Die Kriechtiere (Reptilia) der Stadt Halle/Saale (Sachsen-Anhalt) und der Stadt Leipzig (Sachsen)

Abstract

Grosse, W.-R.: The reptiles (Reptilia) of the cities of Halle (Saxony-Anhalt) and Leipzig (Saxony). – Hercynia N.F. 42 (2009): 125-145.The distribution of the reptiles of the cities of Halle (Saxony-Anhalt) and Leipzig (Saxony) is described. A big fund of historical data of the distribution it exists. Recent data of 1961-2008 are shown and informations on habitate use, phenology and status of threat are added. The biodiversity of the reptiles decreases from the periphery of the town to the city centre. In the historical old towns no reptiles occure.The periphery of both towns, mainly characterised by agriculture and industry hosts an extremely low number of reptile species. Occurrence of national importance can be found in the floodplains of the south and northwest of both towns. These locations are hot spots of reptile species diversity. Currently three autochthonous reptile species occur in the city of Halle and five autochthonous species in the city of Leipzig. The Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is the most frequent species. The Gras snake (Natrix natrix) and the Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) are rarer compared to it. The Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) occurs only in Leipzig. Since the end of the 1980s there was no record on the European Pond tortoise (Emys orbicularis), which is possibly extinct. The origin of the recently observed Wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) in Halle is unknown.