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Stamatios Kalogiannis

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 957-962

    Stamatios Kalogiannis & Platon Stefanopoulos
    Like pieces in a puzzle: first record of Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Colubridae) on Skiathos island (Northern Sporades, Greece)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.957.962

    ABSTRACT
    The Balkan racer, Hierophis gemonensis (Laurenti, 1768) (Reptilia Colubridae) is a widespread colubrid snake in mainland Greece, with a rather irregular distribution across the Greek islands. Previous records from the Northern Sporades were limited to the islands of Tsougrias, Aspronisi, and Skopelos. In this note, we document the first recorded occurrence of H. gemonensis on Skiathos island and provide an updated assessment of its distribution within the Northern Sporades archipelago. We discuss the implications of this new record for understanding the species’ biogeography in the region and the potential factors influencing its island distribution.