SPECIES OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILIANS OF LAKE OHRI WITH NOTES IN THEIR ECOLOGY Prof. Dr. Idriz Haxhiu 1 , Msc. Blerina Vrenozi 2 1 & 2 Museum of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana University e-mail: idrizhaxhiu@yahoo.com, blerinavrenozi@yahoo.com ABSTRACT There are some studies and publications (HAXHIU 1979; 1980; 1980; 1981; 1982; 1983; 1985; 1989; 1991; 1991; 1992; 1994; 1995; 1998) for amphibians and reptilians of Ohri Lake. In Ohri Lake live 8 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptilians. Some species of amphibians: Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea and Rana dalmatina use the water habitats only for reproduction and development of their larvae. After this period, these species abandon the water habitat. Whereas other species of amphibians: Triturus cristatus, Triturus vulgaris, Bombina variegata and Rana balcanica, the most of their living activity is related with water. The most appropriate habitats for amphibian’s breedings are on the shallow areas with vegetation on the lake - side. Two species of reptiles, Emys orbicularis and Natrix tesellata, are more related with water habitats then Natrix natrix. Keywords: amphibians and reptilians, Ohri Lake Introduction This paper presents some data for amphibians and reptilians on the lake – side Ohri, on their distribution, biological and ecological aspects collected during extensive field work. Most of the studies and publications for amphibians and reptilians of Albania are made after the year 1975 (Haxhiu, 1979, 1980, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998), with only one previous publication (Zeko & Puzanov 1960). There are some short reports by foreigner authors (De Fejervary 1923; Calabresi 1932; Frommhold 1959; Bruno 1988, 1989) and other conclusions about the situation in Albania are been drawn from the material deposited in museums (Kopstein & Wettstein 1921; Gayda 1940; Cei 1943). Until now there aren’t any special publications over amphibians and reptilians on Ohri Lake, but they are cited partially in the above-mentioned publications. In this paper are given the results of more than 35 years of observations in many of lake – side habitats of Ohri, with order to document information on the species of amphibians and reptiles distributed in this ecosystem. Amphibians and reptilians as an important part of food chains are both prey and predators, playing a principal role in maintaining the nature balance. During recent 20 years, antropogen interventions throughout a large number of buildings and roads along the lake - side of Ohri, have destroyed many characteristics biotopes of these species. Material and methods This report is based on field observation made time after time during the years 1976-2009 in the course of some expeditions in lake- side Ohri. During these field observations of lake- side Ohri, from the shallow water to hilly regions a number of specimens of amphibians and reptilians have been collected. Also for many species of amphibians and reptilians there are studied some aspects related with biological, ecological and ethological features. In these expeditions, we have taken detailed notes in the field about the biotope of amphibians and reptilians and for their population status and conservation problems in Ohri Lake.