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Recently, the Albanian Government started the process to join the European Union. This process also involves matching the EU parameters in protecting its biodiversity. In order to support the Albanian authorities, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Directorate for Development Cooperation (DGCS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) joined efforts in the project “Institutional Support to the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation and Use in Protected Areas”. This project aims at identifying priority needs in safeguarding ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Another project funded by the EU – “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” – started in 2015 with the aim to raise awareness for assisting local and national Albanian institutions to better exploit the potential of protected areas. One of the main issues encountered during these projects was the need for a national biodiversity data repository. The Biodiversity National Network of Albania (BioNNA) has been created to aggregate occurrence records of plants and animals and aims at becoming the most relevant source of information for biodiversity data as far as Albania is concerned. In this paper, the authors detail structure and data of BioNNA, including the process of data gathering and aggregation, taxonomic coverage, software details and WebGIS development. BioNNA is a milestone on the path towards Albania’s inclusion in the EU and has also a relevant potential social relevance for improving people’s awareness on the importance of biodiversity in the country.

In this paper new records are reported for 23 species of small terrestrial mammals (STM) of Albania collected during the field work campaigns organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” (NaturAL) in Albania during the summer and autumn of 2016 and 2017 Data on small mammals were primarily collected through Sherman live-trapping campaigns in six high priority protected areas of Albania: Korab-Koritnik, Bredhi i Hotovës, Tomorri, Llogara-Karaburun, Divjakë-Karavasta, Liqeni i Shkodrës (Skadar lake), Lëpushë-Vermosh. Other data were obtained by analysis of owl pellets or by direct observation of individuals (dead or alive) in the field. For 21 species Erinaceus roumanicus, Neomys anomalus, Crocidura suaveolens, Crocidura leucodon, Suncus etruscus, Talpa stankovici/caeca, Myocastor coypus, Sciurus vulgaris, Glis glis, Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Microtus levis/arvalis, Microtus subterraneus, Microtus thomasi, Microtus felteni, Myodes glareolus, Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus epimelas, Mus musculus, and Mus macedonicus additional records are provide and their distributions reviewed, while the presence of two new species of shrews (Sorex araneus and Sorex minutus) for Albania is reported for the first time. A comprehensive review of the published and unpublished distribution records of STM species of the country is made, together with an updated checklist and distribution maps of the species.

In this study was monitored the population of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the area of Narta Lagoon, Vlora Bay (Albania), from August to October 2014. A total of 54 individuals of E. orbicularis were studied using different methodologies. Curved Carapace Length (CCL), Plastron Length (PL) and Curved Carapace Width (CCW) were measured for each individual of E. orbicularis and were statistically analyzed. All captured turtles were separated in seven different size – classes based on their carapace length (CCL). Each individual of E. orbicularis was marked by notching the carapace (marginal scutes). Form all individuals captured resulted that 37 were females (68.5%), 14 males (25.9%), 3 juveniles (5.5%), while 18 individuals of E. orbicularis were recaptured for the first and some for the second time., {"references":["Fritz, U. (2001): Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) –\neuropäischesumpfschildkröte; pp. 343-515. In: FRITZ, U. (ed.):\nHandbuch der Reptilien und Am - phibieneuropas, band 3/IIIA:\nschildkröten I, Wiebels -heim (Aula).","Fritz, U. (2003): die europäischesumpf - schildkröte. bielefeld\n(Laurenti), 224 pp.","Gibbons, J. W. (1990): Turtle studies at SREL: a research perspective;\npp. 19–44. In: GIbboNs j. W. (ed.): Life history and ecology of the slider\nTurtle.Washington, d.C. (smithsonian Institution Press).","Gibbons, J. W. & Scott, D. E. & Ryan, T. J. &Buhlmann, K. A.\n&Tuberville, T. D. &Metts, B. S. & Greene, J. L. & Mills, T. & Leiden,\nY. & Poppy, S. &Winne, C. T. (2000): The global decline of reptiles,\ndéjà vu amphibians.– bioscience, Washington; 50: 653-666.","Haxhiu I. (1981): Emërime popullore të zvarranikëve. BSHF No 4.\nTiranë.","Haxhiu I. (1985): Rezultate të studimit të breshkave të Shqipërisë.\nBSHN No 2. Tiranë.","Haxhiu I. (1995): Results of studies on the Chelonians of Albania and\ncurrent data on the Chelonians of Albania Vol. 1, no 4. Journal of the\nIUCN/SSC.","Haxhiu I. (1997): Përcaktuesi I zvarranikëve të Shqipërisë. UT.","Haxhiu I.(1998): The Reptiles of Albania: Species compositions,\ndistribution, habitats. Bonn.,zoolZool. Beitz. Vol. 48:. S 35-37.\n[10] HaxhiuI.,&Buskirk J. (2000): Data on the habitats of Emys orbicularis\n(Fam. Emydidae) in Albania. Proceedings of, 2nd International\nSymposium on Emys orbicularis, Chelonii 2 (Spt. 2000), Editions\nSoptom: Pp.37-40.\n[11] Haxhiu I., Buskirk J. (2009): The European pond turtle in Albania.\nFrankfurt am Main: 1-202.\n[12] IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (2010): IUCN\nRed List of Threatened species.WWWdocument (last accessed: 02\nFebuary2011).\n[13] Red Book of Albanian Fauna, 2006.\n[14] Rifai L.B., Amr Z.S. (2004): Morphometrics and biology of the stripednecked\nterrapin, Mauremysrivulata (Valenciennes, 1833), in Jordan\n(Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae). ZoologischeAbhandlungen 54:\n177-197.\n[15] Servan, J. (1995): Emys orbicularis in France; pp: 183–190. In:\nBallasiana, D. (ed.): Red data book on Mediterranean Chelonians.\nBologna, Italy (edagricole).\n[16] Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, (1996): Emys\norbicularis. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened species.\nversion 2010.4. www document < www.iucnredlist.org > (last ac -\ncessed: 02 Febuary 2011).\n[17] Turtle Conservation Fund (Buhlmann, K. A. & Hudson, R. &Rhodin, A.\nG. j., (eds.)) (2002): Aglobal action plan for conservation of tortoises\nandfreshwater turtles: strategy and funding prospectus2002–2007\npresented by the Turtle Conservation Fund.Washington dC\n(Conservation International and Chelonian Research Foundation), pp.\n30.\n[18] Van Dijk, P. P. &Stuart, B. L. & Rhodin, A. G. J. (eds.)(2000): Asian\nturtle trade: Proceedings of aworkshop on conservation and trade of\nfreshwater turtlesand tortoises in Asia; pp: 164. Chelonian Research\nMonographs No 2. Lunenburg (Maine ChelonianResearch Foundation)."]}

This study was conducted in the area of Vlora Bay, Albania. Data about Sea Turtles Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, belonging to two periods of time (1984 – 1991; 2008 – 2014) are given. All data gathered were analyzed using recent methodologies. For all turtles captured (as by catch), the Curve Carapace Length (CCL) and Curved Carapace Width (CCW) were measured. These data were statistically analyzed, where the mean was 67.11 cm for CCL and 57.57 cm for CCW of all individuals studied (n=13). All untagged individuals of marine turtles were tagged using metallic tags (Stockbrand’s titanium tag) with an Albanian address. Sex was determined and resulted that 45.4% of individuals were females, 27.3% males and 27.3% juveniles. All turtles were studied for the presence of the epibionts. The area of Vlora Bay is used from marine turtles (Caretta caretta) as a migratory corridor to pass from Mediterranean to the northern part of the Adriatic Sea., {"references":["Dumani N., (2012):Studimi mbi burimet ndotëse të ujërave të Vlorës.\nBuletini Shkencor I Universitetit të Vlorës. Nr. 1/Volum 1- 2013.","Fromhold, E. 1959: AlsTiergartner und Herpetologe in Albanien. Aquar.\nTerrar. 6: 115-118, 144-147, 170-182, 214-217.","Gasc, J. – P., et al., 1997. Atlas of Amfibians and Reptiles in Europe.\nSEH, MNH, Paris: 494pp.","Gerosa, G. 1996: Manual on marine turtle tagging in the Mediterranean.","Haxhiu, I. 1981: Emërime popullore të zvarranikëve. BSHF No 4.\nTiranë.","Haxhiu, I. 1985: Rezultate të studimit të breshkave të Shqipërisë. BSHN\nNo 2. Tiranë.","Haxhiu, I. 1995: Results of studies on the Chelonians of Albania and\ncurrent data on the Chelonians of Albania Vol. 1, no 4. Journal of the\nIUCN/SSC.","Haxhiu, I. 1997: Përcaktuesi i zvarranikëve të Shqipërisë. UT.","Haxhiu, I.1998: The Reptiles of Albania: Species compositions,\ndistribution, habitats. Bonn, zool. Beitz. Vol 48. S 35-37.\n[10] Haxhiu I, Rumano M (2005): Conservation project of sea turtles in\nPatok, Albania.Proceedings Second Mediterranean Conference on\nMarine Turtles, Kemer, 2005. pp. 87-90. [11] Haxhiu, I., (2010) Albania Pp. 5-28 in Casale, P. D. Magritoulis (Eds)\n2010. Sea turtles in the Mediterranean: Distribution, threats conservation\npriorities. Gland, Swizerland: IUCN. 296.\n[12] Mrosovsky, N. 1983. Conserving sea turtles. British Herpetological\nSociety. 176 p.\n[13] Oliverio, M., Gerosa, G. and Cocco, M. (1992). First record of\nPinctadaradiata (Bivalvia, Pteriidae) epibiont on the loggerhead sea\nturtle Carettacaretta (Chelonia, Cheloniidae). Boll. Malacol. 28:149-152.\n[14] Suggett DJ, Houghton JDR (1998) Possible link between sea turtle\nbycatch and flipper tagging in Greece. Marine Turtle Newsletter 81:\n10‐11.\n[15] Tursi, A.; Corselli, C.; Bushati, S., and Beqiraj, S., 2011.Coastal\nResearch in Albania: Vlora Gulf, Journal of Coastal Research, Special\nIssue No. 58, pp. 1-5. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.\n[16] White, M. (2006) Photo‐recognition: a technique used to identify\nindividual loggerhead turtles in the marine environment. In: Frick, M.,\nA. Panagopoulou, A.F. Rees and K. Williams (Eds.), Book of Abstracts.\nTwenty‐Sixth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and\nConservation. International Sea Turtle Society, Crete, Greece. 376pp.\n[17] White M, Kararaj E, Mitro M., Petri L, Saçdanaku E, Trezhnjevna B,\nBoura L, Grimanis K, Robinson P, Venizelos L (2011) Monitoring and\nConservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok\nArea of Albania. 2008-2010 Final Report\n[18] White, M., Boura, L., Grimanis, K., Venizelos, L., Janar 2012 (Action\nPlan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitats in Albania,\nwww.medasset.org).\n[19] Zeko I, Puzanoi V (1960): Njebreshkeoqeanike ne bregdetin tone (An\noceanic turtle in our seaside). Buletini I ShkencaveNatyrore(Bulletin of\nNatural Sciences) 4: 145-146."]}

This study aims to provide for the first time information about morphometrics, habitats, population structure and biology of the Balkan Terrapin, Mauremys rivulata in the understudied area of Vlora Bay, Albania. Two main different habitats, freshwater channels (several channels in different areas) and ponds or swamps (two ponds in different areas) were monitored from March 2013 to October 2015. A high number of M. rivulata were observed basking in or out of the water, while 46 were captured for the first time. All individuals of M. rivulata captured were measured (length and width of carapace and plastron), marked (on marginal scutes), photographed and released again in the same habitat. Mean curved carapacial length was 18.1 cm for adult male (n=6), 19.1 cm for adult female (n=17) and 6.2 cm for juvenile (n=23). Sex ratio was 2.8 : 1 (female : male). 50% of all captured M. rivulata were juveniles.