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Valorization of the newly found European snake-eyed skink population (Ablepharus kitaibelii) on Stinice

The European snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii) is the smallest lizard in Croatia and one of the smallest lizards in Europe. Its total body length reaches a maximum of 13 cm while their weight is between 0.7 and 1.5 grams. In Croatia, the European snake-eyed skink is limited to a very small area in the Papuk Nature Park and to several localities in the town of Ilok and its surroundings. On Papuk, the species is limited to the slopes of the Turjak-Mališćak-Pliš peaks, above Velika. In 2019, the species was recorded at a new site, Stinice. The main goal of this research is to confirm the presence of species of the European snake-eyed skink in Stinice, Papuk and to determine stability and survival of this population. In addition to individual sampling of morphometric and ecological parameters, transects were determined to assess the relative number and density of the population. Additionally, data collected during this research were compared with the data from previous studies on Turjak in order to determine population trend. During this research altogether 34 individuals were caught (32 adult and two juveniles) and their morphometric data were taken and five body indices calculated. As well, ecological data (soil and air temperature, sun/shadow), tail condition and behaviour were recorded. The population on Stinice corresponds to subspecies A. k. fitzingers based on morphometric characteristics and represents another subpopulation on Papuk. In 64.71% of individuals caught, the tail was in the regeneration process which confirms high predation pressure on this population. Furthermore, we observed for the first time an individual of European mantis (Mantis religiosa) to feed on European snake-eyed skink carcass. Comparison of individuals from newly discovered population from Stinice showed larger head proportions compared to individuals from Turjak. Monitoring was carried out in the field using the method of line transects. In total three line transects were set and two researchers were always checking them simultaneously. Altogether 40 individuals were recorded during transect search. The analysis of data collected on linear transects during monitoring showed population density of the European snake-eyed skink in Stinice to be six individuals per hectare. Comparing with the population density of the European snake-eyed skink on Turjak, which is 97 individuals per hectare, it can be concluded that the population of the European snake-eyed skink on Stinice has a lower density and lower relative number than the population on Turjak. This research has also shown that population from Stinice does not stand such high antropogenic pressure, since there are no hiking trails in the vicinity. This, together with the fact that allochthonous black pine (Pinus nigra) is not present in Stinice, reduces its chance of forest fire.

European snake-eyed skink ; morphometry ; monitoring ; population density

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