The amphibian and reptile fauna of the Bodrogköz region in Hungary

Thaiszia - J. Bot., Košice, 19, Suppl. 1: 403-411, 2009 http://www.bz.upjs.sk/thaiszia T H A I S Z I A JOURNAL OF BOTANY The amphibian and reptile fauna of the Bodrogköz region in Hungary MIKLÓS PUKY 1 & PÉTER SCHÁD 2 1 Hungarian Danube Research Station of the Institute of Ecology and Botany of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2131 Göd, Jávorka S. u. 14., Hungary; h7949puk@ella.hu 2 Toad Action Group/IUCN SSC Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force, 1172 Budapest Laskó u. 3., Hungary; schad@freemail.hu Puky M. & Schád P. (2009): The amphibian and reptile fauna of the Bodrogköz region in Hungary. Thaiszia J. Bot. 19, Suppl. 1: 403-411. ISSN 1210-0420. Abstract: The Bodrogköz used to be an area in Hungary about which there was relatively limited herpetological knowledge. Due to intensive sampling in recent years, however, today more information is available on this region than on most other parts of Hungary. On the basis of approximately 500 records, a total of 15 amphibian and reptile species (Triturus dobrogicus Kiritzescu, Triturus vulgaris Linneaus, Bombina bombina Linneaus, Bufo bufo Linneaus, Bufo viridis Laurenti, Pelobates fuscus Laurenti, Hyla arborea Linneaus, Rana arvalis Nilsson, Rana esculenta c., Rana lessonae Camerano, Rana ridibunda Pallas, Emys orbicularis Linneaus, Lacerta agilis Linneaus, Zootoca vivipara Mayer & Bischoff, Natrix natrix Linneaus) have been found in the region so far but several concomitant species such as Natrix tessellata Laurenti are still expected to appear there. Several Bodrogköz amphibian and reptile species are listed in various international treaties e.g. T. dobrogicus, E. orbicularis; these also have given special protection, for example with habitat protection. In addition, R. arvalis, which reaches a 700-1,300 individuals/hectare abundance at the best sites, is of special importance. In terms of reptiles the most threatened Slovakian species, E. orbicularis, and the recently proved presence of low (100 individuals/hectare) density populations of Z. vivipara, which has great genetic diversity in the Carpathian Basin, are worth mentioning. The highest number of amphibian and reptile species (13) was detected in the EU65 10 km x 10 km UTM square. The great abundance of semi-aquatic 403

Introduction species indicates the importance of waters for the local herpetofauna. Additionally, remnant forest patches and riparian forest strips are extremely significant as summer habitats and winter refuges for the local herpetofauna. Keywords: Bodrogköz, Amphibia, Reptilia, distribution, Hungary. Amphibians and reptiles have gradually become more and more threatened in the last thirty years because of habitat disappearance and degradation, pollution, the introduction of alien pathogens, competitors and predators, global changes, collection and other factors. As such, the investigation into their presence, abundance and the long-term fluctuation of their population sizes produces information of great conservation interest. Hungarian herpetologists investigated the amphibian and reptilian fauna of different geographical areas, e.g. mountains, since the late 19th, early 20th century (see for example MÉHELY 1904). Some of these works are still used today in Hungary and neighbouring countries (for a recent example see POBOLJSAJ et al. 2008 who cited a MÉHELY article from 1921). The information they contain is becoming even more valuable in the light of recent declines in amphibian populations. This phenomenon has been observed worldwide and today approximately one third of all species are threatened (IUCN et al., 2004). It is also an important element of the decrease in biodiversity, which has a faster rate today than in any other period in the past 100,000 years (ELDRIDGE 1998). Amphibians often play an important role in different habitats and their communities; they are top predators in temporary water bodies or the upper region of mountain streams and are abundant prey with large biomass, while their larvae are abundant herbivores (BLAUSTEIN et al., 1994, 1996; LOMAN 2001; THIESMEIER 1991, 1994). A high percentage of reptiles, approximately 20%, are also threatened globally (GIBBONS et al. 2000) and what makes their effective protection even more difficult is that information is scarce about their distribution in Hungary (GASC et al., 1997). Most species are present in low abundance and the number and extent of Hungarian reptile studies are low, with the exception of those regarding Vipera ursinii rakosiensis. In addition, the processing of these data is also often inadequate though reptiles are also more threatened than birds or mammals (ABRAMOWITZ 1996). Although the Bodrogköz region includes highly valuable habitats, such as the floodplain areas along its borders, its herpetofauna was not intensively studied. All species belonging to this group are protected nationally, most of them internationally as well, so research should also be carried out for legal reasons as well as for those of conservation. This paper summarises data available for the Bodrogköz region till 2007. 404

Material and Methods The individual number or density of amphibian and reptile species was estimated by the combination of the most appropriate monitoring methods (visual encounter survey, road transect, sound monitoring, egg (clutch) count, torching). In the case of the green toad (B. viridis), for example, sound monitoring and road transects are the most effective methods, visual encounter surveys and torching are less fruitful (PUKY 2000). Sound monitoring, however, can only be used for a limited amount of time to detect the presence of this species. This species can also be found by egg string count or trapping but all the above listed methods bring better results in recognizing the presence of green toads. Sampling efficiency also depends on the habitat and the time of day. As such, a complex sampling strategy is worth applying in the case of all species present. The five most frequently used methods are described as follows. Visual encounter surveys are the most commonly used methods to detect amphibians and reptiles. Animals are counted as they move on land or in water, hide in crevices or found by turning over surface debris. The number of observers x total amount of time sampled is recorded. In terrestrial and aquatic situations, times may be set to 15 or 30 minutes, occasionally longer, depending on the number of observers and the amount or quality of habitat to be surveyed. Road transect surveys are carried out on roads to find live and dead animals for a fast detection of species. It can be carried out during the day or at night as well. Sound monitoring uses the phenomenon of amphibians that many species of male frogs call to establish breeding territories and attract females. Call surveys are easy to conduct, and a number of booklets with accompanying CD recordings or cassettes have been produced to assist in identification (for Hungary see ANTHONY & PUKY 2001). A number of amphibians deposit globular egg masses that are readily identified and can be counted. Besides providing information on breeding females, counting egg masses should also give an indication of reproduction during the sampling period. Several semi-aquatic amphibians are more active during the night than during the day. Torches can be held by hand or worn as a headset to enable the researcher to take notes. Both newts and anurans are easily identified with this method. Herpetological distribution data have been collected from the whole of the Bodrogköz using literature data (e.g. HEGYESSY 2006; PUKY et al. 2005) and new surveys. Data were grouped according to the UTM system based on 10 km x 10 km squares. Data were compared with the findings of the national herpetological atlas (PUKY et al. 2005). Results and discussion Approximately 500 records on fifteen taxa were processed from the Bodrogköz region. As Rana dalmatina Bonaparte records from the region are most probably the results of incorrect R. arvalis immaculata identifications, eleven amphibian taxa have been recorded in the Bodrogköz region so far (Tab. 1.). R. esculena complex was the commonest, H. arborea and B. bombina was 405

also common. L. agilis and N. natrix were the most frequently detected reptiles. Most taxa were found in several 10 km x 10 km UTM squares; their ratio varied according to the available habitats. Several Bodrogköz amphibian and reptile species are listed in various international treaties, e.g. T. dobrogicus and E. orbicularis, which are also given special protection, for example with habitat protection. Besides, in the light of recent results proving an unexpected pattern i.e. all populations scored for variation at allozyme loci clustered together forming a group distinct from populations north of the Carpathians (BABIK & RAFINSKI 2000), together with high morphological variability, suggest strongly that Rana arvalis populations from the Carpathian Basin harbour high mitochondrial and morphological diversity and that they should be a focus of international conservation efforts (BABIK et al. 2004). Further, new concomitant species are expected to be discovered in the Bodrogköz region such as N. tessellata, which has been proved to live in Zemplén mountain streams flowing into the River Bodrog. Coronella austriaca Laurenti, a cryptic species of snake, may be found in riparian forest strips along rivers as well as in dry forests as can Lacerta viridis Laurenti and - near the Zemplén Mountains - Rana temporaria Linneaus. From among the herpetofauna of the Bodrogköz region two reptiles are especially valuable. E. orbicularis was present at a low number of sites along the River Bodrog. The importance of the Hungarian populations is emphasised by the only reproducing Slovakian populations upstream along the river in the Tajba Nature Reserve, where active habitat management has been applied since 2000 (NOVOTNY et al. 2004). As such, E. orbicularis is the most threatened Slovakian reptile, the only member of this group in the Slovakian Red Data Book (KAUTMAN et al. 2001). The relationship between the Hungarian and Slovakian populations of the other rare reptile species, Z. vivipara, is the opposite to that of E. orbicularis. The recently discovered (HEGYESSY 2006) Bodrogköz populations are much nearer to large neighbouring Slovakian populations than to any other Hungarian ones, which are also strongly isolated from the Bodrogköz Region, e.g. by the River Tisza (Fig. 1.). This species is the most threatened lacertid lizard of Hungary, the pannonica subspecies is listed in the International Red Data Book. All Hungarian populations live in lowland areas mainly in relict glacial sites such as Bátorliget, the Hanság or the bogs in Szabolcs Szatmár Bereg county (DELY 1983; MARIÁN 1960). Populations with altogether four different genotypes were found in the country (PUKY et al., 2004) including a recently described one from a relict population from the middle of the Great Hungarian Plain (ODIERNA et al. 2004). Due to the patchy distribution of taxonomically diverse populations, further studies are needed to determine the nature conservation unit to which common lizards from the Bodrogköz region belong. Current herpetological knowledge on the distribution and abundance of species in the Bodrogköz region is over the national average, in contrast to the situation prior to 2005. The number of recorded amphibian species is only one species (Rana dalmatina) less than that of the Little Hungarian Plain, a similar lowland area surrounded by large running waters in the northwest of the country. 406

The amphibian fauna of the Great Hungarian Plain, which includes the Bodrogköz region, also has occasional records of mountain species (Bombina variegata, Rana temporaria), which may also be found in the Bodrogköz later. The reptile fauna of the Bodrogköz is similar to that of the Great Hungarian Plain. The EU65 10 km x 10 km UTM square covering Pácin, Szennatanya, Nagyrozvágy and Kisrozvágy is outstanding within the borders of the Bodrogköz region with thirteen species detected but twelve have also been found in the EU55 square. The importance of habitat diversity is well indicated by the presence of species. The high abundance of semi-aquatic species demonstrates the basic role of aquatic habitats, remnant forest patches and riparian forests in the development of the local herpetofauna which use them as breeding sites, summer habitats and winter refugia. The presence of a Z. vivipara population among forest patches makes the reptile fauna of the Mosonnai forest near the River Karcsa especially valuable. Its abundance reaches 100 individuals/hectare, which, although higher than in other Hungarian populations (PUKY et al. 2004), is still not too high in international terms (STRIJBOSCH & CREEMERS 1988). Due to the small size and vulnerable status of the Mosonnai forest habitat, active management is needed; some individuals already use sub-optimal habitats and degradation processes may cause a gradual change in the near future. The forest has other herpetological values, e.g. a large R. arvalis population, which reached a nearly 700 individuals/hectare abundance in 2007. In addition to areas along the River Karcsa, there are also valuable habitats for the local herpetofauna with good water - forest connection in other areas. Their protection should be a part of the active conservation management of the region. An important step in this process is the legal protection of the Bodrogzug together with related management regulations (The Bodrogzug is the unregulated floodplain at the confluence of the River Bodrog into the River Tisza in the western part of the area. This area is a significant natural asset for the whole Pannonian biogeographical region due to the unregulated river stretch and the annually flooded, large floodplain.). The Révleányvár woods in the opposite, eastern part of the Bodrogköz are also important, as is shown e.g. by the high abundance of R. arvalis. The same can be said of the former riverbed of the Tisza known as the Remete-zugi-Holt-Tisza. At the latter site the abundance of this amphibian reached 1,300 individuals per hectare after the dispersal of juveniles in autumn, 2000, when conditions were especially favourable for the reproduction of this species due to the extensive spring flood. As this example also demonstrates, nature conservation plans should also incorporate the protection and management of these waters that are often shallow and that have strong water level fluctuation, sometimes with unfavourable chemical conditions (SANDU et al. 2004), as these habitats are valuable for amphibians. This relationship means that the maintenance of these water bodies should be an integral part of the conservation management of the Bodrogköz as, besides the protection of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, stepping stones and corridors between them are also of the utmost importance. 407

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Tab. 1. Year of national protection, nature conservation value, international protection and global status of amphibian and reptile species in the Bodrogköz Region. 410 English name Latin name Year of protection in Hungary Amphibians Amphibia Tailed amphibians Caudata Nature conservation value (HUF) Bern Convention (1990) Habitat Directive (1992) International Red Data Book (1996) Global Amphibian Assessment (2004) Danubian Crested newt Triturus dobrogicus 2001 10 000 strictly protected II., IV. X XX Smoot newt Triturus vulgaris 1974 2 000 protected Anurans Anura Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina 1974 2 000 strictly protected II., IV. XX Common toad Bufo bufo 1974 2 000 protected Green toad Bufo viridis 1974 2 000 strictly protected IV. Common spadefoot Pelobates fuscus 1974 2 000 strictly protected IV. European treefrog Hyla arborea 1974 2 000 strictly protected IV. XX XX Moor frog Rana arvalis 1974 2 000 strictly protected IV. Pool frog Rana lessonae 1988 2 000 protected IV. Marsh frog Rana ridibunda 1974 2 000 protected V. Edible frog Rana esculenta 1974 2 000 protected V. Reptiles Reptilia European pond terrapin Emys orbicularis 1974 50 000 strictly protected II., IV. Sand lizard Lacerta agilis 1974 10 000 protected IV. Common lizard Zootoca vivipara 1974 50 000 protected Grass snake Natrix natrix 1974 10 000 protected II., IV., V. = listed in the given appendix of the Habitat Directive X = data deficient XX = near threatened

Fig. 1. Distribution of Zootoca vivipara in Hungary. - grey square: data available from the 50 km x 50 km UTM square - empty square: no data - solid circle: data available from the 10 km x 10 km UTM square 411