La herpetofauna del Alto Ampurdán. I. Faunística

Abstract

The Herpetofauna of the Alto Ampurdán I. Faunistic
A faunistical synthesis of the herpetological comrnunity of Alto Ampurdán (East of the Mediterraiiean Pyrenees, Spain) is presented. The study was started in 1974 and finished in 1982. 35 species were found to inhabit the area, this number reflects the great biogeographic diversity of its herpetofauna. Some interesting findings concerning several Reptiles (Testudo hermanni, Mauremysleprosa, Vipera aspis, Vipera latasti, Coluber viridiflavus, Elaphe longissima) and Amphibians (Euproctus asper, Discoglossus pictus, Rana temporaria) are described. The distribution, altimetry, and phenological aspects of each species is discussed from a regional and extraregional point of view. The concept of landscape’s criptosystemic ecological component, for the herpefauna, is introduced.