Strasbourg, 26 October 2006 T-PVS/Inf (2006) 17 [Inf17e_2006.doc] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 26th meeting Strasbourg, 27-30 November 2006 __________ Action Plan for the Conservation of the Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Species Complex in Europe Document prepared by Paul Edgar* and David R. Bird *c/o The Herpetological Conservation Trust 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4AP, UK E-mail: [email protected] This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2006) 17 - 2 - CONTENTS A. CRESTED NEWT SPECIES COMPLEX – SPECIES ACTION PLAN SUMMARY .............................. 3 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3 2. Rationale............................................................................................................................................3 3. Objectives ..........................................................................................................................................4 4. Recommended Actions....................................................................................................................4 Table 1: Urgent Priority Actions for the Crested Newt Species Complex ................................................4 B. CRESTED NEWT SPECIES COMPLEX – SPECIES ACTION PLAN.......................................................6 1. INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................6 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...........................................................................................................7 2.1. Systematics...............................................................................................................................................................7 2.2. Summary of the Crested Newt Species Complex ...........................................................................................8 2.3. Description....................................................................................................................................................................10 2.4. Life History...............................................................................................................................................................11 2.5. Distribution and Status........................................................................................................................................13 2.6. Threats.......................................................................................................................................................................18 2.7. Current Protection....................................................................................................................................................21 2.8. Recent Conservation Actions ................................................................................................................................21 3. ACTION PLAN GOAL AND OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................................23 3.1. Overall Goal .................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2. Objectives......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 4. ACTIONS REQUIRED..............................................................................................................................................................23 4.1. Habitat Protection....................................................................................................................................................23 4.2. Habitat Management...............................................................................................................................................24 4.3. Species Protection ...................................................................................................................................................25 4.4. Species Management ..............................................................................................................................................25 4.5. Distribution Surveys................................................................................................................................................26 4.6. Population and Conservation Status Monitoring.............................................................................................26 4.7. Scientific Research..................................................................................................................................................27 4.8. Improved Liaison and Coordination.....................................................................................................................27 4.9. Public Awareness.........................................................................................................................................................28 5. REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................28 Figure 1: Male Northern Crested Newt Triturus cristatus....................................................................4 Map 1: Distribution of the Northern Crested Newt Triturus cristatus in Europe ..............................8 Map 2: Distribution of the Italian Crested Newt Triturus carnifex in Europe ...................................9 Map 3: Distribution of the Danube Crested Newt Triturus dobrogicus in Europe.............................9 Map 4: Distribution of the Southern Crested Triturus karelinii in Europe ........................................10 - 3 - T-PVS/Inf (2006) 17 PART A. CRESTED NEWT SPECIES COMPLEX –SPECIES ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 1. Introduction The crested newt (Triturus cristatus) species complex is widespread in Europe but has suffered severe declines in most of the 37 known range countries. This Action Plan has been commissioned by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in order to assess the extent of the problems faced by this “superspecies” in Europe and to make appropriate recommendations to address these. This section, Part A, summarizes the need for this Species Action Plan and highlights the most urgent priority actions required. Further actions and much additional information can be found in Part B, the main body of the Species Action Plan. 2. Rationale The crested newt species complex is distributed widely across most of Europe, with the exception of Ireland, the Iberian Peninsula and southwest France. Four species are currently recognized in the Triturus cristatus complex: • Northern crested newt Triturus cristatus - northern and central Europe, eastwards to Russia • Italian crested newt Triturus carnifex - Italy, southern central Europe and the western Balkans • Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus - Danube floodplain and Delta and the Pannonian region • Southern Crested Newt Triturus karelinii - eastern Balkans, Crimea, Caucasus, northern Turkey These species occur in a total of 37 countries between them, although the only country where all four can be found is Serbia. The ranges of the four species do not actually overlap but some hybridisation and intergradation is known from the limited contact zones between them. Crested newts occupy a wide range of habitats from the Atlantic, and the far north of Europe, to the shores of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas. They are mainly found in lowland areas in the north of the range, but occupy more mountainous habitats further south. In general, however, all require diverse terrestrial habitats, particularly woodland and agricultural land, which contain a variety of small, still water bodies (usually ponds and ditches) that are used as aquatic breeding habitat. Although not internationally threatened, all crested newt species have suffered severe declines in many parts of their respective ranges and are listed as vulnerable, threatened or endangered in many national Red Data Books. Threats to all species include direct habitat destruction and fragmentation, habitat degradation, pollution, introduced species (especially predatory fish), lack of pond management, flood control measures and a variety of other, localised problems. The Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus has the smallest range and, due to extensive habitat loss, is the most at risk. It is not known what effects climate change will have on the crested newt species, although it will be difficult for the more isolated populations to adapt. All four species are listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention, and, in the European Union, on Annexes II and IVa of the Habitats and Species Directive, and receive protection in all of the countries covered by this Action Plan. However, the majority of crested newt populations occur outside of any protected areas. Despite being among the most intensively studied amphibian species in Europe, only limited conservation work has taken place for these species, with Triturus cristatus and Triturus