Status and zoogeography of the herpetofauna of Cyprus, with taxonomic and natural history notes on selected species (generaRana, Coluber, Natrix, Vipera)

13 of the 23 amphibian and reptile species inhabiting Cyprus occur at the opposite mainland in taxonomically identical populations, 9 are, though partly under debate, subspecifically differentiated at best, and only one represents an endemic species. We discuss this pattern of weak insular endemism including the obvious lack of many forms in Cyprus that occur on the opposite coasts, and correlate it with palaeogeographic data. Anthropogenic dispersal may have been an important factor. Rana levantina is added to the Cypriot species list and replaces R. ridibunda. Natrix natrix ssp.? has been rediscovered from a second extant locality; it is certainly not identical with populations on the opposite Turkish coast. Natural history notes are given for Coluber cypriensis, the taxonomic and zoogeographic status of which is discussed. A remarkable scalation anomaly is reported in Vipera lebetina.