Reptiles (Reptilia) of the Papuk Nature Park

Cilj istraživanja bio je načiniti sustavna faunistička i ekološka istraživanja te inventarizaciju i valorizaciju faune gmazova na području Parka prirode Papuk. Rezultati dobiveni ovim radom mogli bi doprinijeti daljnjem istraživanju cjelokupne faune gmazova Hrvatske. Sustavna istraživanja faune i biologije pojedinih vrsta gmazova (Reptilia) na području Parka prirode Papuk provedena su od veljače do kolovoza 2009. godine na petnaest istraživačkih postaja koje su ciljano obuhvatile različite tipove staništa na kojima gmazovi obitavaju. Metode prikupljanja gmazova podijeljene su dvojako prema vrstama gmazova koja obitavaju uz vodena staništa i prema terestričnim vrstama. Korištene su metoda tzv. sit and wait, vizualna metoda uzorkovanja, aktivno traženje i vizualna metoda uzorkovanja u pojasevima ili kvadratnim plohama. Prikupljeni podaci su uneseni u bazu podataka i uz pomoć GIS tehnologije načinjene su karte rasprostranjenosti pojedinih vrsta na istraživanom području. Istražena je sezonska i dnevna dinamika sa utvrđenim eudominatnim i recentnim vrstama.Research of fauna and biology of particular species of reptiles in the area of Nature park Papuk were done in the period from February 2009 to September 2009, in 15 locations. The transect method was used in data gathering on reptiles. The sampled units were measured for length or photographed, and during sampling the environmental parametres were measured. The collected data were entered in the database and with the help of GIS technology distribution maps of particular species on the examined area were made. The species Natrix natrix and Lacerta viridis had the largest quantitative structure. The eudominant species were established to be Natrix natrix, Lacerta viridis, Natrix tessellata and Lacerta vivipara, while the recent species are Vipera berus and Ablepharus kitaibelii. The numerousness of species in the researched area as well as their distribution are the result of various conditions in microhabitats, where species find the optimal conditions for survival. Furthermore, seasonal and daily dynamics were analysed. Daily activities, of species and of individuals, show a decrease of value from morning to afternoon, and as far as seasonal dynamics is concerned, the most intensive period of appearance of reptile is in the period from July to September