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SITES
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Huelva, Spain Reptiles and Amphibians The Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) has been recorded from the site together with a number of, as yet unidentified species. company employees have reported that snakes are often attracted to the water sprays on the lawns around the office buildings. Lizards are common in Andalusia with at least nine species occurring in the Coto Donana reserve (Mountfort 1958). The Halimium thickets there evidently support a high lizard population, mainly Spine-footed (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) and Algerian Sand Lizard (Psammodromus algirus) (Valverde 1958). Numerous lizards are present in similar habitats at Tioxide, so it is likely that these are the same species. Further surveys will be required to confirm this. The Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) frequents the boundary walls of the site where it is quite common. Although not yet recorded on the site the Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) does occur in the immediate area. It might eventually be discovered on the Tioxide property or could be purposely introduced. This is a very charismatic species and is of growing conservation concern in Europe. Since there are no permanent wetland habitats on the Tioxide site aquatic reptiles and amphibians are rare or absent. The Stripe-necked Terrapin (Mauremys caspica) however, has been seen in areas adjacent to the site. |
