Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Fauna for wider area of: "SOUTH AEGEAN Region GREECE" .
DODEKANISSOS (Island complex) GREECE
Τhese islets, from which both human beings and land meat eaters are
absent, serve as refuges for ancient species, which have disappeared with the
passage of time from other areas. Fossil findings, which show the different evolution
of animal species on these isolated ecosystems, aren’t rare, a prime example
being the dwarf elephants of Tilos.
The many caves, crevices in the rocks, high rocky formations, and
dangerous cliffs all serve as refuges for rare species of birds such as birds
of prey, small hawks, wild pigeons, herons and cormorants. Also, due to their
geographical position, the islands are a stopover for migrating birds. Tens of
millions of these birds visit the islands each spring and autumn.
Quite surprising is the rich sea life found in the Dodecanese seas.
The rare Mediterranean seal finds refuge in the coastal caves, together with the
dolphins, turtles, many varieties of fish, molluscs and crustaceans which form
the rich ecosystem of the Dodecanese sea.
Every single island and islet is of itself a unique natural museum.
This of course favours the development of special types of tourism.
(Text: Manolis Makris)
This text (extract) is cited February 2004 from the Dodekanissos
Union of Municipalities & Communities pamphlet.
SYROS (Island) KYKLADES
The island's Fauna, as well as its Flora, does not present a great
variety. This is due to the fact that Syros is densely populated in some parts,
whereas other parts are virtually deserted.
However, the island's geographic isolation has led to the development
of typical subspecies, often unique in the world.
Thus, the herpetofauna of Syros includes 11 kinds of reptiles and
2 kinds of amphibians. The reptiles are:
- Elaphe situla (homesnake)
- Natrix natrix (water snake), endangered species
- Telescopus fallax fallax
- Vipera ammodytes meridionalis (Adder), probably the only dangerous
snake on the island
- Coluber gemonensis gyarosensis (black snake), which is unique and belongs
to the adder family.
As for the ornithofauna, the Cycladic islands are the main
"corridor" for birds migrating to and from Africa. Different kinds of rare birds
of prey are registered on Syros, such as:
- Haliaeetus albicilla (Sea eagle) globally endangered species.
- Hieraaetus pennatus (Fish hawk)
- Falco sp. (Dif. kinds of hawks)
- Circus sp. (Dif. kinds of marsh hawks)
Noteworthy is the Monachus monachus (Mediterranean seal),
frequently spotted, mostly during the spring, on different coasts of the island,
i.e. on Possidonia, Komitos
and Agathopes. In winter,
the seals occasionally venture into the harbour of Hermoupolis,
as do the dolphins, in search of food.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the University of Patras' XENIOS DIAS website URL below.
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