Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 36/1. (2016)
Zoology
Vlad POSTOLACHI, VladimirTSURCAN, Nicolae ZUBCOV Results and discussions During the study Natrix tessellata has been recorded in 39 stations: 8 stations in the meadow of the Prut River: Criva, Costesti, Cobani, Balatina, Ungheni, Valea Mare Slobozia Mare, Giurgiulesti; 14 stations in the meadow of Dniester River: Naslavcea, Calaraseuca, Unguri, Holosnita, Cosauti, Racovat Cerlina, Saharna, Tipova, Viscauti, Molovata, Holercani, Copanca Palanca; 10 stations in the meadow of Raut River: Ghindesti, Rogojeni, Stefanesti, Brinzenii Vechi, Brinzenii Noi, Furceni, Ivancea, Branesti, Trebujeni, Mascauti; 3 stations in the Cahul River floodplain: Gavan, Vulcanesti, Etulia; by one station in the meadows of Rivers Ikel (Goian), Draghiste (Brinzeni), Bic (Gura Bicului), Isnovat (Milestii Mici). The density of snakes at 1 km of route varies depending on site, trophic resources and season and oscillates between 12 specimens (Unguri) and 150 specimens (Gura Bicului) (Fig. 1), but on average is estimated at 20—40 specimens. Sizes of mature snakes, which were measured, vary between 43.2 (male captured at Trebujeni) and 103.3 cm (female captured at Gura Bicului). Males, usually, have smaller dimensions than females, ranged between 43.2—84.5 cm, while the size of females was from 72.2 to 103.3 cm. Male tail length varies between 10.5-18.2 cm and of females between 13.4—18.8 cm. Weight of snakes varies between 25.75 and 240.8 g, females usually being thicker. Dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows. They have between 153-180 abdominal shields and between 51-73 pairs ofsubcaudal shields (Tab. 1). Table 1: Characteristic of main biometric and morphological parameters of species Natrix tessellata in the Republic of Moldova Sex Values L.tot. L.head+L.body. L.cd. w S.v. S.cd. Sq (mm)_________(mm)______(mm)_________(g)_______________________________ ~S Max. 84.5 66.3__________1R2________104.16________179 73 19 Min. 43.2__________4Ц2__________105_________25-75_________165 59 19 ________ Med. 70-5±5.7 55.6±4.5 14.8±1.3 58.5±17.6 172 67 19~ 110 Fig. 1: The density of dice snake in different sites estimated at 1 km of route
