Salamander, Euproctus Platycephalus, (Iucn, 2000)

HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 13, pp. 125-133 (2003) GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENDEMIC SARDINIAN BROOK SALAMANDER, EUPROCTUS PLA TYCEPHALUS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ITS CONSERVATION ROBERTA LECIS AND KEN NORRIS School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, University of Reading, Wh iteknights, PO Box 228, Reading, RG6 6AJ, UK The Sardinian brook salamander, Euproctus pl�tycephalus, is a cryptically coloured urodele found in streams, springs and pools in the main mountain systems of Sardinia, and is classified as critically endangered by IUCN. General reviews of the mountainous range where salamanders occur are numerous, but very fewfield-based dis tribution studies exist on this endemic species. Through a fieldand questionnaire survey, conducted between 1999 and 200 I, we report a first attempt to increase data on the present distribution of E. platycephalus. A total of 14 localities where Sardinian salamanders are represented by apparently stable and in some cases abundant populations have been identified,as well as 30 sites where species presence has been recorded after 1991. Some 11 historical sites were identifiedwhich are no longer inhabited by the species. The implications of this distributional study for the conservation of the species and for the realization of an updated atlas are discussed. Keywords: amphibian decline, island endemic, range, Sardinian mountain newt INTRODUCTION Aleher ( 197 5) undertook a detailed field investigation listing a total of 45 sites where the species' presence was The genus Euproctus (Urodela, Amphibia) consists recorded, as adults or larvae. Puddu pub of three endemic species. The Corsican brook salaman et al. (1988) lished a general distribution map ofthe species in which der E. montanus is found on the island of Corsica and its range basically overlaps with the mountainous areas the Pyrenean brook salamander E. asper lives in the Pyr of the island. Other distribution surveys and biblio enees between France and Spain. The Sardinian graphic sources do not add any information to the salamander E. platycephalus is a slender, cryptically picture already described by these authors (Bruno, coloured endemic that inhabits pools and streams in the Rimpp, mountains of Sardinia . The conservation status of the 1980; 1998). Knowing the distribution of a particular species is a three Euproctus species is listed as 'strictly protected key issue in studies of theoretical and applied ecology, fauna species' within the Bern Convention (1998). E. biodiversity and metapopulation biology (Cowley et al., platycephalus is classifiedby IUCNas critically endan Besides beinga fundamentalgoal in ecology, de gered, on the basis of its endemism and of an estimated 2000). scribing and explaining the distribution of endangered population reduction of 80% over the last 10 years species has maj or significance for their conservation (IUCN,2000). (Beebee, There is still little informationconcern Habitat loss could be one of the main threats to 1996). ing amphibian distributions and their relevance to the Sardinian salamanders, due to a long period of drought conservation management of threatened or declining over the island (which caused a waterdeficit of-46.6% populations. These field-based surveys should be com compared to the island's water requirements in 2000: bined with attempts to identify critical distribution Regione Sardegna 2000), resulting in small rivers and determinants for a particular species. streams being completely or partially dry during the Some widespread amphibians such as Triturus spe summer months. Remaining salamander habitats have cies, and in Britain, and become fragmented and sometimes threatened by an Rana temporaria Bufo calamita endemics such as in Portugal, thropogenic disturbance, pollution and eutrophication. Chioglossa lusitanica been extensively studied and their distribution Predation and/or competitiondue to the introduction of have documented with finely-scaled maps (Beebee, 1996; non-native species, such as Salmo trutta, which have Teixeira Another example is given by been implicated as a threat to other salamanders (Read, et al., 2001). Delaguerre & Cheylan (1992), who present a detailed 1998; Tyler et al., 1998; Knapp & Matthews,2000), are atlas of the Corsican herpetofauna, in which further contributing factors that threaten the long-term E. distribution is described. Althoughthe distri survival of the species. montanus bution map is not confirmed by recent field survey, it This salamander is knownto live inthe easternpart of gives fundamental information for furtherstu dies. Many Sardinia, in the main mountain systems: Limbara in the other amphibian species, some of them rare or endan north, Gennargentu in the centre, and Sette Fratelli, gered (such as the Sardinian salamander), need similar Gerrei and Sarrabus in the south (Colomo, 1999). high-resolution distributionstudies. This paper presents an assessment of the distribution Correspondence: R. Lecis, Via Cagna n.66, 09 126, Cagliari, Italy. E-mail:[email protected] of E. platycephalus, using data collected during a field 126 R. LECIS AND K. NORRIS survey across the geographic range of the species over floraand fauna and are able to give accounts of salaman three years of research, conducted to identify locations der presence or absence. The questionnaire was that currently hold salamander populations. Reports of distributedto 79 forest stations all over the island in July apparent population declines in the species are dis 2000, in order to collect records of salamander distribu cussed, and information on its geographical distribution tion (Table l ). A coloured photograph and a description is used to assess potential threats to its persistence and of the species were supplied too. As there is only one long-term survival in various parts of its range. other urodele found in Sardinia (the cave salamander Sp eleomantes sp.) which occupies a different habitat METHODS fromE. p/atycephalus, foreststation accounts were con FIELDWORK SEASONS sidered highly reliable. Distribution data were collected during fieldwork SELECTION OF SURVEY SITES seasons in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Fieldwork usually started in mid-April and finishedin late July or August. The distribution survey was designed to identify This generally corresponded with the main breeding streams supporting salamander populations at present, season of the species (Puddu et al., 1988). Spring in Sar covering as evenly as possible the three areas of the east dinia is usually mild and sunny with low precipitation ern part of the island: south, centre and north. Survey (Delitala et al., 2000). With summer approaching, water sites were selected by combining three main sources of in the stream-beds diminishes gradually until most of the information: personal field trips to various sites during streams consist of a number of pools, either isolated or the fieldworkseaso ns followingthe suggestions oflocal connected by very small water channels. people and exploration of the territory; the collection of The 1999 fieldseason focused on documenting the replies to the E. platycepha/us questionnaire; literature large scale distribution and typical habitat of the ani reviews (Alcher, 1975; Puddu et al., 1988; Schenk et al., mals. At the end of it, six study sites were identified 1995; Rimpp 1998). Out of 55 distribution survey sites, throughout the eastern part of the island (south, centre 51% were visited during the field seasons (with local and north) and five sites surveyed in the south-west. collaborators and forest station workers, or on our own During the 2000 field season, 14 sites were visited, in initiative) and the remaining 49% were obtained from cluding the six already known, and a questionnaire was the questionnaire replies and the distributional informa distributed to forestry stations. In 2001, all known sites tion existent at the beginning of this study. were re-visited, and 18 new sites (four in the south-west and 14 in the rest of the island) were surveyed, most of SALAMANDER SURVEYS these suggested by replies to the Forestali questionnaire. The selected streams were surveyed for salamander presence at least once during each field season. The FOREST ALI QUESTIONNAIRE method used to assess E. platycephalus presence in a The Corpo Forestale e di Vigilanza Ambientale is a particular site was a careful observation of the chosen regional body in charge of controlling Sardinian terri stream-bed at different altitudes, and in pools scattered tory, water courses and forests (equivalent to a forestry along the water course. Searches took from 3-6 hrs, not service). The island territory is divided into a number of considering the time necessary to reach the site. Ap districts, each one under the control of a forest station. proximately 1 km of the water course was walked by a The area is extensively patrolled by 'Forestali' workers, team of three/fourpeople going upstream.In most cases, who usually have an excellent knowledge of the local salamander presence was immediately confirmed as TABLE I. Text in English of the questionnaire distributed to foreststations in July 2000. QUESTIONNAIRE ON EUPROCTUS PLA TYCEPHALUS 2000 Forest Station: Villages and Districts included: According to the fieldexperience ofForestali personnel and their knowledge of territory and local fauna, is the species present in this area? If yes, has it been observed recently? When (year and month)? Where (locality, stream, ifpossibile IGM coordinates)? If it bas not been observed

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