Natrix maura ( Linnaeus, 1758:219 )

Bauer, Aaron M., DeBoer, Jonathan C. & Taylor, Dylan J., 2017, Atlas of the Reptiles of Libya, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64 (8), pp. 155-318 : 246-247

Natrix maura ( Linnaeus, 1758:219)

1758 Coluber maurus Linnaeus , Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae [Stockholm], Sweden, (4) + 823 + (I) pp.

LECTOTYPE.— NRM Lin-214, designated by Wallach et al. (2014), lost fide Kramer and Schnurrenberg- er (1963), “Algeriae.”

Natrix maura, Kramer and Schnurrenberger 1963:513 .

Natrix maura, Le Berre 1989:276 .

Natrix maura, Schleich, Kästle, and Kabisch

1996:505.

Natrix maura, Sindaco, Venchi, and Grieco

2013:153.

DISTRIBUTION.— Western Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula through France and northwestern Italy and North Africa from southern Morocco to northern Tripolitania,

Libya. Introduced in the Balearic Islands

(Guicking et. al. 2006, 2008) and Sardinia

( Schätti 1999).

Libyan Records (Map 52): TRIPOLITA-

NIA: ZAWIYAH: 17: BMNH 1955.1.8. 94–96;

Kramer and Schnurrenberger 1963. 23: BMNH

1954.1.7. 26; Kramer and Schnurrenberger

1963. TRIPOLI: 45: Scortecci 1938, 1939. MAP 52. Distribution of Natrix maura in Libya.

MURQUB: 70: Scortecci 1938, 1939. MISRATAH: 83: MSNM [no specific number given]; SK 2777; Kramer and Schnurrenberger 1963.

COMMENTS.— Recent molecular work on N. maura has shown multiple independent migrations from Europe into northern Africa ( Barata et al. 2007). The status of this species in Libya is poorly known and confirmation of its distribution and conservation status should be priorities.

IUCN THREAT STATUS.— Least Concern.