THE FIRST RECORD OF ABLEPHARUS KITAIBELII (BIBRON AND BORY DE SAINT-VINCENT, 1833) IN THE NORTH OF OLT COUNTY

The lizards of the fam. Scincidae are represented by a single species over most of South East Europe. The Snake-eyed Skink is one of the smallest lizards in Europe with a relatively secretive lifestyle. Regarding the distribution of this species, the Snake-eyed Skink - Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron & Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) has not been reported so far in the north of Olt County. It is the first recording in this area. This research indicates for the first time two populations of Ablepharus kitaibelii situated in the commune of Bărăști, in an area where the species was not previously documented. This commune is located in the north of Olt county, 50 km away from the municipality of Slatina, county residence. Bărăști commune is situated in the hilly region with an altitude of up to 318 m, part of the territory between the Cotmeana and Vedea rivers, known as the Cotmeana Platform, on the line Drăgășani-Spineni-Mârghia-Pitești, which makes the transition between hill and plain. The Snake-eyed Skink is considered threatened in Romania. This rare species with a restricted and fragmented distribution is present in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, the local protection of this species being necessary through special conservation measures, such as: stopping deforestation, stopping the expansion of agricultural or residential areas in the researched area, controlling intensive grazing (there being several sheep and goat pens in the area), replacement of False Acacia and Pine plantations with Oak, supervision of stray cats and dogs, etc.