In 2011 I graduate at Faculty of Biology from "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University whith B.Sc. thesis about ecology, morphology and sistematics of some newt species from Romania (Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Triturus cristatus and Triturus dobrogicus) and a part of my results are already published (see the list from bellow). Besides newts I also modelling the habitat suitability and preferences of V. ursinii (especially on ssp. moldavica) and some lacertid species from Romania.

Also, I studying the ecology of snake-yed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)and I'm involved in a project to study the phylogeography of Ablepharus kitaibelii and Podarcis tauricus from Balkan Peninsula and adiajent counties.

Currently I begin to study macroecology and evolution of amphibian and reptile species using Ecological Niche Models (ENM)...and I will keep in touch you about my results (they will appear in the list from bellow)...

If you whant to contact me feel free to do it on my email:

 iuliangherghel [at] gmail.com or on

Here you can find....

in press articles:

1. Strugariu A., Zamfirescu S.R., Gherghel I., Sahlean T.C. (2011): Unusual early parturition in temperate region viviparous snakes during the atypically hot summer of 2007. Herpetologica Romanica
2. Gherghel I., Strugariu A., Ambrosa I.M., Zamfirescu S.R. (2012): Updated distribution of hybrids between Lissotriton vulgaris and Lissotriton montandoni (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae) in Romania. Acta Herpetologica

and my pulished papers :

1. Zamfirescu S.R., Strugariu A., Gherghel I., Zamfirescu O. (2011): Human impact on habitats of the meadow viper (Vipera ursinii) in Eastern Romania. Analele Stiintifice ale Universitatii " Alexandru Ioan Cuza" din Iasi, Serie Noua, Sectiunea I, Biologie Animala 57: 43-56.
2. Gherghel, I. (2011): Opinion: Why museum collections and herbariums databases need to be widely available over the internet. Analele Stiintifice ale Universitatii " Alexandru Ioan Cuza" din Iasi, Serie Noua, Sectiunea I, Biologie Animala 57: 201-204.
3. Gherghel I., Strugariu A., Sahlean T., Stefanescu A. (2011): New distribution record for Darevskia praticola pontica (Lantz & Cyrén, 1919) at its north-western range limit. Herpetozoa 23 (3/4): 91-93.  (pdf available on email request) (IF: 0.659)
4. Strugariu A., Zamfirescu, R.S., Gherghel I., Sahlean T.C., Moraru V., Zamfirescu O. (2011): A preliminary study on population characteristics and ecology of the critically endangered meadow viper Vipera ursinii in the Romanian Danube Delta. Biologia 66 (1): 175-180. DOI: 10.2478/s11756-010-0146-z  (pdf available on email request) (IF: 0.617)
5. Gherghel I.,Strugariu A., Ghira I. (2010): On the presence of paedomorphosis in Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from Danube Delta. Herpetologica Romanica, vol 4: 62-64.
6. Zamfirescu S.R., Strugariu A., Gherghel I., Zamfirescu O., (2010): Sfantu Gheorghe (Tulcea, Romania): an important herpetological area. Analele Universitatii "Al. I. Cuza" din Iasi, Seria Biologie Animala, Vol. 56 : 155-163.
7. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I., Nicoară, A., Hutuleac-Volosciuc, M.V., Moraru, V., Mizerus, A.(2009): A rapid survey of the herpetological fauna from Vaslui County(Romania) with the first record of the slow-worm(Anguis fragilis) in the region. Herpetologica Romanica 3: 25-30.
8. Gherghel, I., Strugariu, A.(2009): Further evidence of phenotypic plasticity in the sand lizard: the “erythronotus” colour morph in the pontic sand lizard(Lacerta agilis euxinica). Herpetologica Romanica 3:77-79.
9. Gherghel, I., Strugariu, A., Zamfirescu, Ș.(2009): Using maximum entropy to predict the distribution of a critically endangered reptile species(Eryx jaculus, Reptilia: Boidae) at its Northern range limit. AES Bioflux 1(2):65-71.
10. Ghiurcă, D., Gherghel, I., Rosu G.(2009): Contribution to knowledge of the distribution of herpetofauna in Tarcău Mountains (Romania). AES Bioflux 1(2):73-79.
11. Strugariu, A., Zamfirescu, S.R., Gherghel.(2009): First record of the adder(Vipera berus berus) in Argeş County(Southern Romania). Biharean Biologist 3(2): 163-166.
12. Strugariu, A., Sos, T., Sotek, A., Gherghel, I., Hegyeli, Z.(2009): New locality records for the adder(Vipera berus) in the Carpathian Corner, Romania. AES Bioflux 1(2): 99-103.
13. Gherghel, I., Strugariu, A., Sahlean, T.C., Zamfirescu, O.(2009): Anthropogenic impact or anthropogenic accommodation? Distribution range expansion of the common wall lizard(Podarcis muralis) by means of artificial habitats in the north-eastern limits of its distribution range. Acta Herpetologica 4(2): 183-189.(IF: 0.488)
14. Zamfirescu, R.S., Zamfirescu, O., Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I.(2009): Herpetofauna of the meadows from the site of community interest “The forest and the meadows from Mârzeşti”(Iaşi, Romania) and notes of habitats. Analele Universitatii "Al. I. Cuza" din Iasi, Seria Biologie Animala, Vol. 55 : 155-163.
15. Gherghel, I., Iftime, A.(2009): On a record of largest specimen of Triturus dobrogicus(Kiritzescu 1903) from the Danube Delta, Romanica. Biharean Biologist 3(1): 83-85.
16. Gherghel, I., Iftime, A.(2009): On the presence of the Danube crested newt, Triturus dobrogicus, at Durankulak Lake, Bulgaria. North-Western Journal of Zoology 5(1): 209-213. (indexată  SCI-E)(IF=0.817)
17. Strugariu, A., Sos, T., Gherghel, I., Ghira, I., Sahlean T.C., Puscasu, C.M., Hutuleac-Volosciuc, M.V.(2008): Distribution and current status of the herpetofauna from the Northern Macin Mountains area(Tulcea County, Romania). Analele Universitatii "Al. I. Cuza" din Iasi, Seria Biologie Animala, Vol. 54 : 191-206.
18. Strugariu, A., Zamfirescu, S.R., Nicoara, A., Gherghel, I., Sas, I.,  Puscasu, C.M., Bugeac, T.(2008): Preliminary data regarding the distribution and status of the herpetofauna in Iasi  County(Romania). North-Western Journal of Zoology. vol. 4(Suppl. 1): S1-S23. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
19. Covaciu-Marcov, S.D., Cicort-Lucaciu, A.S., Sas,I., Strugariu, A., Cacuci, P.  & Gherghel, I.(2008): Contributions to the knowledge regarding the composition and geographical distribution of the herpetofauna from Northern Moldavia(Suceava and Botosani Counties, Romania). North-Western Journal of Zoology. vol. 4(Suppl. 1): S25-S47. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
20. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I.(2008): A preliminary report on the composition and distribution of the herpetofauna in the Lower Prut River Basin(Romania). North-Western Journal of Zoology. vol. 4(Suppl. 1):  S49-S69. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
21. Gherghel,I., Strugariu, A., Ghiurca, D., Cicort-Lucaciu, A.S(2008):  The herpetofauna from the Bistrita river basin(Romania): geographical distribution. North-Western Journal of Zoology. vol. 4(Suppl. 1): S71-S103. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
22. Strugariu A., Butnaru A., Gherghel I., Sahlaean T.(2008): First record of the Smooth Snake(Coronella austriaca Laurentus, 1768) in Botoşani County(Romania), Biharean Biologist, Vol. 2, pp. 64-67.
23. Iftime, A., Gherghel, I., Ghiurca, D.(2008): Contribution to the knowlodge on the herpetofauna of Bacau county(Romania). Travaux du Museum National d’Historie Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”, vol. 51: 243-253.
24. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I., Zamfirescu, S.R., Sahlean, T.(2008): Spatial distribution on the herpetofauna from the upper and middle Moldova hydrographic basin. Travaux du Museum National d’Historie Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”, vol. 51: 231-241.
25. Gherghel, I., Strugariu, A., Pricop, E., Zamfirescu, S.R.(2008): The Northen Gosmani Mountains(Romania): An Important Herpetofaunal Area requiring urgent protection. Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 2: 51-54.
26. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I., Zamfirescu, S.R.(2008): Conquering new ground: On the presence of Podarcis muralis(Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. Herpetologica Romanica, vol.2: 47-50.
27. Sahlean, T., Strugariu, A., Zamfirescu, S.R., Pavel, A.G., Puscasu, C.M., Gherghel, I.,(2008): A herpetological hotspot in peril: Anthropogenic impact upon the amphibian and reptile populations from the Băile Herculane tourist resort, Romania. Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 2: 37-46.
28. Ghiurca, D., Gherghel, I.(2008): Aspects concerning the herpetofauna in the city of Bacău(România): urban and peri-urban environments, Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 2: 13-19.
29. Gherghel,I., Strugariu, Al., Glăvan, T.(2007): Eremias arguta deserti(Reptilia: Lacertidae): is not extinct from Romanian Moldavia. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 3 (2): 115-120. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
30. Strugariu A., Gherghel I.,(2007):  New record on the occurance Dolichophis caspius(Reptilia:Colubridae) in Romanian Moldavia. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 3(1): 57-61. (indexată  SCI-E) (IF=0.817)
31. Gherghel, I., Strugariu, A.(2007): Antropogenic impact upon the herpetofauna and the lake system from future natural reserve from "Faurei Swamp"(Neamt County, Romania). Analele Universitatii "Al. I. Cuza" din Iasi, Seria Biologie Animala, vol. 53: 175-179.
32. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I., Puscasu, C-M., Sahlean, T.C.(2007): The current status of the herpetofauna and the Important Herpetofaunal Areas from Suceava County(Romania). Analele Universitatii "Al. I. Cuza" din Iasi, Seria Biologie Animala, vol. 53:167-174
33. Strugariu, A., Huţuleac-Volosciuc M. V., Puşcaşu M. Cr., Sahlean T. C., Gherghel I.(2007): Preliminary aspects concerning the herpetofauna from urban and peri-urban environments from North-Eastern Romania: A case study in the city of Suceava. Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 1: 31-43.
34. Ghiurcă, D., Gherghel I.(2007): Research upon the hybridization areas between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata in the middle Siret River basin(Bacău and Neamţ Counties, Romania). Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 1: 45-52.
35. Gherghel, I., Strugariu Al., Ghiurcă D., Roşu S., Huţuleac-Volosciuc M. V.(2007): The composition and distribution of the herpetofauna from the Valea Neagra river basin(Neamţ County, Romania). Herpetologica Romanica, vol. 1: 70-76.
36. Gherghel, I., Ile, R.D.(2006): Contributions to the distribution of Amphibia, Caudata in Neamţ County, Romania. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 2(1): 44-46.
37. Strugariu, A., Gherghel, I., Hutuleac Volosciuc, M.V., Sahlean, T.C, Sas, I., Puscasu, C.M.(2006): Preliminary data concerning the distribution of amphibian fauna in Suceava county(Romania), Analele Universitatii Oradea, Fascicola Biologie, Tomul 13: 39-47.
38. Strugariu, A., Sahlean, T.C., Hutuleac Volosciuc, M.V., Sas, I., Puscasu, C.M., Gherghel, I.  (2006): Contributions to the study of the herpetofauna from the Suceava river basin(Suceava county, Romania). Studii si Comunicari, Complexul Muzeal de Stiinte ale Naturii „Ion Borcea” Bacau, vol. 21: 437-446.
39. Ghiurcă, D., Roşu, S., Gherghel, I.(2005): Preliminary data concerning the herpetofauna in Neamţ County(Romania). Analele Universitatii Oradea, Fascicola Biologie, Tomul 12: 53 – 62.
40. Ghiurcă, D., Zaharia, L., Gherghel, I.(2005): Data regarding the trophic spectrum of one population of Bombina variegata from Piatra Neamt(Neamt County), Studii si Cercetari, Biologie 9: 141 –144.