DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES TARGETED BY THE PROJECT:
Lynx lynx – lynx – it is the largest wild feline in Europe, with quite limited number of specimens due to the growing loss of wildlife areas that are indispensable to the species. It can reach 80-130 cm from the top of the snout to the base of the tail, 60-75 cm height at the withers and up to 38 kg in weight. Its color is orange, with black spots, the ears are large and have a black hairpin on the top and the tail is short, with a black tip.
Ursus arctos – brown bear – it is Europe’s largest terrestrial carnivore, adults reaching 150-250 cm from the top of the snout to the base of the tail and a weight up to 250 kg for males. It is a solitary species, except for the periods of mating and raising the cubs. The brown bear is also a priority species.
Canis lupus – wolf – it is a priority species within the European Union and one of the most effective predators. The fur of the wolf is gray-yellow, with large black spots on the back and tail. It is a large carnivore, similar to a domestic dog, hunting solitary or in a pack. Its prey consists in cervids, rabbits, boars, rodents and sometimes domestic animals.
Bombina variegata – yellow-bellied toad – it is a small amphibian species (up to 5 cm), living near streams and rivers, mainly using small temporary ponds that form in their floodplain area. The skin on the back is rich in glands with venom and the belly is black or gray-blue, with large yellow spots. On the European territory, due to the modification and loss of habitats, this species is increasingly rare.
Triturus cristatus – great crested newt – it is Europe’s largest species of newt and also the most threatened one. It needs large ponds, with submerged vegetation for protection. The species color is dark brown to black on the back and yellow with black spots on the belly, with white spots on the sides. The sexual dimorphism of this newt consists in the male’s large dorsal crest, extending from the occipital area to the tip of the tail, missing only in the lumbar region.
Lissotriton (Triturus) montandoni – Carpathian newt – it is an endemic newt for the Eastern Carpathians and the eastern part of Southern Carpathians, it prefers permanent or temporary ponds, clean and cold streams, pools and flowing streams, at altitudes between 500 and 2.000 m. Its color is mainly green, with darker spots on the head and along the body. The species has sexual dimorphism, the males having a small crest and two lateral edges.
Rosalia alpina – Alpine longhorn beetle – it is a large insect, 15-38 mm long, elongated, gray-blue, with black spots on the sheaths and long antennae, which can exceed the length of the body and reach 50-55 mm. The life cycle lasts 2-3 years, the female lays eggs in spring in the bark of the trees. Larvae grow in the trunk. They prefer beech, but also grow in willow, hornbeam, oak, holm, even apple. Adults are active during sunny days, but can also appear in the twilight. They prefer dry and sunny old forests (with trunk diameter over 20 cm).
Cottus gobio – bullhead – it is a species that lives in mountain rivers and streams. It feeds on invertebrates, spawn and fish eggs (it is a bentofag predator). It often lies under the stones. Its size is small (8-10 cm), with a massive head and the mouth at the top of the trunk. It has two uneven dorsal fins, joined by a bridge. It has no scales and the characteristic color is olive brown, with darker spots. It is an indicator of water quality.
