Herpetologica Romanica Vol. 1, 2007, pp.

53-61

Preliminary aspects concerning the herpetofauna

from urban and peri-urban environments
from North-Eastern Romania:
a case study in the city of Suceava

Alexandru STRUGARIU¹*, Iulian GHERGHEL2,

Mihail-Victor HUŢULEAC-VOLOSCIUC¹, Cristina Maria PUŞCAŞU³

¹ “Al. I. Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Carol I Blvd., Nr. 20A, 700506, Iasi, Romania.
² “Piatra Neamt” Technical College, Stefan cel Mare Str. Nr. 67 / 104, Piatra Neamt, Romania.
³ “Gr. T. Popa” University, Faculty of General Medicine, Universitatii Str. Nr 16, 700114, Iasi, Romania.
*Corresponding author: Al. Strugariu – e.mail: alex.strugariu@gmail.com, phone no: (004) 0740 311 275

Abstract. Due to the scarce available data about urban populations of amphibians and reptiles in Romania, the
authors of the present paper aimed to investigate the composition and distribution of the herpetofauna from the
urban and peri-urban environments from a city from North-Eastern Romania (the city of Suceava), establish
which human activities pose the most serious threat for the herpetofauna, which species are the most
vulnerable to human caused ecological stress and which species are the most adaptable when faced with
urbanization. 11 species of amphibians (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina,
Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidelea viridis, Pelophylax lessonae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and
Rana temporaria) and 5 reptile (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis, Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix)
species have been recorded in the research area, as well as Pelophylax kl. esculentus and Bombina bombina X
Bombina variegata. The most important herpetofaunal areas are two peri-urban environments, one of which is a
man-made environment. The species that seem to be the most capable to adapt and survive in urban conditions
are Pseudopidelea viridis and the species from the Pelophylax esculentus complex, although all species of
amphibians and reptiles are threatened in many ways by urbanization.

Key words: urban and peri-urban environments, urbanization, anthropogenic impact, Suceava, amphibians,
reptiles.

Introduction

Until now, very few studies have been conducted on the composition and ecology of amphibian and
reptile species from the urban environments of Romania. Data regarding species records in different towns
and cities from Romania can be found in numerous herpetofaunistical papers published during recent years
(e.g. Ghira et al. 2002, Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2000, 2002, 2003 a, b, c, 2004, 2005a, 2006 a, b, c, Gherghel & Ile
2006, Strugariu et al. 2006 a, b and “in press”). Other studies have focused upon feeding biology and
ecology of different species of amphibians from urban environments (e.g. Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2005b,
Nicoara et al. 2005 a, b, Sas et al 2005). So far, the only detailed information regarding composition and
different ecological aspects of amphibian species from urban environments have been published by Nicoara
& Szekely (2004) and viewed the situation of the Ciric river basin, situated at the outskirts of the city of Iasi
(Romania). In this publication (Nicioara & Szekely 2004), the authors pointed out the most important human
activities that threaten the local amphibian fauna. Similar data in regards to reptiles has not been written in
Romania.
Habitat loss or deterioration and landscape fragmentation are the leading cause for local population
extinctions (Pellet et al 2004). These phenomena are especially present in or near urban areas, where their
expansion is directly proportional with economical development (Van Rooy & Stumpel 1995).
Taking the above stated into consideration, the authors of the present paper aimed to:
i.) investigate the composition and distribution of the herpetofauna in the urban and peri-urban,
natural and man-made environments from the city of Suceava.
ii.) establish which human activities pose the most serious risk for the herpetofauna.
iii.) establish which amphibian and/or reptile species are the most threatened by anthropogenic
impact and which are the most adaptable in regards to changes in their environment caused by urbanization.
iv.) establish which type of environments are the most important refuges for the herpetofauna.
Herpetol. Rom, 1,
2007, Romania
54 Al. Strugariu et al

Matherial and methods

Study Area

The study area is represented by the city of Suceava. It is situated in the north-eastern sector of Romania, on the
Suceava Plateau, a subunit of the Moldavian Plateau. From a hydrographical point of view, it is situated in the Siret river basin.
Only one major river flows trough the area, the Suceava river. From an administrative point of view, it belongs to Suceava
County. The minimum altitude in the area is 270 m. a.s.l. in the Suceava river meadow and the maximum altitude is 435 m. a.s.l.
at the Tarinca hill. The geographic coordinates of the area are 47º39’15” N and 26º16’06” E.
The city its self comprises of 6 major districts: the city center, George Enescu, Zamca, Obcini, Burdujeni and Itcani. The
city center has been populated by humans for more than a millennium. The Burdujeni and Itcani districts were originally
separate villages but became part of the Suceava city during the 1960’s. Due to the economical and industrial development that
took place in the mid communistic era, the city expanded trough urbanization. In the 1970’s, the George Enescu and the Zamca
districts were built and during the 1980’s, the Obcini district appeared. During the same periods, the older Burdujeni and Itcani
districts grew, most of the houses being replaced by apartment blocks.
For the present study, we have divided the research area (fig.1), all of the areas mentioned above and 3 peri-urban
environments, into 7 distinct sites, as follows:

Figure 1. The investigated urban and peri-urban environments

from Suceava City.

Site 1. is a peri-urban, natural environment that borders the George Enescu and Zamca districts. It is composed of a
mixed forest (mostly coniferous) situated on a N-W facing sloap. Inside the forest and at the forest’s edge there are several
temporary and permanent small-sized ponds. Also, the Şcheia stream flows at the edge of this forest.
Site 2. is represented by the “Şipote Dendrological Park”. It is a man-made, peri-urban environment, in which
numerous native and exotic tree species can be found. The Şipote stream flows trough the area.
Site 3. is the Suceava river and the Suceava river meadow, the only natural urban environment from the research area.
Site 4. is comprised of the I.C.A.R. ponds, an artificial, peri-urban lake system. There are 4 medium sized ponds in the
area.
Site 5. is comprised of the city center, the George Enescu, Obcini and Zamca districts. Only one natural temporary
small-sized pond remains in the area. Four man-made parks are also present in the area.
Site 6. is the Burdujeni district, a completely urban area. Only one man-made park is present in the area.
Site 7. is the Iţcani district, an area very similar to the previously mentioned one.

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The urban and peri-urban herpetofauna in the city of Suceava 55

Study Methods

The study was conducted during 2001-2006, in each year from February to October. In the majority of cases, the
animals were directly observed but some specimens were captured by hand and subsequently released. Identifying animals
killed by local people or by traffic also played a crucial role in our research and all the species mentioned in this study have
been personally identified. The hybrids were determined by their morphological and chromatic characteristics, the
determination being made after main features and measurements indicated in the scientific literature (Berger 1966, 1973,
Cogălniceanu et al 2000, Csata 1998, Fuhn 1960, Ghira & Mara 2000, Stugren 1980, Szymura 1993). Some amphibian species were
identified by examining captured larva.

Results

The results of our study have revealed the presence of 11 amphibian (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus
cristatus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidelea viridis, Pelophylax lessonae,
Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria) and 5 reptile (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis,
Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix) species in the research area. We have also identified
Pelophylax kl. esculentus and hybrids between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata.

Triturus cristatus Laurentus 1768 is a relatively rare species in the area. We have observed individuals
only in the small sized ponds from Site 1 and in three temporary ponds from Site 5. Of the temporary ponds
from Site 5, only one exists in the present. The other ponds in which the crested newt was observed have
been destroyed trough drainage. It appears that this species is mostly linked in the area to the forested
region from Site 1, which probably represents its summer habitat and hosts its most important breeding
ponds.
Lissotriton vulgaris Linnaeus 1758 is present in the same areas and habitats as the previous species
and also in Site 4. It appears that the smooth newt is present in much larger numbers than the crested newt
but, it is also as vulnerable as the crested newt due to habitat destruction.
Bombina bombina Linnaues 1761 is, again, a rare species in the area, being present only in Site 1 and
Site 4.
Bombina variegata Linnaeus 1758 is more common than all the previous species in the area. It is
represented by large numbers in Site 1 and it is also present in Site 4, 5 and 6. The success of this species is
probably due to its capability to adapt and use every available aquatic habitat for reproduction, even
puddles created by car tires in the ground.
Bombina bombina X Bombina variegata
Hybrids between the two native species of the genus Bombina appear only in Site 1.
Bufo bufo Linnaeus 1758 is a very rare species in the area. We have observed this species only at the
edge of the forest from Site 1 and at the northern border of Site 6. Only on one occasion has a clutch of
common toad eggs been recorded in our study area, at the edge of the forested area from Site 1.
Pseudepidelea viridis Laurentus 1768 has been recorded by us in completely urban locations, in large
numbers. At the moment, it appears to be one of the most common species and the most successful in
regards to its capability to adapt to changes in its environment. Even so, we consider that the species is very
vulnerable due to the fact that we were able to identify only one breeding pool which is used by this species,
in Site 5.
Hyla arborea Linnaeus 1758 is relatively common in the peri-urban environments. It has been
recorded at Sites 1, 3, 4 and 5. Even though it has been recorded in a temporary pond from Site 5, the
summer habitat, for the population that uses that pond for reproduction purposes, most surely is Site 1.
Pelophylax lessonae Camerano 1878 was only recorded by us twice, in Site 1. Further investigations
have to be made in order to clarify the status of this species in the area.
Pelophylax kl. esculentus Linnaeus 1758 has been recorded in Site 1 and 3.
Pelophylax ridibundus Linnaeus 1758 is very common in the peri-urban areas, as well as in some
urban locations from Site 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Rana temporaria Linnaeus 1758 is very common and present in very large numbers trough out the
year in Site 1 and it is also present in Site 2, Site 3 and Site 4.

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56 Al. Strugariu et al

Rana dalmatina Bonaparte 1840 has only been observed sporadically at the northern limit of Site 6 and
at the western limit of Site 7. The individuals recorded by us had probably arrived accidentally in the area
from near by deciduous forests.
Emys orbicularis Linnaeus 1758 is a very rare species, being recorded only at Site 3 and Site 4. Very
few individuals were recorded and this species seems to be locally critically endangered.
Anguis fragilis Nordmann 1840 has been recorded, like Rana dalmatina, only sporadically at the
northern tip of Site 6, where it probably arrived from a near by deciduous forest.
Zootoca vivipara Jacquin 1787 was only identified in the area at Site 4, at the edge of the artificial
ponds. Very few individuals have been found, even in that area. It seems to be dependent to the vegetation
that surrounds the ponds. The local people burn the vegetation every spring, directly killing the lizards or
leaving them vulnerable to predators (such as Falco tinunculus).
Lacerta agilis Linnaeus 1758 is the most common species of reptile in the area, being recorded by us
in all 7 sites, with the most numerous populations being located at Site 1 and Site 3, the only remaining
natural habitats for this species in the area.
Natrix natrix Linnaeus 1758 is rare in the area. Very few individuals were recorded in every site and
all individuals encountered in true urban environments were found killed by local peaople.

Table 1. The types of environments inhabited by the amphibian and reptile species
in Suceava city.

Presence Environment
Species Peri-
Constant Sporadic Urban Natural Man-made
urban
Triturus cristatus + - + + + -
Lissotriton vulgaris + - + + + +
Hyla arborea + - + + + +
Bombina bombina + - + + + +
Bombina variegata + - + + + +
B. bombina X B. variegata + - + + + +
Bufo bufo - + - + + -
Pseudepidelea viridis + - + - + +
Pelophylax lessonae + - - + + -
Pelophylax ridibundus + - + + + +
Pelophylax kl. esculentus + - + + + +
Rana dalmatina - + - + + -
Rana temporaria + - + + + +
Emys orbicularis + - + + + +
Anguis fragilis - + - + + -
Zootoca vivipara + - - + - +
Lacerta agilis + - + + + +
Natrix natrix + - + + + +

As can be concluded from Fig.2, the site in which the largest percentage of amphibian and reptile
species exist is Site 1. Most of the amphibian populations from the city of Suceava use the temporary ponds
from this site as reproductive pools and some species (Bombina variegata, Bombina bombina, Pelophylax
ridibundus and Pelophylax lessonae) also use them as summer habitats. Also, the forest and forest’s edge
represent the main summer habitats for Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Hyla arborea and Rana
temporaria. The habitats from the area are mostly natural and the anthropogenic impact is reduced in
comparison with the other investigated sites. The most vulnerable habitats from this site are the temporary
ponds situated in areas most frequented by people. Their contamination could destroy the inhabiting
populations of amphibians.
In spite of the fact that it is a “green space”, Site 2 hosts the smallest percentage of herpetofauna
species due to the fact that it is a man-made environment which hosts no important reproductive pools for
amphibians. Humans, in large numbers, are also a constant presence and disturbing factor for the local
herpetofauna. Therefore, the only amphibians and reptiles observed in this site were recorded at its north-
eastern limit, where anthropogenic impact is at its lowest.

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The urban and peri-urban herpetofauna in the city of Suceava 57

Figure 2. The percentage of amphibian and reptile species present in the 7 investigated sites

Site 3 is inhabited by a relatively low number of amphibian and reptile species but this is probably
due to natural causes, the species that are present, being typical for the existing environment (Rana
temporaria, Rana ridibunda, Hyla arborea, Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix). Being situated in the
middle of the city, the anthropogenic impact in the area is very strong. The natural habitats from the river’s
meadow, in the Suceava city area have been almost completely destroyed, in order to leave space for
warehouses, factories or waste disposal sites. Probably due to the fact that its nesting habitats have been
destroyed, the pond terrapin is extremely rare in this site. Both the grass snake and the sand lizard are also
threatened here due to these activities.
Site 4 represents an important area for the herpetofauna, even if the habitats are man-made. All of
the species present in the man-made ponds have probably existed prior to the building of the lakes, in
natural water cannels or near streams. The areas inhabited by amphibians and reptiles are surrounded by
agricultural fields and the eventual extension of these could severely affect the Lissotriton vulgaris, Rana
temporaria, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix and Emys orbicularis terrestrial habitats. Also, burning
of the lake side vegetation (Fig. 4) also threatens these species.

Figure 3. Former Lacerta agilis habitat. Current waste dumping ground at Site 3.

Site 5 hosts an important small sized temporary breeding pool, the only one that we know of as
being used by Pseudepidelea viridis. Being in an urban environment, it is probably just a matter of time before
Herpetol. Rom, 1, 2007
58 Al. Strugariu et al

the pool will be destroyed in order to make room for buildings. This has already happened to 2 other
breeding pools that existed in this site. All the other species of amphibians that breed in this pool most
probably use Site 1 as their summer habitat, being that Site 1 is situated in close proximity to this pond.
Except for Pelophylax ridibundus which inhabits the small streams that cross Site 6 and Site 7, all the
other species of amphibians occur mostly accidentally in the areas, probably from natural habitats that exist
near by, outside the city borders. Lacerta agilis occurs especially near the train stations and on the railroad
embankments from the areas.

Disscusion

Inside the administrative territory of the city of Suceava, 11 amphibian (Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus
cristatus, Hyla arborea, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Pseudepidelea viridis, Pelophylax lessonae,
Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina and Rana temporaria) and 5 reptile (Emys orbicularis, Anguis fragilis,
Zootoca vivipara, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix) species were recorded, as well as Pelophylax kl. esculentus and
hybrids between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata. Three of these (Bufo bufo, Rana dalmatina and Anguis
fragilis) species have only been recorded sporadically. Most of these species have also been cited in urban or
peri-urban environments from other towns and cities from Romania. For example, Bombina bombina, Bombina
variegata, Bufo bufo, Pseudopidelea viridis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina, Rana temporaria, Emys
orbicularis, Lacerta agilis and Natrix natrix have also been identified in the city of Oradea (N-W Romania)
along with hybrids between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata (Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2000, Sas et al.
2005). In Oradea, the Bombina hybrids are present in the center of the city, in a totally urbanized environment
(Sas et al. 2005). Other species from the native fauna have also been mentioned for different cities from
Romania (e.g. Vipera berus in Cluj (Ghira et al. 2002), Lacerta trilineata, Podarcis taurica, Zamenis longissimus
and Elaphe sauromates in Tulcea (Covaciu – Marcov et al. 2006b).

Figure 4. Burning of lake side vegetation at Site 4.

A threat to the existence of Zootoca vivipara in the area.

Pelobates fuscus has previously been recorded in the former Iţcani village, the current Iţcani district of
the city of Suceava (Site 7) (Fuhn 1960). Even if we cannot completely exclude the possibility that this species
still exists in the area, it is most probable that its habitats have been destroyed along with the fusion between
the Iţcani village and the city of Suceava and the urbanization that took place in the area. Therefore, the
probability that the common spade-foot toad still occurs in the city of Suceava is very small. Several other
species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in natural areas situated in close proximity to the city
of Suceava: Rana arvalis, Coronella austriaca, Zamenis longissimus (Strugariu et al. 2006 a, b and “in press”).

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The urban and peri-urban herpetofauna in the city of Suceava 59

There is a chance that these species once existed in our research area but probably disappeared due to the
expansion of the city and the destruction of their natural habitats.
The most important areas for the herpetofauna are represented by two peri-urban environments (Site
1 and Site 4), one of which is a man-made environment. In some parts of Romania, some aspects of
urbanization seem to be in favor of the herpetofauna. Therefore, railroad embankments, for example, have
offered a suitable habitat for Podarcis muralis in North-Western Romania (Covaciu-Marcov et al 2006c), for
Lacerta viridis, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix and Vipera berus near Iasi (Strugariu Al., unpublished data)
and for Lacerta trilineata near the city of Tulcea (Fuhn, 1969).
One of the two natural environments from the city (Site 3) houses few species of amphibians and
reptiles due to the fact that it is situated in the center of an urban environment which is constantly
expanding, destroying the natural landscape. One of the peri-urban sites from the city (Site 2) hosts the
smallest number of species, due to the fact that it is a recently created environment which is intensely used
as a recreation spot by humans. Most of the truly urban environments are inhabited only by Pseudepidelea
viridis, all the other species occurring mostly accidentally in them. Only one important amphibian breeding
pond has been identified in an urban environment. In a study on European tree frogs, the results indicated
that anthropogenic impact is significant up to a distance of 1 km from a city (Pellet et al. 2004). Also, our
study indicates that the diversity and abundance of the herpetofauna increases in direct proportion with the
distance from urban areas.
The fact that Bombina bombina is a rare species in the area could also be explained by the fact that it is
present here at its superior altitude range in Romania (Strugariu et al 2006 b and “in press”). Also, in Site 1, it
competes for resources and hybridizes with Bombina variegata. It has been hypothesized that hybrids might
have a higher capability to adapt to extreme conditions such as a highly polluted environment from an
urban or peri-urban landscape (Sas et al. 2005).
The species from the Pelophylax esculentus complex seem to be very adaptable and somewhat
indifferent to changes in their surrounding landscapes, as long as their aquatic habitats remain unpolluted.
This fact is proven by all the papers that contain even scarce data in regards to urban herpetofauna
composition (e.g. Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2000, Ghira et al. 2002).
All the species identified in the area are vulnerable, being under constant ecological stress due to the
destruction and fragmentation of their natural habitats. Both newt species, Rana temporaria, Hyla arborea and
Bombina variegata are dependent on the forest areas or water side vegetation to survive (Fuhn 1960,
Cogălniceanu et al. 2000). In spite of the fact that it was recorded trough out the city, only in urban
environments, only one pond in which the green toad (Pseudepidelea viridis) reproduces was found. Just the
fact that this species, like all amphibians, is linked to aquatic habitats trough their reproductive biology and
ecology (Fuhn, 1960), makes it vulnerable in a constantly changing urban environment.
Zootoca vivipara is represented by a single localized population in a single site. The population is
highly threatened by the possibility of expansion of the agricultural fields that surround its habitat and by
the burning of the lake side vegetation. The burning of vegetation also poses a serious threat to Rana arvalis
populations from North-Western Romania (Sas et al. 2006) and to several amphibian and reptile species in
some areas from Galati County (Strugariu Al., unpublished data).
Being that most large Romanian cities are expanding due to economical development, natural
landscapes from the cities will become urban and most probably be destroyed. Because of this, it is the
authors’ opinion, that studies concerning the precise composition and distribution of the herpetofauna in
urban and peri-urban environments should be made and taken into consideration during urbanization
planning, in order to protect the areas most important for the herpetofauna. This is especially important due
to the fact that several species of the native herpetofauna are considered to be vulnerable and endangered
(Iftime 2001, 2005) and are strictly protected by Law Number 13/1993 (Cogălniceanu et al. 2000). Recently,
Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Bombina variegata and Emys orbicularis have been specified in Annex 2 of
the Order number 1198 from 25/11/2005, being species that require protection trough the establishment of
special areas for conservation.

Acknowledgements. We are indebted to Ioan Ghira (“Babeş-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Biology-Geology, Cluj, Romania), Istvan
Sas (University of Oradea, Faculty of Science, Oradea, Romania), Andreea Nicoara (“Al. I. Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Iasi,
Romania) and Tibor Hartel (“Mircea Eliade” College, Sighişoara, Romania) for their helpful suggestions and comments on earlier
versions of the manuscript and for some of the cited literature. We also thank all of the members of the Moldavica Herpetological Club
(www.moldavica.freeservers.com) for their crucial help in the field work.

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60 Al. Strugariu et al

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***** Ordin Nr. 1198 din 25/11/2005, Publicat in Monitorul Oficial, Partea I nr. 1097 din 6/12/2005. ANEXA nr. 2: Specii de plante si
animale a căror conservare necesită desemnarea ariilor speciale de conservare şi a ariilor de protecţie avifaunistică.

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