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Once widespread throughout the Black and Mediterranean Seas and the coasts of north Africa, the Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus has disappeared throughout most of its original range. In Cyprus evidence suggests that the species became effectively extinct at the end of the 20th century. Following an increase of seal sightings around the island, a monitoring programme was established in 2009 to evaluate the status of the species. During 2009–2018, using field surveys, photographs from camera traps and an information network, we recorded an increasing number of seal sightings, and the birth of several pups, indicating the permanent presence of the species on the island. This is the first recorded re-establishment of a Mediterranean monk seal population in an area of its former range following near eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cyprus whip snake (Hierophis cypriensis Schatti, 1985) is endemic to Cyprus and occurs in forested regions of the Troodos Range in the central part of the island, but surprisingly, has not been reported from such areas in the Kyrenia Range of northern Cyprus. Here, we provide the first comprehensive GPS-based assessment of the distribution of this endangered snake in Cyprus. We use species distribution modelling to demonstrate that areas with suitable habitat for the Cyprus whip snake are largely limited to the Troodos Range. The Kyrenia Range contains only a few grid cells of medium habitat suitability according to the environmental parameters assessed. The Mesaoria Plain, which lies between the two mountain ranges, likely functions as an ecological barrier with unsuitable habitat conditions. Consistent with this pattern of distribution, we hypothesise that this species was restricted to the Troodos Range during the early phases of speciation. Adaptation to environmental conditions in the Troodos Range may have prevented subsequent range extension to other ecological niches when the rest of the island emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the unusual feeding behavior of water frogs in the Mediterranean Island. It states that the Pelophylax bedriagae of water frog have adopted different ways of feeding pattern especially on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. It also notes that the predation of animals are prohibited on terrestrial vertebrates.