| Autor: |
Bernabò I; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, I-87036 Rende, Italy., Iannella M; Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy., Cittadino V; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, I-87036 Rende, Italy.; Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy., Corapi A; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, I-87036 Rende, Italy., Romano A; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per la BioEconomia, Via dei Taurini 19, I-00100 Roma, Italy., Andreone F; Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy., Biondi M; Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy., Gallo Splendore M; Museo del Castagno, Via V. Emanuele, I-87013 Fagnano Castello, Italy., Tripepi S; Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, I-87036 Rende, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
The Calabrian Alpine newt ( Ichthyosaura alpestris inexpectata ) is a glacial relict with small and extremely localised populations in the Catena Costiera (Calabria, Southern Italy) and is considered to be "Endangered" by the Italian IUCN assessment. Climate-induced habitat loss and recent fish introductions in three lakes of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Laghi di Fagnano threaten the subspecies' survival in the core of its restricted range. Considering these challenges, understanding the distribution and abundance of this newt is crucial. We surveyed the spatially clustered wetlands in the SAC and neighbouring areas. First, we provide the updated distribution of this subspecies, highlighting fish-invaded and fishless sites historically known to host Calabrian Alpine newt populations and two new breeding sites that have been recently colonised. Then, we provide a rough estimate of the abundance, body size and body condition of breeding adults and habitat characteristics in fish-invaded and fishless ponds. We did not detect Calabrian Alpine newts at two historically known sites now invaded by fish. Our results indicate a reduction in occupied sites and small-size populations. These observations highlight the need for future strategies, such as fish removal, the creation of alternative breeding habitats and captive breeding, to preserve this endemic taxon. |
