species diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in nature park "sinite kamani" in stara planina mt. (bulgaria)

The current study presents briefly the species composition and distribution of the amphibians and reptiles in the Nature Park "Sinite Kamani" in Stara Planina Mnt. Bulgaria, based on a 2×2 km UTM grid. Between 2012 and 2014, we identified total 20 species (7 amphibians and 13 reptiles). We documented three new amphibian species for the region (Hyla arborea, Rana dalmatina and Rana graeca, which is discovered for the area for the first time) and three species of reptiles (Testudo hermanni, Ablepharus kitaibelii and Lacerta trilienata). The contemporary conservation status for each species is presented and conservation threats and problems, specific for the park are discussed.