DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES TARGETED BY THE PROJECT:
Canis lupus – wolf – a priority species within the European Union, the wolf is one of the most effective predators. It is a large carnivore, similar to a domestic dog, hunting solitary or in a pack. Its body length is between 100-145 cm, its weight is 30-35 kg for the female and 35-45 kg for the male, with a maximum of 75 kg. The height at the withers reaches 70-80 cm. The fur of the wolf is gray-yellow, with large black spots on the back and tail. Its prey consists in cervids, rabbits, boars, rodents and sometimes domestic animals. It hunts on large territories and depends on numerical concentrations of prey. For this reason, there may be fluctuations in the density of the pack and the number of its members.
Lutra lutra – otter – it is a water dependent animal, feeding on aquatic species: fish, crustaceans, amphibians etc. It is a nocturnal and solitary animal and a male’s territory can extend over the territory of several females. It is the largest mustelid in Romania, with a slight sexual dimorphism, the female being smaller than the male. The fur is dense and well adapted to the aquatic environment and low temperatures. The color of the fur is dark brown on the head, back and sides and lighter on the rest of the body. The legs are short but wide and end with 5 fingers joined through an interdigital membrane.
Ursus arctos – bear – it is Europe’s largest terrestrial carnivore, with a body length that can reach 235 cm for the male and 200 cm for the female. Its weight is 60-250 kg. Bears are usually solitary, except for females with cubs or during mating. They hibernate during winter, but if they don’t lack food or if the winters are mild, they remain active. It is omnivorous and not at all pretentious. It feeds on dead animals, live wild or domestic animals, large insects, and predominantly, during the warm season, with berries, green plants, succulents, hazelnuts, etc.
Lynx lynx – lynx – it is the largest wild feline in Europe, reaching 80-130 cm in length, 60-75 cm height at the withers and 16-38 kg in weight, the male being larger than the female. The fur is orange, with black spots, and the ears are large and have a black hairpin on the top. The tip of the tail is dark. The lynx is solitary and prefers old rocky forests. It is nocturnal and shy and does not tolerate the presence of man.
Lissotriton (Triturus) montandoni – Carpathian newt – it is endemic for the Eastern Carpathians and it can be found in Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. It prefers permanent or temporary ponds, clean and cold streams, flowing waters, marshes, lakes etc. It can be found at altitudes between 500 and 1900 m. The ventral color is yellow, without spots. On the back, the female has a brown crosslinked drawing on a yellow-green background. The male’s color is olive brown, with darker spots. At the edge of the ventral-dorsal parts, there is a stripe with small, distant points. The male has a slightly tall dorsal crest and 2 lateral edges (in cross section, the body is of square shape). Sometimes the tail ends with a caudal filament similar to the one that Triturus vulgaris ampelensis has. The reproduction period begins in April-May and culminates in the aquatic nuptial game, then in the spermatophore internal fertilization. Ponta is deposited on submerged vegetation during May-June. Often, some individuals remain in the water after the pond is deposited, and some of them spend the winter in the water.
Triturus cristatus – great crested newt – it can be found in most of Europe, and in Romania it is missing only from Dobrogea and the Danube Delta, where it is replaced by Triturus dobrogicus (former Triturus cristatus dobrogicus). It prefers large still water basins with rich pond vegetation that the triton uses to hide. It can be found at altitudes of 100-1900 m. Its color is dark brown and black on the back, with many white dots on the flanks / sides. During mating period, males have a high jagged dorsal crest, extending from the occipital area to the tip of the tail, missing only in the lumbar region. On the ventral side, they have many black spots on yellow background, except for the goiter area. Females have no crest. Triturus cristatus can be found in the water in March-June, but some specimens remain there throughout the year. It goes out of the water in June, but stays nearby and gets active at night. It hibernates on land. The female deposits between 60 and 200 eggs on submerged plants or plants that make up the substrate.
Cottus gobio – bullhead – it is a species that lives in mountain rivers and streams. It feeds on invertebrates, spawn and fish eggs (it is a bentofag predator). It often lies under the stones. Its size is small (8-10 cm), with a massive head and the mouth at the top of the trunk. It has 2 uneven dorsal fins, joined by a bridge. It has no scales and the characteristic color is olive brown, with darker spots. It is an indicator of water quality.
Rosalia alpina – Rosalia longicorn – it is a large insect, 15-38 mm long, elongated, gray-blue, with black spots on the sheaths and long antennae, which can exceed the length of the body and reach 50-55 mm. The life cycle lasts 2-3 years, the female lays eggs in spring in the bark of the trees. Larvae grow in the trunk. They prefer beech, but also grow in willow, hornbeam, oak, holm, even apple. Adults are active during sunny days, but can also appear in the twilight. They prefer dry and sunny old forests (with trunk diameter over 20 cm).
Callimorpha quadripunctaria – striped butterfly – it is a nocturnal species, with the wing size of 40-60 mm. The front wings are black and have white transversal striations. The back wings are red and have black-blue spots. It has sexual dimorphism, with females having hairless antennae and males having hairy antennae. Butterfly larvae live on species of rosaceae, sycamore, vine, locust etc. The adult comes out in June-August, but its occurance also depends on temperature and altitude.
