egyptian vultures in Greece are declining. The impact of mankind is threatening these species and if no action is taken immediately, the remaining couples nesting in Greece will disappear. Fortunately, scientists are aware and are trying to prevent this.
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