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Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 18 No.1

Rasprostranjenost vodozemaca i gmazova u Parku prirode »Lastovsko otočje«: mogući biotički i abiotički uzroci

Authors: Bart Vervust, Irena Grbac, Jonathan Brecko, Nikola Tvrtković, Raoul Van Damme

Authors and affiliation

  • Bart Vervust Laboratory for Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
  • Irena Grbac Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Jonathan Brecko Laboratory for Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
  • Nikola Tvrtković Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Raoul Van Damme Laboratory for Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium

Abstract

In this paper we examine the distribution of amphibians and reptiles over the islands of the newly founded Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park (Lastovsko oto~je), Croatia. On several field trips between 1996 and 2008, we encountered five species of lizards (Podarcis sicula, P. melisellensis, Dalmatolacerta oxycephala, Hemidactylus turcicus and Pseudopus apodus), one species of snake (Dolichophis caspius), one species of sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and one species of toad (Bufo viridis). We confirm literature data on the presence of some of these species on different islands of the archipelago, and add distributional records for several other islands and islets. Logistic regression analyses show that the variables predicting presence/absence from different islands vary among species. Within species, populations from different islands noticeably vary in body size and shape, scalation, dorsal and ventral coloration, behaviour and density. This observation adds to the value of the study area as a »natural laboratory« for future research into the ecology and evolution of island populations. Although most species seem to be doing well presently, we list a number of possible hazards and concerns.

Keywords

distributional records, species occurrence, degree of isolation, Croatia, Adriatic, island biogeography * Address for correspondence: Irena.Grbac@hpm.hr Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, Zagreb, Croatia M:NATURAnatura_1-09vervust-grbac-brecko.vp 30. lipanj 2009 12:21:45 Color profile: Disabled Composite Default screen 114

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