Severus-Daniel Covaciu-Marcov

Seasonal variation in the diet of a population of Hyla arborea from Romania

We examined the diet of Hyla arborea over its entire activity period (March to late September, 2004), and analysed a total of 585 adult samples. From the stomach contents we identified plant remains, shed-skin fragments, and animals. We identified a total of 2976 prey items, almost all of which originated from the terrestrial environment. Adult araneans and coleopterans were the most abundant prey items in the diet of the studied tree frogs. Some of the prey items become abundant in certain parts of the year (e.g. Homoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, Trichoptera). The dietary diversity index is high and exhibits seasonal changes. During the period of study an important seasonal change was observed in feeding intensity and in the type of consumed prey. Our results show that Hyla arborea has a broad dietary diversity which was expected as a consequence of exploiting the habitat both vertically and horizontally, possibly allowing access to a broader spectrum of prey.

After the Last Train Passes: Data on the Fauna from Abandoned Railway Tunnels in Romania

The importance of artificial underground habitats for biodiversity is becoming more and more apparent. Abandoned railway tunnels are artificial, underground habitats of considerable biodiversity, including several species of conservation concern. We surveyed 16 abandoned railway tunnels in 2014 in Romania for the following faunal groups: amphibians, terrestrial isopods, and spiders. Amphibians occurred primarily in flooded tunnels, isopods were present in moist tunnels with woody debris, while spiders were widespread and exhibited the greatest diversity in railway tunnels. Some species of amphibians breed in tunnels. The greatest diversity was observed in the entrance zones of tunnels; because railway tunnels are generally isolated from the surrounding rock, they can be colonized only from the entrances. In areas lacking natural subterranean cavities and habitats, railway tunnels are important habitats for many species, including troglophilic spiders and soil-dwelling isopods.

Winter-active wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) in thermal habitats from western Romania

Shores of channels with thermal water provide an adequate microclimate for maintaining wolf spiders in activity during winter. Of the spiders collected after the winter survey of 22 thermal habitats from western Romania, 93.02% were juveniles and subadults, while the remaining individuals belonged to the following seven species: Arctosa leopardus, Pardosa amentata, Pardosa proxima, Pirata piraticus, Piratula latitans, Trochosa robusta and Trochosa ruricola. The reproductive period of some species is altered under the influence of neighbouring hot waters, as revealed by the capture of females with egg sacs and spiderlings, during winter.