OBSERVATIONS ON THE HERPETOFAUNA OF THE GIURGIU COUNTY (ROMANIA) ALEXANDRU IFTIME, OANA IFTIME Abstract. The results of faunistical and multi-year abundance surveys of the herpetofauna in the Giurgiu county (Romania) are presented here; we have identified 11 amphibian species and 12 reptile species, with new records for many of these. We note that most species were relatively stable in their abundance between 2000 and 2005/2006; a decline was, however, noted in some species, notably in the widespread and relatively common Lacerta agilis. Résumé. On présente les résultats des études faunistiques et concernant l’abondance multiannuelle des amphibiens et des reptiles du département de Giurgiu (Roumanie); on y a identifié 11 espèces d’amphibiens et 12 espèces de reptiles, mentionnant de nouvelles localités pour bon nombre de ces espèces. On note que la plupart des populations y maintiennent leur abondance entre les années 2000 et 2005/2006; on remarque, cependant, un déclin chez quelques espèces, notamment chez l’espèce largement répandue et relativement commune Lacerta agilis. Key words: Giurgiu county, amphibians, reptiles, distribution, multi-year, abundance, decline. INTRODUCTION Although geographically close to the capital of Romania, Giurgiu county remains quite sparsely and inequally investigated in terms of the distribution of its herpetofauna. While the Danube floodplain sector of the Giurgiu county was discussed in detail by Török (2001) and Iftime (2005 a), ther rest of the county is less well studied. The amphibians are better known with the records of Fuhn (1960) and Cogãlniceanu et al. (2000), this last integrating previous data but also significant original data (unfortunately only given in UTM squares, without precise localities), and those of Burlacu et al. (2004) from Comana, which, however, admit imprecision in the determination of Rana (Pelophylax) spp. For the reptiles, practically all records to-date, except two for Podarcis taurica (Cruce, 1972) are from the greater Comana area: Fuhn & Vancea (1961), Matei (2003), Burlacu et al. (2004). In this study we try to give some more precise data for the distribution of the amphibian and reptile species, as well as present some observations pertaining to the abundance and multi-year trends of some populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS This paper is based upon field work performed from 2000 to 2008, with field trips realized each year between March and September in a variety of points that can be grouped into 16 localities or study areas: Corbii Ciungi; Gãiseni forest; Malu Spart - Cãscioarele forest; Bucºani; Milcovãþu; Clejani; Zãdãriciu; Ghimpaþi; Stâlpu; Iepureºti; Naipu; Schitu; Cãlugãreni forest and wetlands; Mihai Bravu; Comana – Padina Tãtarului forest and wetlands; Mogoºeºti; Grãdiºtea; Frasinu forest. Qualitative observations were undertaken in most locations, but in selected sites quantitative observations were made using the active transects method, Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle «Grigore Antipa» Vol. LI pp. 209–218 © Novembre 2008