The reptiles of the Matese Massif (southern Italy)

Long-term investigations on the reptiles of the Matese Massif (Campania side and Molise side, southern Italy) were carried out from 2008 to 2019. Eighteen species of reptiles (2 Testudines, 7 Sauria, 9 Serpentes) were found: Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, Hemidactylus turcicus, Tarentola mauritanica, Anguis veronensis, Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis siculus, Chalcides chalcides, Coronella austriaca, Coronella girondica, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Hierophis viridiflavus, Natrix helvetica, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis lineatus, Zamenis longissimus, and Vipera aspis. This is very interesting as the number of species found in the study area is the same of that so far observed in much wider geographically areas of southern Italy, i.e. Campania and Molise regions. The most widespread species are Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis siculus, Anguis veronensis, Hierophis viridiflavus and Natrix helvetica, while the most localized ones are Emys orbicularis, Testudo hermanni, Hemidactylus turcicus, Tarentola mauritanica, and Coronella girondica. In the study area both species Zamenis lineatus and Z. longissimus occur sympatrically. The results of our investigation point out the environmental importance and the high herpetological interest of the study area. Therefore, the maintenance of natural habitats and their correct management for conservation of the local populations of reptiles are of crucial importance