B. Najbar

Genetic structure and differentiation of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandraat the northern margin of its range in the Carpathians

Amphibian populations occurring at the margin of the species range exhibit lower genetic variation due to strong genetic drift and long-term isolation. Limited mobility and site fidelity together with habitat changes may accelerate genetic processes leading to local extinction. Here, we analyze genetic variation of the fire salamander subspecies Salamandra s. salamandrainhabiting the Outer Carpathian region in Poland, at the northern border of its distribution. Nuclear DNA polymorphism based on 10 microsatellite loci of 380 individuals sampled in 11 populations were analysed to measure gene flow between subpopulations and possible long-term isolation. Mitochondrial DNA control region analysis among 17 individuals representing 13 localities was used to detect the origin of populations which colonized Northern Europe after the last glaciation. Overall, pairwise F ST’s and AMOVA test of ‘among group’ variation showed little differences in the allele frequencies and relatively high local gene flow. However, Bayesian clustering results revealed subtle structuring between eastern and western part of the studied region. Two extreme marginal populations from the Carpathian Piedmont revealed reduced genetic variation which may be attributed to strong influence of genetic drift. Only one mitochondrial DNA haplotype (type IIb) was found in all individuals and suggest that after the Last Glacial Maximum Salamandra salamandramigrated to the North-Western Europe from the single glacial refugium placed in the Balkan Peninsula.

The morphometrics and colouration of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Lubuskie province (West Poland)

The European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, is an endangered species in Poland. The region of the Ilanka River, in the western part of the country (Lubuskie province), is the most densely inhabited area by the species. Several populous sites are dispersed over the whole area of the province. Over the past 10 years, 279 turtles were captured at 11 sites. In 218 individuals, those with a straight carapace length (SCL) between 2.10–12.10 cm, sex was not determined; the remaining 61 with SCL 13.33–19.85 cm were sexed. Females had bigger bodies and were heavier than males. The SCL of females was 17.10 ± 1.7 cm (average ± SD, n = 33), their body mass (BM) was 790.6 ± 228.7 g (n = 27), and in the case of males SCL was 15.44 ± 1.5 cm and BM was 554.2 ± 138.8 g (n = 28). SCL of the smallest egg laying female was 15.30 cm, and SCL of the smallest mating male was 13.33 cm. The colouration of the turtles which undergoes change with age can be varied.

Reproductive ecology of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis [Linnaeus, 1758] [Testudines: Emydidae] in Western Poland

From May 1999 until June 2003, 48 nests of the European pond turtle Emys or- bicularis were observed in the valleys of Ilanka and Pliszka rivers (western Poland). 33 nests dug by turtles were found in the vicinity of the Ilanka river, where 15 marked fe- males laid 373 eggs. A further 13 nests were completely damaged by predators. In 2 cases (in the valley of the Pliszka river) ploughed nests were found with 19 undamaged eggs. The earliest date of egg laying was May 24 th and the latest was on June 13 th . Digging a chamber, egg laying and burying the nest took between 60-145 minutes, 97.7 minutes on the average. Most females started egg laying 19.20-20.30 and finished 20.55-0.55. The number of eggs varied between 5-17 (av. 11.3). The average length of the eggs was 33.8 mm, the width 19.8 mm and weight 7.8 g. 210 turtles hatched from 392 eggs (from 35 clutches) (53.58%). 160 were subsequently reared in artificial conditions. 50 young tur- tles were left in natural conditions. Lack of snow and low temperatures probably caused their death. 65 eggs (16.58%) were dug up and destroyed by predators, 22 eggs (young in- dividuals during hatching) (5.61%) were damaged underground by ants. Embryos died in 38 eggs (9.69%) at different, mainly final, stages of development, 30 eggs (7.65%) had shells damaged mechanically, the remaining 27 eggs (6.89%) were not fertilized.

Migrations of hatchling European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) after nest emergence

Distances between nest sites of Emys orbicularis and the nearest water bodies can be long. We studied whether a longer distance could affect the probability of hatchling survival, migration time, and body mass loss. In our research area (Lubuskie district, western Poland), nest sites were situated on a slope; the closest water body was in a distance of 72-290 m. Near the water body we constructed a 550 m long drift fence to recapture hatchlings migrating down the slope. We monitored 32 hatchlings from 7 different nests deposited in the years 2008-2010. The hatchlings started to emerge from their nests on 9 and 13 April 2009, 7 and 9 April 2010, 30 March, 7 and 8 April 2011. Then, hatchlings were radiotracked using transmitters glued on their carapaces. Individuals ( n = 20 ) recaptured near the fence travelled the distance between the nest site and the fence within 18-727 hours (0.75-∼30 days). Hatchlings from nests situated only a short distance away (72-81 m) were recaptured in higher numbers, compared to those from nests situated further away (227-290 m). During the journey the hatchlings lost on average ∼3.8% of their initial body mass. The hatchlings which migrated longer lose more of their initial body mass than those which migrated shorter.