The distribution of lowland Zootoca vivipara populations in North-Western Romania

In the North-Western part of Romania (the Western Plains) we have identified Zootoca vivipara populations in 78 localities, at altitudes between 89 and 198 m. In this area, the distribution of the viviparous lizard is restricted to regions where the yearly average temperature is lower than 10 degrees C. In the Western Plains, the Zootoca vivipara populations are located in very humid habitats. They inhabit both forested and cleared wetlands, occupying marshes or the areas around plashes. In the Northern part of the Western Plains, the Zootoca vivipara populations from the plain are separated from the ones from the Oas Mountains, by not more than 30 km.