Nature in Corsica
Corsica harbors one of the best preserved natural environment in the Mediterranean range, with in particular large stretches of nearly undisturbed coast. The beautiful mountain range that crosses the island reaches 2700 m of altitude. Many original species of plants and animals can be found there, some of which are endemic.
This page treats separately the coast and the mountains.
The coast
The coast near Campomoro (Sartène, Corse-du-sud). This area free of seaside roads, one of the wildest in Corsica, can be discovered thanks to a beautiful coastal path.
La Punta di Scalonu (Sartène, Corse-du-sud). The granitic rocks of the coast are eroded under the action of wind and salt, forming amazing shapes.
The dinosaur of Roccapina (Sartène, Corse-du-sud).
Dune and coastal pond (Sartène, Corse-du-sud). These rich and fragile environments, which have often been annihilated on the mainland, are still well represented in Corsica. The dunes are home to a rare flora, such as Anchusa crispa. Coastal ponds support a diverse fauna and rare species including Lestes macrostigma, and play an important role in bird migration : in the background of this photo taken in April, three glossy ibises (Plegadis falcinellus) can be seen feeding.
Wind-swept vegetation near Murtoli (Sartène, Corse-du-sud). Hundred-year-old Phoenicean junipers (Juniperus phoenicea) are found along the coast. The grassy spots between the rocks harbor uncommon plants such as Requien's romulea (Romulea requienii), the Corsican evax (Filago tyrrhenica) and Spergularia macrorrhiza.
Flora
The species illustrated here are grouped by families, shown in alphabetical order. The definition of families follows that of the APG IV classification (2016).
Family: Amaryllidaceae
The Illyrian sea lily (Pancratium illyricum). This beautiful sea lily is easily recognizable by its large white flowers. It grows in rock cracks along the coast. This plant is found only in Corsica, Sardinia and in the Tuscan archipelago.
The rose snowflake (Acis rosea). This delicate little plant flowers in autumn (October-November). It is found on sandy soils, in rock crevices but also in grasslands by the sea. It is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Acis longifolia. Unlike the previous species, this snowflake blooms in spring. It is found in rock crevices from sea level up to 1500 m altitude. Strictly endemic to Corsica, it is fully protected in France.
Family: Apiaceae
The sea holly (Eryngium maritimum). This beautiful plant with its glaucous foliage grows on the sand of maritime dunes. It can be found along most of the French coastline. It is protected in several regions.
Family: Araceae
The painted arum (Arum pictum). This late flowering arum (October-November) grows in rocky areas near the coast in the south of the island. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands and Capraia.
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Aristolochia rotunda subsp. insularis. This subspecies of the round-leaved birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda) differs from the rotunda subspecies found in mainland France in that its rhizome is cylindrical rather than spherical. It can be found here and there on the island, here in a riparian forest.
Aristolochia sp. This aristolochia may correspond to an as yet undescribed species (according to Flora Gallica Tison & de Foucault (2014)), distinct from Aristolochia rotunda subsp. insularis by its smaller leaves (generally shorter than the flowers) with a short petiole. It also has a very different habitat, growing in shady cracks in coastal boulders in south-west Corsica.
Family: Aspleniaceae
The see spleenwort (Asplenium marinum). This nice fern has distinctive, shiny dark green leaves. It is found in shady cracks in rocks and cliffs, usually near the sea. In France, this species is rare and protected in many regions, including Corsica.
Family: Asteraceae
The Corsican evax (Filago tyrrhenica). This tiny plant forms small cushions on sandy grounds near the sea, in the area receiving sea spray. It is native to Corsica and Sardinia.
Bellium bellidiodes. This pretty daisy grows in rocky areas from sea level to mountains. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands.
The corn marigold (Coleostephus myconis). This beautiful, large species is distributed around the Mediterranean Basin. In France, it is restricted to the Côte d'Azur and Corsica. Its large, spatulate, toothed leaves are characteristic.
Centaurea napifolia. This magnificent knapweed is distributed in the western Mediterranean basin. In France, it is mainly found in Corsica in dry meadows.
Family: Boraginaceae
Anchusa crispa. This very peculiar plant grows prostrate on the sand of beaches. Is has spiny dark green leaves and deep blue small flowers, opening in April. Extremely rare in Corsica, Anchusa crispa is found only in a few beaches in the south of the island. Growing in busy sites, this endemic to Corsica and Sardinia is listed as "endangered" by the IUCN and fully protected.
Family: Brassicaceae
The three-horned stock (Matthiola tricuspidata). This nice species grows in the sand of beaches. It differs from other species of the same genus by the long, cylindrical fruit ending in three points. In France, it is found in a few places on the Mediterranean coast (where it is very rare) and in Corsica (where it is more common). This species is protected at the national level.
Family: Campanulaceae
Solenopsis laurentia. This plant with tiny blue flowers grows near temporary ponds. A circummediterranean species, it occurs in France only on the Côte d'Azur and in Corsica. It is protected in the PACA region. Solenopsis minuta, another species of the same genus also found in Corsica, is illustrated in the "Balkans" section of this website.
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Spergularia macrorrhiza. This small plant frequents sandy areas near the sea. The whole plant is covered with glandular hairs. The succulent leaves are characteristic. This species is endemic to Sardinia and Corsica, where it is protected.
Family: Cistaceae
Cistus halimifolius. Belonging to the rockrose family, this nice plant forms large silvery shrubs in the dunes behind some Corsican beaches, as well as in the Var where it is very rare. The large yellow flowers, most of the time with a purple spot at the base of each petal, are distinctive. This species is found in France and the Iberian Peninsula. It is commonly used in horticulture.
Family: Crassulaceae
Phedimus stellatus. This original stonecrop species has shiny spatulate leaves and pink or white flowers. It grows in rocky areas near the sea. Distributed in North Africa, the Balkans and Italy, its occurs in France only on the Côte d'Azur and in Corsica.
The sky stone-crop (Sedum caeruleum). The dense colonies of this beautiful stonecrop adorn Corsican cliffs with their red patches. The pale blue flowers are characteristic. This species is found in North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica.
Sedum rubens. This plant thrives in sandy seaside areas. Its red-spotted leaves are characteristic. It is found in southern Europe and much of France.
Crassula vaillantii. This curious dwarf plant grows on temporarily flooded areas in siliceous soils. With a fairly wide worldwide distribution, this species can be found here and there in France. It is on the national red list as “near-threatened”, and is protected in the PACA, Bretagne, Ile-de-France, Centre and Languedoc-Roussillon regions.
Family: Cytinaceae
The red cytinus (Cytinus ruber). This strange plant is found in garrigues below pink-flowered species of the rock-rose family (Cistus sp.), whose roots it parasites. It can sometimes be seen together with the yellow cytinus (Cytinus hypocistis, see below), which parasites white-flowered rock-roses !
The yellow cytinus (Cytinus hypocistis). This plant is a parasite of white-flowered rock-roses species, like the sage-leaved rock-rose (Cistus salviifolius) and the Montpellier cistus (Cistus monspeliensis). Both Cytinus species described here are restricted to the Mediterranean area.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
The purple spurge (Euphorbia peplis). This small spurge grows prostrate on the sand of the beaches. The stems are red and the leaves glaucous and succulent. Flowering is late (here in November). This species is found in France on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. It is fully protected in France.
Family: Fabaceae
The coastal medick (Medicago marina). This whitish plant grows prostrate on the beaches. It is found in France on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. It is protected in the Pays-de-la-Loire and Aquitaine regions.
The orange birdsfoot (Ornithopus pinnatus). This small species grows flat on the sand of the dunes. Its rolled up fruits are very characteristic. This plant is present in France especially on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. It is protected in the Pays-de-la-Loire region.
Family: Geraniaceae
The Corsican stork's-bill (Erodium corsicum). This member of the geranium family grows in coastal cliffs. The flowers are a delicate pink with purple veins, and the greyish leaves are covered with dense short hairs. This plante is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Family: Iridaceae
Requien's romulea (Romulea requienii). This small plant flowers in spring in rock cracks and sandy areas near the sea. Other romulea species occur in Corsica, such as Romulea revelieri. Requien's romulea is found only in Corsica, Sardinia and western Italy.
Family: Lamiaceae
The cat thyme (Teucrium marum). This plant grows especially in maritime rocks. When crushed, its leaves give off a characteristic pungent smell. Originally from the western Mediterranean, this species is found in France mainly in Corsica.
Family: Orchidaceae
Corsica harbors many orchid species, especially in the limestone area at the southern tip of the island, near Bonifacio. Some of these species are not observed on the continent.
The small-flowered tongue orchid (Serapias parviflora). The small-flowered tongue orchid is recognizable by its small pale flowers. It is found in olive groves, meadows, clearings in the maquis, ... It is rather common on the island, while it is rare in mainland France, and fully protected.
The heart-shaped tongue orchid (Serapias cordigera). This tongue orchid is usually very robust. It is easily identified by its large, contrasted flowers, with a dark red labellum. In Corsica, it is quite common in the maquis along the coast. In France, this Mediterranean species is found in the south-west and the extreme south-east (Var, Alpes-Maritimes and Corsica).
The tongue orchid (Serapias lingua). This is a small tongue orchid, with pink or red flowers. It usually forms dense populations, due to the efficient multiplication by bulbs. In Corsica, this species occurs in damp meadows. In France, it is distributed in the southern half of the country.
The lax-flowered orchid (Anacamptis laxiflora). This tall orchid is found in wet meadows. The folded labellum, without punctuation, is characteristic. It is not to be confused with the scarcer Anacamptis palustris, sometimes occuring in the same habitat, whose labellum is almost flat and dotted with purple. Still quite common in Corsica, the lax-flowered orchid is declining in the rest of France and protected in many regions.
Family: Orobanchaceae
Orobanche sanguinea. This member of the broomrape family is red in all its parts. It grows in sandy and rocky areas near the sea, as a parasite on the roots of Lotus cytisoides. Very rare in mainland France, this plant is fairly widespread in Corsica.
Family: Papaveraceae
The yellow horned poppy (Glaucium flavum). This magnificent poppy frequents the dunes, beaches and other sandy areas. The large yellow flowers and the long cylindrical fruits are characteristic. This species occurs in France especially along the coasts.
Family: Plantaginaceae
Plantago coronopus subsp. humilis. This subspecies of the buck's-horn plantain grows in rocky areas along the coast. it is native to Corsica, Sardinia, Italy and the Balkans.
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Limonium articulatum. The situation of the genus Limonium in Corsica seems confusing, with no less than 16 species, most of them endemic and difficult to identify. Limonium articulatum is a plant of maritime rocks characterized by an erect habit and strongly divided branches, with segments distributed in a plane. Endemic to Corsica, this species is found mainly on the western coast of the island.
The autumn buttercup (Ranunculus bullatus). This atypical buttercup, which blooms in autumn, is distinguished by a rosette of leaves flattened to the ground. The whole plant is hairy. It is found around the Mediterranean.
Lichens
Family: Parmeliaceae
Lethariella intricata. This species forms a small, much-branched bush with cylindrical branches bearing many small dark-tipped growths. It can be found on siliceous rocks or on tree trunks as in this photo. It is a very rare species in France, present in a few spots on the continent and in Corsica.
Family: Umbilicariaceae
Lasallia brigantium. This lichen is characterized by a leafy thallus covered with warts, with numerous black apothecia. It is found on shady siliceous blocks, not far from the sea. In France, this species is only present in Corsica.
Family: Roccellaceae
Roccella fuciformis. This coral-shaped lichen is found on siliceous rock faces near the sea. Unlike R. tinctoria and R. phycopsis, which grow in the same habitats, this species has flattened, non-cylindrical branches. In France, this lichen is mainly present in Brittany and Corsica.
Roccella tinctoria. This lichen forms small clumps with cylindrical, ochraceous branches. In south-west Corsica, it often grows in the shady areas of taffoni, the hollows formed by erosion in the granite blocks of the coastline. In France, this lichen is found locally in Brittany and Corsica.
Fauna
Reptiles
Family: Lacertidae
The Tyrrhenian wall lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta). This lizard is abundant on rocks and in sandy areas along the coast, but it colonizes almost every habitat including mountains. In spring, males display blue scales along their flanks. This species is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Bedriaga's rock lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae). This rather massive lizard can be recognized by its flattened body marbled with green and black. Mostly found in the mountains, it also occurs on the coast in a few rare places on the island (here near Bonifacio). This beautiful species is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia. It is classified by the IUCN as “near threatened”.
The pygmy Algyroides (Algyroides fitzingeri). This strange little lizard, endemic to Corsica and Sardinia, is often found on shadowed walls. It is relatively common near Bonifacio (Corse-du-Sud).
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
The European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea). This small, mostly nocturnal gecko inhabits rocky habitats , including old stone walls. Its distribution mainly includes islands off the coasts of France, Italy and Tunisia. This species is listed as "near threatened" by IUCN.
Amphibians
Family: Hylidae
The Sardinian tree frog (Hyla sarda). This little frog is abundant in coastal marshes, but can also be found in mountain streams, where it sometimes displays an unusual coloring. It occurs in Corsica, Sardinia, and in the Tuscan archipelago.
Family: Alytidae
The Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus). This small frog only occurs in Corsica, Sardinia, the Hyères islands and in the Tuscan archipelago. In Corsica, it ranges from sea level to 1800 m. In spring, it reproduces in small temporary ponds along the coast. It is very similar to the Corsican painted frog (Discoglossus montalentii), who is scarcer and prefers mountain streams.
The Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus). Young individual.
The Corsican painted frog (Discoglossus montalentii). This young individual shows the rounded snout typical of the species. It is photographed here in a coastal stream, a habitat where it can cohabit with the Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus).
Family: Bufonidae
The Balearic green toad (Bufotes viridis subsp. balearicus). This toad, the only Bufonidae in Corsica, is easily recognizable by its green markings on a cream background. It occurs mostly at low altitude, where it spends the day away from heat under a stone. During the breeding season in spring, it can be observed in coastal ponds where it emits buzzing sounds reminiscent of an insect. The subspecies Bufotes viridis subsp. viridis occurs in France in the north-east, while B. viridis subsp. balearicus is found in Corsica, Sardinia, Italy and the Balearic islands.
Molluscs
Family: Helicidae
Marmorana serpentina. This beautiful snail is identified by its brown zig-zag bands. It is found in Corsica near the coast, especially in the south of the island. Present in its natural state in Corsica and Sardinia, it has been introduced in Southern France and in Italy (Tuscany).
Family: Patellidae
The ribbed Mediterranean limpet (Patella ferruginea). This shellfish, one of the most threatened of the Mediterranean, is found in France only in a few spot in Corsica and in the Hyères islands. It is identified by its large size (up to 3 inches) and the deep grooves on its shell. This species is fully protected in France.
Family: Cymbuliidae
Sea butterfly (Cymbulia peronii). This amazing, 6-cm-long structure sometimes found on Corsican beaches is the cartilaginous "pseudoconch" of a pelagic sea snail. This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Cnidaria
This phyllum includes corals, jellyfish and sea anemones.
Family: Porpitidae
The sea raft (Velella velella). These strange creatures looking like small jellyfishes are washed up each spring on Corsican beaches by millions. Each of these cnidarians is in fact a colony containing different kinds of specialized polyps. The triangular chitinous sail, oriented sideways, allows propagation thanks to the wind. These animals are completely harmless to humans. The sea raft is found in all seas of the globe, both temperate and tropical.
Echinoderms
This phyllum includes sea urchins, starfish and sea cucumbers.
Family: Brissidae
Sea urchin (Brissus unicolor). This sea urchin reaches 10 cm in length, with a flattened ovoid shape. It is covered with a dense network of long spines looking like a greyish or brownish fur. Brissus unicolor leaves buried in the sand. Rarely seen alive, its presence is detected by the tests (shells) found washed on the beaches such as seen here. This species is restricted to the Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic (Azores, Canary islands, Cape Verde).
Orthopterans
Family: Acrididae / Sub-Family: Gomphocerinae
Dociostaurus jagoi subsp. occidentalis. This small grasshopper has a white "x" pattern on the top of the pronotum. It is found in dry areas. Present in Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula and France), it is found in France on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, as well as in Corsica.
Family: Acrididae / Sub-Family: Locustinae
Acrotylus braudi. This small grasshopper appreciates dry grounds devoid of vegetation, including beaches. The wings, visible in flight, are red which allows to differentiate it from Sphingonotus uvarovi (see below), another Corsican endemic found in the same habitat.
Sphingonotus uvarovi. This tiny grasshopper is also found on beaches and sandy areas near the coast. The wings are delicately tinted with blue. It occurs only in Corsica.
Aiolopus thalassinus subsp. corsicus. This nice grasshopper is usually greenish with red posterior tibia, and the white markings on the elytra typical of the Aiolopus genus. This subspecies is restricted to Corsica, where it occurs in wetlands near the coast.
Family: Acrididae / Sub-Family: Eyprepocnemidinae
The lamenting grasshopper (Eyprepocnemis plorans). This medium-sized grasshopper has characteristic striped eyes, and tricolored posterior femurs with a yellowish stripe. It is usually found in wetlands. This species occurs in Africa, Middle East and Southern Europe. In France, it is only present in Corsica.
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Family: Buprestidae
Anthaxia dimidiata. Anthaxia are small, generally brightly-colored jewel beetles. There are many species in France, often difficult to identify. Anthaxia dimidiata is found in Southwest Europe and North Africa. Its larvae feed on olive branches, while the adults visit flowers.
Family: Carabidae
Tiger beetle (Calomera littoralis subsp. quadripunctata). This very agile small carnivorous beetle dwells on sand beaches, where it hunts for preys using its excellent eyesight. The long hairs underneath the eye are distinctive of this species. This tiger beetle occurs from Europe to North Africa and Mongolia. In France, the subspecies quadripunctata is restricted to Corsica.
The Corsican tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris subsp. nigrita). This species is widespread in sandy areas near the sea. Like all tiger beetles, once disturbed it rapidly flies over a few meters before landing again. Corsican populations (subspecies nigrita) display an unusually high proportion of melanic (black colored) individuals, as displayed on this photo.
The Corsican tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris subsp. nigrita).
The forest caterpillar hunter (Calosoma sycophanta). This large ground-beetle has a distinctively broad body and metallic bright red-green elytra. It is a tree-dwelling species which flies very well, and a ferocious hunter of large caterpillars. Fairly rare on the continent, it is locally abundant in Corsica, especially during periodic outbreaks in caterpillar populations such as those of the Gipsy moth (Lymantria dispar).
Family: Chrysomelidae
Chrysolina peregrina. This beetle has a bronze-colored body and red legs. It differs from C. bankii, very similar and also present in Corsica, by its trapezoidal pronotum with almost smooth marginal bulges. It feeds mainly on wild fennel. Chrysolina peregrina is a species restricted to the western Mediterranean Basin.
The rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana). This species is easily identified by its colors and the ornamentation of its elytra bearing very clear lines of dots grouped in pairs. It feeds mainly on rosemary and lavender. As its latin name does not indicate, it originates from the Mediterranean Basin.
Labidostomis taxicornis. This small, bright orange beetle is sometimes abundant on the Corsican coast in spring, during the breeding season. It is found in south-western Europe, and in France only along the Mediterranean coast.
Timarcha sardea. This is the only species of the genus Timarcha in Corsica, where it is found in the south of the island. This beetle is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Family: Tenebrionidae
Pimelia payraudi. Corsica harbors many original species of darkling beetles. Pimelia payraudi frequents sandy areas near the coast. It is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Akis bacarozzo. This quite large, armored beetle is found in rocky and sandy habitats. It occurs in Provence, Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic islands and Italy.
Asida corsica subsp. corsica. Asida are small, mainly nocturnal beetles, found during the day under stones. No less than eight species are present in Corsica, most of them endemics. Asida corsica corsica, found mainly near the coast, seems to be the most widespread.
Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Family: Coenagrionidae
The island bluetail damselfly (Ischnura genei). This damselfly is the only member of its genus in Corsica. It is a Tyrrhenian endemic, found in Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Capri.
Family: Lestidae
The dark spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma). This beautiful damselfly has an extended blue pruinescence on the thorax and tip of the abdomen. The pterostigmas (colored cells on the wingtips) are large and black. In France, this species lives in the coastal ponds of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, environments that are vanishing. It is therefore classified by the IUCN as “endangered” in France and “vulnerable” in Europe.
Family: Libellulidae
The scarce chaser (Libellula fulva). In this dragonfly species, the female and juvenile male have an orange abdomen (that of the adult male is blue). This European species is relatively widespread in France, in wetlands with well developed vegetation.
Trithemis annulata. The male of this spectacular species is identified by its flattened and purplish abdomen. Originally from tropical Africa, this dragonfly has moved north and now inhabits the entire Mediterranean Basin.
Neuroptera
Family: Ascalaphidae
Libelloides ictericus subsp. corsicus. This small, weakly-contrasted owlfly is difficult to spot in flight. It is found in coastal meadows in spring. The subspecies corsicus is restricted to Corsica and Sardinia.
True bugs (Hemiptera)
Family: Pentatomidae
Graphosoma semipunctatum. This large striped bug can be distinguished from its more widespread cousin Graphosoma italicum by the black spots (instead of stripes) on the pronotum. The two species, which sometimes cohabit, enjoy the fruiting inflorescences of umbellifers (here Ferula communis). Graphosoma semipunctatum is a Mediterranean species, found in southern France.
Flies (Diptera)
Family: Bombyllidae
Chalcochiton holosericea (male). This curious little fly frequents dry, sandy areas devoid of vegetation. The male, shown here, has a ring of bluish hairs on its abdomen. The female, below, has several whitish rings. This local species is found in France (Corsica), Italy (Sardinia), Spain and Morocco.
Chalcochiton holosericea (female).
Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)
Family: Lycaenidae
Plebejus bellieri. This pretty little butterfly, formerly a subspecies of Plebejus idas, is found in Corsica, Sardinia and Elba. The large black spots on the hindwings are characteristic.
Family: Nymphalidae / Sub-Family: Satyrinae
The Corsican heath (Coenonympha corinna). This heath is very common in the coastal maquis of Corsica in spring, as well as in the mountains. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia and Capraia.
Arachnids
Family: Theridiidae
The Mediterranean black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus). This spider has a black abdomen with in principle thirteen red spots on the dorsal part, hence its latin name. This ornamentation is very variable, and sometimes covers most of the abdomen. It is probably the only European species whose bite is potentially dangerous for humans. It lives hidden under rocks and in old stone walls, at low altitude. This Mediterranean species ranges from Spain to Central Asia. In France it occurs in the south, including Corsica where it is quite common.
Crustaceans
Family: Porcellionidae
Porcellio spatulatus. This characteristic-looking woodlouse is only known from Corsica and Sardinia. In Corsica, it seems to be found mainly in the coastal rocks of the south of the island. It is also a popular species with terrarium enthusiasts.
The mountains
Nino lake. This scenic lake, located on the GR20 hikking route, is famous for its ''pozzines'', marshy meadows rich in rare plant species. In the background, the Rotondo massif.
Fauna
Reptiles
Family: Natricidae
The Corsican barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica subsp. corsa). This beautiful snake often exhibits extended dark markings on the head. Aquatic, it is found in streams from sea level to the mountains. Endemic to Corsica, it is classified by the IUCN as "near threatened".
Family: Lacertidae
Bedriaga's rock lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae). This lizard is identified by its characteristic green and black mottled pattern. It is mainly found on rocks and walls in mountains, but also locally at sea level. This species is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Bedriaga's rock lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae). During the mating period, males display a few bright blue scales on their flanks.
Amphibians
Family: Alytidae
The Corsican painted frog (Discoglossus montalentii). This small frog is restricted to Corsica, where it is rather rare. It appreciates clear mountain streams. It looks very similar to the Tyrrhenian painted frog (Discoglossus sardus), also occurring in Corsica, who prefers ponds and rivers at lower elevation. Seen from the side, the Corsican painted frog has a rounder snout.
The Corsican painted frog (Discoglossus montalentii) in its habitat. This photo shows how mimic this frog can be, with the green, brown and white patches of its skin perfectly merging with the surroundings of granite stones.
Family: Hylidae
The Sardinian tree frog (Hyla sarda). This individual, found in a mountain stream pool, exhibits an unusual coloration achieving a perfect camouflage against the lichen-covered granite wall.
Family: Salamandridae
The Corsican fire salamander (Salamandra corsica). This salamander is a Corsican endemic. It typically lives in mountain forests, up to 1800 m of altitude. This juvenile, showing orange (instead of yellow) patches, was found in a small mountain lake.
The Corsican brook salamander (Euproctus montanus). This is a small, slender salamander, with a brown color and a reddish line along the spine. It is found mostly in mountains, in woods near streams. It is a Corsican endemic.
The Corsican brook salamander (Euproctus montanus), aquatic phase.
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Family: Meloidae
Oil beetle (Meloe cicatricosus). Oil beetles are strange large beetles with short elytra revealing a soft and swollen abdomen. Their larvae parasitize the nests of solitary bees. Meloe cicatricosus is found in southern Europe, from Spain to Russia.
Family: Tenebrionidae
Asida lepidoptera. This species is found in rocky, mountainous terrain. It is endemic to the Alta Rocca region, north-east of Sartène.
Butteflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)
Family: Erebidae
Ocnogyna corsica. The males of this very small moth fly low over mountain grasslands. The females have atrophied wings and cannot fly. This species is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Flora
Family: Asteraceae
Helichrysum frigidum. This delicate plant, endemic to Corsica and Sardinia, grows in cracks of granite walls in mountains up to 2700 m. It flowers in July-August.
Family: Berberidaceae
Berberis aetnensis. This barberry, which reaches 60 cm in height, has branches covered with strong thorns. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Italy.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia hyberna subsp. insularis. This spurge forms large, light green clumps. The flowering plant emits a penetrating fragrance. It is often found near small mountain streams or near sheepfolds. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia and northern Italy.
Family: Fabaceae
Anthyllis hermanniae subsp. corsica. This unusual Anthyllis forms bushes with small yellow flowers spotted with orange. He is native to the eastern Mediterranean, from Italy to Turkey. The corsica subspecies is endemic to Corsica and Gorgona.
Family: Iridaceae
Crocus minimus. This beautiful little plant belongs, together with the Corsican crocus (Crocus corsicus) shown below, to the two Corso-Sardinian endemic species of crocus. Both species grow in mountains, sometimes together, and flower in spring. Crocus minimus is readily identified by the golden color of its stigmas.
The Corsican crocus (Crocus corsicus). Abundant in the mountains in spring, this species has red stigmas. It is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia.
Romulea revelieri. This species differs from Requien's romulea (Romulea requienii) by the inner part of the corolla which is paler than the rest of the flower, and the short stigma not longer than the stamen. Contrary to other Corsican Romulea species, mainly found near the coast, Romulea revelieri also grows in mountains. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia and Capraia.
Family: Lentibulariaceae
The Corsican butterwort (Pinguicula corsica). This butterwort, the only species of the genus in Corsica, is very common along mountain streams as well as in the wetlands of pozzines. It is a carnivorous plant, which compensates for the lack of nutrients in the environments where it grows by digesting insects trapped by its sticky leaves. It is endemic to Corsica.
Family: Orchidaceae
Dactylorhiza insularis. This nice orchid has characteristic pale yellow flowers with a few purple spots on the labellum. It grows on acidic soils, usually on relatively shady rocky slopes. This species is scarce in France, occuring only in Corsica and Aude. It's range includes Spain, Portugal, Morrocco, France and Italy.
Platanthera algeriensis. This rare species has distinctive green flowers with diverging pollen masses. It is present in the Atlas, in Spain, Italy and France (in the Eastern Pyrenees, the Alpes-Maritimes and in Corsica).
Family: Ranunculaceae
Aquilegia bernardii. This columbine with pale purple flowers appreciates shady rocky areas in the mountains. Endemic to Corsica, it is found in the main massifs of the island, above 1000 m altitude.
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scrophularia trifoliata. This large plant is characterized by its large flowers finely dotted with black. It grows in forests and along streams, up to 1300 m altitude. It is endemic to Corsica, Sardinia, and some islands of the Tuscan archipelago.